Removal Procedure
- Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
- Remove the battery tray. Refer to Battery Tray Replacement in Engine Electrical.
- Reposition the underhood accessory wiring junction block for access.
- Loosen the water pump pulley bolts.
- Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
- Remove the water pump pulley bolts.
- Remove the water pump pulley.
- Remove the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pump Pulley Replacement in Power Steering System.
- Remove the drive belt idler pulley bolt.
- Remove the drive belt idler pulley.
- Remove the drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement .
- Remove the engine front cover coolant drain plug and drain the coolant from the engine.
- Remove the water pump bolts.
- Remove the water pump drive belt shield.
- Remove the water pump and the housing (3) from the front cover (1).
- Remove the water pump gasket (2). Use a plastic scraper to remove any excess gasket material.
- Remove the crankshaft balancer. Refer to Crankshaft Balancer Replacement .
- Remove the 10 front cover perimeter bolts.
- Remove the front cover and the gasket. Make sure you do not damage the sealing surface. Some of the gasket material may remain on the engine block.
- Remove the remaining gasket material from the front cover and engine block using a plastic scraper.
- Clean and inspect the engine front cover. Refer to Engine Front Cover Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L Unit Repair.
Important: The water pump and housing are one unit and must be serviced as an assembly.
Do not damage the sealing surface.
Installation Procedure
- Place a short bead of RTV sealant, GM P/N 12345739, (Canadian P/N 10953541) or equivalent, on the cylinder block in the locations shown (1).
- Align front cover gasket to the front cover bolt holes and insert 2 bolts to hold the gasket in position.
- Install the front cover gasket and the front cover to the cylinder block.
- Install the front cover bolts.
- Install a new crankshaft front oil seal. Refer to Crankshaft Front Oil Seal Replacement .
- Install the crankshaft balancer. Refer to Crankshaft Balancer Replacement .
- Install a new water pump gasket (2) to the water pump (3).
- Install the water pump gasket and the water pump to the front cover.
- Install the water pump bolts.
- Install the engine front cover coolant drain plug.
- Install the drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement .
- Install the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pump Pulley Replacement in Power Steering System.
- Install the drive belt idler pulley.
- Install the drive belt idler pulley bolt.
- Install the water pump pulley.
- Install the water pump pulley bolts.
- Install the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
- Install the underhood accessory wiring junction block.
- Install the battery tray. Refer to Battery Tray Replacement in Engine Electrical.
- Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts in the sequence shown to 14 N·m (124 lb in).
Tighten
Tighten the bolts in the sequence shown to 14 N·m (124 lb in).
Tighten
Tighten the plug to 10 N·m (89 lb in).
Tighten
Tighten the bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 12 N·m (106 lb in).
