i have searched already on this forum. its a single overhead cam, fuel injection engine. i want to replace the water pump myself in a few days. (1) is it pretty easy to do? (2) do i have to mess with the timing belt? it looks like it runs off the alternator belt and not the timing belt. (3) anyone have any tips i could use? or any other information would be greatly appreciated...thank you for your time...

 

And i was just about to sign off......I kind of like the 3rd gens, so I had to reply...sorry.

1. Not sure of your skill level so I can't really answer this one? For me, yes. I've done it and taught two sons how to do this.

2. No. You can change the WP without "messing" with the TB. However, when was the belt last changed?

3. Got several...really want to know the answer to #2 first...sorry, don't think I'm holding out, just want to be sure......

 

I would download a shop manual from the links posted in the Online Manuals thread in the DIY section. There is a manual that covers 86-89 and should give you step by step instructions.

 

thanx poorman for your response. it was changed about 20,000 miles ago. its a 89 lxi with 141,000 miles. ive notice the waterpump is starting to drip pretty steady the last 3 days or so. everything else with the car works excellent though.

 

Ok, if you are up to this I can help? Again, I have to ask what you've done with cars before?

IMO, the 3rd gen's don't die. Something has to cause their death. So I do everything I can to keep them on the road.

Let me know about #1? Then it will be tomorrow before I can help more...need sleep......

...I wish I had one with such low miles....all of mine (86-89) are 195K +

 

i hear you about the sleep. i'm still up reading this forum .... i can do the basic maintenance items (oil change, brakes, belts (not timing belt though) etc...). i just never had a chance to change a water pump, but nows the time. i have been researching for the last 2 days about this and it looks like i found the right website and person. i called a couple of shops here in town and asked them if i needed to mess with the timing belt. all of them said yes and that its run by the timing belt, but ive seen the diagrams on the internet and it seems like its not. so hopefully i can do this myself and learn something new. looking forward to hearing from you soon....thanx again....

 

Not sure if we can do this on the forum, MOD's-please let me know or PM me. It might get a little involved-long.

First get a manual, I'm not going to quote this with torque spec's and that but rather tell you which steps you can skip and which ones to add. You are correct that the alt belt drives the wp. Many will tell you it is easier to pull the lower cover and that to do this vs what I can walk you thru.

Again, ONLY do this if you know the T-belt is in good condition. I've done this before @ 10~15K after a t-belt change only because some dummy (me) had the alt belt too tight and wore out the bearing(s) in the water pump. Another time - 6~8 months ago - I had to do this on the 89 LXi I bought. The PO had the belt changed but didn't do the pump.....got it cheap because the pump was bad and he was being quoted the whole job to repair it, he said forget it....

The 88 LXi will be home all weekend so I can walk outside to refresh my memory.