So Fix it

A vehicles water pump is used to push engine coolant through the cooling system to keep the engine from overheating. In the 1991 Honda Accord the engine itself, through the use of the timing belt, drives the water pump. If the water pump fails the engine could overheat and cause major damage. If this happens, the old water pump will need to be removed and replaced with a new one. In the 1991 Honda Accord, the water pump is located on the left side of the engine just behind the front left tire.

Instructions

Removal

1

Disconnect the battery from the motor by removing the cable going to the negative pole on the battery. This is to ensure that there is no electricity going to the car so nothing can short.

2

Empty the coolant from the engine by opening the plug in the bottom of the radiator. Let the coolant drain into a clean container so that it can be re-used after the installation of the new water pump.

3

Align the timing marks on the engine by turning the crankshaft until cylinder number one reaches top dead center (TDC) of the compression stroke. Take off the timing belt and make sure that the engine doesnt turn at any time during the removal or replacement process.

4

Unscrew the six bolts holding in the water pump, making sure to keep track of which hole each bolt came from. The bolt heads are 1 mm in diameter.

5

Pull the water pump and O-ring from the motor to complete the removal process.

Installation

6

Place some sealant on the rubber surface of the new water pump located near the bleed hole to protect it from tearing.

7

Insert the new O-ring and water pump into the spot where the old pump came from on the motor. Make sure that the holes for the bolts on the new pump are lined up with the holes on the motor.

8

Replace the six bolts on the new water pump. Use a torque wrench to tighten them to 9 ft.-lbs. of torque.

9

Replace the timing belt on the engine and pour the coolant from its container back into the radiator. Make sure the engine coolant is completely filled before starting your vehicle.

10

Reconnect the battery to the motor by connecting the negative wire to the negative battery terminal and start your vehicle. Check for any excessive leaking coming from the newly installed water pump. A small amount of fluid coming from the bleed hole is okay.

Water and motor oil are both liquids, but thats about all they have in common. Crude and ined oil contain dozens of different compounds, whereas pure water is composed of just hydrogen and oxygen molecules. However, the density of water can vary depending on whats in it.

Specific Gravity

The easiest way to compare the weights of oil and water is to examine their specific gravities. Specific gravity is a measurement used to compare the relative density of any substance to that of pure water when measured at one atmosphere of pressure (about 14.7 psi). Specific gravity is expressed as a percentage; a substance that has a specific gravity of 0.90 is 90 percent as dense as water, and one with a measurement of 1.10 weighs ten percent more than water. The materials temperature also plays a role, but doesnt affect this comparison much.

Oil vs. Water Density

Pure water is the erence point, so it has a specific gravity of 1.000. Salt is more dense than water, so seawater has a specific gravity of about 1.025, depending on the location. Crude oil density varies by location; "light" crude, such as that from Texas, measures at about 0.876, and heavier oils check in at 0.918. Refined oils, such as 5W-30 motor oil, are a bit lighter, at around 0.861.

Oil vs. Water Weight

Between its freezing point and about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, pure water weighs in at about 8.3 pounds per gallon and seawater weighs about 8.5 pounds (1.025 x 8.3 = 8.50) per gallon. Given their specific gravities, light crude weighs about 7.27 pounds per gallon, heavy crude weighs 7.61 pounds per gallon and ined motor oil checks in at about 7.14 pounds per gallon.

The Cummins B Series of engines are diesel engines for trucks and industrial applications. The six-cylinder, 5.9-liter version has appeared in Dodge Ram trucks since 1989. These engines are turbocharged and require an effective cooling system to prevent the engine from overheating. The water pump in a Cummins 5.9-liter diesel engine is on the front of the engine, below the cooling fan. The replacement of the water pump in this engine requires the removal of additional components.

Instructions

1

Remove the cable from the negative terminal of both batteries with a socket wrench. Place a drain pan under the radiator drain and remove the drain plug. Wait for the coolant to drain from the radiator and replace the drain plug.

2

Detach the electrical connectors from the air temperature sensor and the mass airflow sensor if your vehicle is so equipped. Detach the inlet tube for the turbocharger and remove the housing for the air filter with a socket wrench. Remove the alternator assembly.

3

Rotate the tensioner assembly clockwise with a long-handled wrench to relieve the tension on the accessory drive belt, then disconnect the belt. Remove the mounting bolts for the water pump with a socket wrench and disconnect the water pump from the engine. Remove and discard the O-ring from the water pump.

4

Install a new O-ring onto its mounting groove on the water pump. Install the water pump so that the weep hole on the water pump faces down. Torque the mounting bolts for the water pump to 18 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

5

Install the accessory drive belt with a long-handled wrench. Connect the alternator assembly and torque its mounting bolts to 30 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Install the air filter housing and attach the inlet tube for the turbocharger. Attach the electrical connectors to the air temperature sensor and mass airflow sensor.

6

Refill the radiator with coolant and connect the cables to the negative battery terminals with a socket wrench. Start the engine and allow it to warm up. Check and correct any coolant leaks.

The Town & Country is a family minivan sold by Chrysler since 1990. It is a luxury version of the Chrysler Voyager. The 2006 model is a fourth-generation Town & Country, which was manufactured from 2001 to 2006. This vehicle was available with a six-cylinder 3.3-liter engine or a six-cylinder 3.8-liter engine. The water pump in these vehicles is accessible from the engine compartment and the replacement procedure for the water pump is the same for both engines.

Instructions

1

Ensure the engine is completely cool to prevent personal injury due to hot coolant. Disconnect the battery cable from the negative terminal with a socket wrench, so that you dont start the engine inadvertently. Place a drain pan under the drain for the radiator and open the drain plug. Allow the coolant to drain into the drain pan and replace the drain plug.

2

Remove the inner splash shield on the engine with a socket wrench and disconnect the accessory drive belt. Remove the mounting bolts for the water pump pulley. Position the pulley loosely between the water pump and water pump housing.

3

Disconnect the mounting bolts for the water pump with a socket wrench. Remove the water pump from the engine and discard the gasket.

4

Place a new gasket into the housing group on the water pump. Adjust the position of the water pump as needed to install the water pump. Tighten the mounting bolts for the water pump to 105 in. lbs. with a torque wrench. Connect the mounting bolts for the water pump pulley and tighten the mounting bolts to 250 in. lbs. Rotate the water pump manually to ensure that it moves freely.

5

Connect the accessory drive belt and inner splash guard with a socket wrench. Attach the cable to the negative battery terminal and fill the radiator with coolant. Start the engine and check for coolant leaks.

The Mirage is a subcompact car that Mitsubishi Motors made from 1978 to 2002. The 1999 model most often had a 4-cylinder 1.5-liter engine with multi-port fuel injection. The water pump in a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage is located on the front of the engine block. You can access it from the top of the engine compartment.

Instructions

1

Let the vehicle to sit overnight to ensure the engine and radiator fluid are cold.

2

Disconnect the cable for the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Put a container under the radiator and open the radiator drain. Wait for the radiator fluid to drain into the container. Seal the container and replace the radiator drain plug.

3

Remove the undercover for the engine with a socket wrench. Disconnect the bolt from the power steering hose and detach the hose. Remove the drive belts on the engine and support the engine with a floor jack. Disconnect the bracket for the engine mount.

4

Disconnect the timing belt with a socket wrench. Remove the bracket for the power steering pump and the brace for the alternator with a socket wrench.

5

Disconnect the mounting bolts for the water pump. Detach the water pump from the water inlet pipe. Remove the gasket from the water pump and discard it.

6

Clean the gasket surfaces with a shop rag and wet the new O-ring with water. Place the O-ring into its groove on the water inlet pipe. Install the new water pump to the water inlet pipe and tighten its mounting bolts to 17 ft. lbs with a torque wrench. Complete the water pump installation by performing steps 2 and 3 in reverse order.

7

Fill the radiator with coolant and connect the cable for the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Start the engine and allow it to idle until the thermostat opens. Allow the vehicle to cool and adjust the coolant level in the radiator to the correct level.

The Chevrolet P30 is a passenger and cargo van in the same vehicle class as the Ford Econoline and the Dodge Ram. The 1993 P30 was offered with several different engines, the most popular of which was an 8-cylinder engine with a displacement of 454 cubic inches. The water pump in a 1993 Chevrolet P30 attaches to the engine and is accessible from the engine compartment. Youll need to remove some additional components to access the water pump in this vehicle and replace it.

Instructions

1

Remove the negative battery cable with a socket wrench. Put a resealable container under the radiator drain cock and remove the drain cock. Allow the coolant to drain into the container and replace the drain cock. Seal the container for later use if the coolant is not contaminated.

2

Disconnect the shroud for the cooling fan with a socket wrench. Remove the shroud, the accessory drive belt and the alternator. Disconnect the cooling fan assembly, including the pulley and clutch.

3

Disconnect accessory brackets with a socket wrench as needed to access the water pump. Detach the radiator hose, the heater hose and the bypass hose from the water pump.

4

Remove the mounting bolts for the water pump assembly. Disconnect the water pump from the cover for the timing chain. Remove and discard the gasket. Clean the surface of the timing chain cover with a shop rag to remove any traces of the old gasket. Install the new water pump and gasket to the timing chain cover. Tighten the mounting bolts to 30 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

5

Complete the installation of the new water pump by performing steps two and three in reverse order. Connect the negative terminal on the battery with a socket wrench. Pour the coolant back in the radiator.

The Combustion Engine

A natural byproduct of a combustion engine is water. It is expelled with the exhaust gases. Fuel is mixed with air and then forced into the cylinders. Once the mix is inside the cylinder, a small explosion occurs before the exhaust camshaft opens and the exhaust is released into the manifold. Because of the intense heat of the combustion engine, the water is vaporized.

The Catalytic Converter

All vehicles since 1980 have catalytic converters. The catalysts convert the unspent fuel into spent fuel before being expelled past the component downstream. Older converters were called two-way converters because they turned carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons into water vapor. Not only is water vapor present in the exhaust system coming directly from the engine, but the converter also produces more by chemically altering the hydrocarbons. Nowadays, vehicles employ a three-way catalyst which also reduces harmful nitrogen oxides.

Preventative Maintenance

Depending on your geographical region and driving habits, its not unlikely for the exhaust system to rust and corrode from the inside out. If you live in a place that has severe winter weather and uses sand and salt on the winter roadways, your exhaust may deteriorate on the outside as well as the inside.

Short commutes are a major cause of internal water corrosion of the exhaust system. The water vapors do not have the chance to expel from the system and turn back into water once the vehicle is shut off. When there is no back pressure forcing the water vapors out of the system, the vapors coat the interior of the exhaust components and then form puddles on the bottom. Many mufflers employ a manufactured seep hole in order to allow the water to drain from the muffler. But the pipes and converter do not drain.

If you take short trips, try to run your vehicle for at least 15 minutes to allow the water vapors to purge from the exhaust system.

Car owners in regions with severe weather should wash the undercarriage of their vehicles once a week during these seasons to clean off the sand and salt. Even stainless steel exhaust systems will be compromised in these areas, although they will last significantly longer than aluminized steel systems.

The Hyundai Elantra is a compact car made by Hyundai Motor Corporation since 1991. The 2005 model belongs to the third generation, which was in production from 2000 to 2006. The water pump on this vehicle circulates coolant around the engine to prevent it from overheating. The water pump in a 2005 Hyundai Elantra attaches to the front of the engine, and requires the removal of several other components to access.

Instructions

1

Place a drain pan under the radiator and remove the radiator cap to speed the draining process. Open the radiator drain plug and allow the coolant to drain out of the radiator. Replace the drain plug and radiator cap.

2

Disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench to prevent the battery from producing sparks. Remove the accessory drive belts. Disconnect the hose to the radiator and the bypass hose, if your vehicle is so equipped.

3

Remove the pulley for the water pump with a socket wrench. Disconnect the front cover for the timing belt and the timing belt. Remove the bracket for the alternator.

4

Remove the mounting bolts for the water pump with a socket wrench and record their location, since the bolts have different lengths. Detach the water pump from the engine block and discard the gaskets.

5

Install the new water pump and gaskets to the engine block. Tighten the mounting bolts to between 14 and 20 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench.

6

Connect the alternator bracket with a socket wrench. Install the timing belt and its front cover. Attach the pulley for the water pump and the hoses for the radiator. Connect the accessory drive belts.

7

Attach the the cable to the negative battery cable with a socket wrench and fill the radiator with coolant. Start the engine and check for coolant leaks.

The Volvo 850 is a compact executive car made from 1992 to 1997 by Volvo Cars. It was available in sedan and station wagon body styles with front-wheel drive. The 1995 Volvo 850 had a 5-cylinder, 2.3-liter engine, or a 5-cylinder, 2.4-liter engine. Both engines have the same procedure for replacing the water pump. This procedure requires you to relieve the fuel pressure and drain the cooling system.

Instructions

1

Remove the fuel pump under the dashboard and start the engine. Allow the engine to idle until it stalls to relieve the pressure in the fuel system. Turn the ignition off and replace the fuel pump relay. Wait for the engine to completely cool.

2

Remove the cable to the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench to prevent the battery from causing sparks. Raise the vehicle with a jack and support it on jack stands. Disconnect the splash guard below the engine with a socket wrench.

3

Turn the heater control to the maximum setting and remove the cap on the expansion coolant tank. Place a drain pan under the radiator drain cock on the right side of the engine block. Connect a hose to the drain cock and place the free end of the hose in the drain pan. Open the drain cock to drain the coolant into the drain pan and close the drain cock.

4

Detach the fuel lines from the fuel tank and disconnect the expansion coolant tank with a socket wrench. Remove the front cover for the timing belt and the accessory drive belts. Disconnect the timing belt.

5

Disconnect the retaining bolts for the water pump with a socket wrench. Remove the water pump from the engine block and discard the old gasket. Clean the mounting surface on the cylinder block with a shop rag.

6

Install the new water pump and gasket to the engine block, and tighten the retaining bolts for the water pump to 15 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

7

Connect the timing belt, accessory drive belts and the front cover for the timing belt with a socket wrench. Install the expansion coolant tank and connect the fuel lines to the fuel tank. Connect the splash guard and lower the vehicle. Connect the cable to the negative battery terminal.

8

Fill the radiator with coolant and start the engine. Allow the engine to idle until it reaches its normal operating temperature, then turn the engine off. Top off the coolant to the correct level and check the cooling system for leaks.

The Toyota Prius is a mid-sized sedan that is available as a hybrid or standard vehicle. The water pumps, which move coolant from the radiator to the engine, come in a variety of designs from different manufacturers. The type of water pump is directly dependent upon the year and model of the Prius, and whether or not it is a hybrid.

GMB

The GMB Prius water pump model is designed to fit 2007-2009, 4-cylinder Prius Touring 1.5 liter and the 2001-2009 Prius base 1.5 liter models. The hub is triangular and the housing has a five-point, star-shaped design for installment.

A1 Cardone

The A1 Cardone model is compatible with all Prius models from 2001-2009. The hub and the housing directly beneath the hub are circular. The housing expands into a triangular shape on one side. The A1 Cardone also comes without the extended triangular base for a circular housing unit.

Beck Arnley

Beck Arnley is suitable for the 2001-2005 Prius 4 cylinder, 1.5 liter model. The hub is triangular, while the housing is circular. With an offset, five-point star housing nut for installment, the Beck Arnley comes with a removable gasket that fits with the water pump.

Airtex

The Airtex water pump is made to fit with all 2007 Prius Touring engines, as well as all 2006-2007 Prius base models. In addition, the Airtex is compatible with the 2001-2009 4 cylinder, 1.5 liter base models and the 2008-2009 Touring 4 cylinder, 1.5 liter models. Airtex has a circular hub while the housing is circular with an offset triangular piece to one side.

ACDelco

The ACDelco water pump is made for all Prius Touring engines from 2007-2009, all base engines from 2006-2009, and 4 cylinder, 1.5 liter base models from 2001-2005. The hub is circular, but with a larger diameter than most water pump models. The housing unit is comprised of an offset five-point nut system with evenly spaced grooves connecting it to the hub.

NPW and Aisin

Both the NPW and the Aisin water pump models are made to fit with all Prius models from 2001-2009. Both pumps are very close in design the ACDelco design, with a circular hub and a five-point housing unit.