95 3.4L water pump install...tips and tricks needed ....w/in

[vandelay101]

Well guys..

I'm pretty sure my water pump is bad. I reached behind the pulley to the weep hole and my fingers got all wet. Shop states it's a 4 hour job and wants 400-500..REDICULOUS.

I can get an AC delco pump for $126 including tax where I work. Aftermarket probably cheaper but I had whoes from my aftermarket alternator install.

Anyway..I've changed spark plugs on my car, alternator twice, and put a new tension pulley on. This couldn't be that much work.

This is what I picked up so far from the forums, but would like some more input from all that have experience with this.

Here's what I got so far:

1.Unbolt and move the power steering bracket and one coil of the coil pack (on 3.4L)
2.Detach the coolant hoses from the water pump. (after draining the system)
3. Unbolt the water pump pulley, and unbolt the water pump.
For installation, make sure all of the old gasket is off the block before you put the new one on, and make sure to use some silicon sealant on both sides of the gasket for proper sealing.


Thanks guys all all your help to save me some cash will be appreciated.

Robert O.
1995 Camaro 3.4L

[BiH]

I think thats kind of expensive for a pump,you could get one for around $40

[shock_core]

man, if u had a 3.8, i could help you out big time... I dont know much about the 3.4, although it might be the same, it might not .... sry dude :\

On the 3.8 all you had to do was put a pan under the car to catch the coolant. You just unbolted the water pump, took off all the left over gasket, put a new gasket with the new water pump on and bolted it back on... then just fill yer coolant up again, I put new stuff in... Hope this sort of helps :\

[BiH]

it would be easier to go and buy a repair manual ;)

[vandelay101]

I probably will get a repair manual once I find out for sure what it is....still a bit iffy.

I took my waterpump pully off Saturday and what I think is the weephole did not look wet. Almost looked like the leak is coming from behind the pump. Someone told me it could be a front main seal leak or front cover leak..but I really don't know what to look for to diagnose that.

There is acutually a shop at the corner of my street that my neibors rave about so I may take it over there to get the sucker on a lift. I'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks guys,

Rob O
1995 Camaro 3.4

[camaroman1181]

well, its not as easy as it looks... there are a few bolts that are hidden and plain impossible to get at. took me like 5+ hrs to do from start to finish. Unless you know a trick that I dont, you should expect the same. if you can remove the power steering pump, you'll make it a lot easier. and yeah, you can get a pump for way less than 126.. check autozone and advanced.. they'll have it for around 30-40 or so... with a life time warrenty.... good luck with the project...
Phill

[black98V6]

well as far as the 3.4 goes from what I understand alot of those parts as the same on a 2.8 well I know the waterpump auctually bolts through the front cover on the 2.8 and the water flows through that cover into the block so it's like this. pump on top, then cover then block so you CAN get a leak between the cover and the block, I had this and yes it wasn't easy. had to remove the drive pulley for the belt that was the biggest pita, also was working under the hood of an 88 s-15 jimmy, once I pulled the radiator this gave me tons of room dunno what it's like under the hood of an f-bod dealing with that 3.4.

anyway that might be where your leak is coming from but to be honest I'd just swap the pump first and go from there. when it was leaking from the cover it was pretty obvious. that weep hole can be pretty strange, it'll close up for a while sometime, you'll think everything is fine then next thing you know you will have a puddle under the car.

[vandelay101]

I guess there are two weep holes. 1 on top for some reason and one on the bottom. I guess I assumed there was only one and the top one looked clean. That might explain why it seems like it is dripping under the pump. I put my hands right under the pulley and my finger tips get wet. Hopefully this is all that is wrong. I'd just hate to do the water pump and then it be something else.

Thanks again,

Rob

[94firebirdteal]

I replaced my water pump about two months ago, it is true there is a bunch of hidden bolts all over the place which are a pain. I got a brand new water pump with lifetime warranty for 40$ at Advance Auto parts, the shop i took it too wanted 240 for the job by the way, so dont pay 400!