Water Pump Removal & Install

We're going to cover removing a water pump from a 2000 Chevy Blazer, 4.3 6 Cyl Engine.
CAUTION: Working with coolant can be hazardous. Maintain a drip pan underneath the vehicle, and
wear protective equipment. (Goggles/Gloves) Dispose of coolant in an appropriate manner in
accordance with your state laws.

1. Remove the upper fan shroud. Remove the bolts along the forward frame, and the four bolts that mount to
the lower fan shroud. They are low torque and come off easily. Optional: The AC compressor can be
removed from its mount by removing the four bolts in each corner facing down. DO NOT DISCONNECT
THE HOSES. Remove the electrical connectors (2 ea) and then put the entire compressor off to the
passenger side of the vehicle, being careful not to kink or bend the hoses too much. (I do recommend this; it
makes things a lot easier not having to fight with the AC hoses)

2. Drain the coolant. Remove the radiator fill cap. Before disconnecting any radiator/heater hoses, drain the
radiator coolant by attaching a length of plastic tube to the drain cock on the bottom left side of the radiator.
The plastic plug has an internal hex socket in the center; which fits 3/16" allen key perfectly. Turn it CCW
until it stops. Do not force as you will break the fragile plastic. As you turn it, it will leak so be cautious.
The photos above can't show the plastic tube that fits on the drain opening that bleeds off to the right side of
the car. A length of about 3 feet, with 3/8" inner diameter clear plastic hose works perfect. Draining takes a
little while, and it does not completely drain your cooling system. It is recommended that you drain your
engine blocks, but I opted to skip this. (In not doing so will result in a liter or so of coolant to dump when
you disconnect the radiator hose from the water pump)

3. Remove the serpentine belt. Insert a 3/8" drive long ratchet or breaker bar into the socket on the tensioner
and rotate CCW to release tension on the belt. I also removed the tensioner and the extra pulley to give me
more room. (1/2" size bolts)
4. Remove the fan/clutch assembly. Not an easy task if you don't have the correct tools. I highly encourage
going to your nearest parts store that rents out special tools and using this. It will make your life a lot easier
disconnecting the fan/clutch assembly from the water pump. Loosen two bolts on the fan/clutch assembly
pulley; that are opposite each other, but do not remove. (1/2" size bolt heads)

The kit includes a long and thin spanner wrench, and a lever with another tong hinged on.

The two claws will fit on the shanks of the two loosened bolts. They should be lose enough so that the claws
of the lever fit snugly and do not easily slip out. Attach the spanner wrench to the center nut and losen.
Remove the fan and clutch assembly.
Step 5. Disconnect the radiator hose to the water pump. Many various clamps are used; mine are
compression type. Using a pair of channel locks, squeeze the two tabs together and it will open the clamp.
The hoses can be wiggled free if they arn't seized on. If they are, find an L shaped flat and thin piece of metal
to insert the hose and try to free it up. If its been years or over 50,000 miles since last hose swap, I suggest
just cutting them off and replacing the hoses.
Step 6. Remove the heater hoses from the water pump.

(make note of which one goes where)

Step 7. Unbolt the water pump. 4 aluminum mounting bolts hold the pump onto the engine; remove all four,
supporting the pump from the front to prevent it from ruining the threads of the bolts.
If you have removed all 4 bolts, and the pump will not come free, use a hammer and a wood block and gently
tap the pump until it is free.

Remove the four bolts holding the pulley onto the pump if you are replacing the pump. If not, leave it alone.
Do not tighten the two bolts yet, wait until after you have reinstalled the fan/clutch assembly.

Clean all gasket surfaces before remounting the water pump. Replace the water pump gaskets. You should
also check the mating surfaces for smoothness and make sure they are flat.

Installation is reverse of removal.