Could I change the water pump myself?

**SLIM_DURST** · 12-08-2006, 04:43 PM

I am good with tools and following instructions. but I don't know cars. anyone think i could do it. its either do that or the car is junk anyway, because they are charging me more than car is worth. bearings on it are going bad...

**Mr. Luos** · 12-08-2006, 04:51 PM

LS1??

Do it yourself. Quite easy.

**INMY01TA** · 12-08-2006, 04:53 PM

easy

**Y2KPewterSS** · 12-08-2006, 04:55 PM

Simple job

**SLIM_DURST** · 12-08-2006, 06:15 PM

it's a 3800. yea, glad you say it's easy, because I read some web sites and it does look easy.
but the mechanic did say the tensioner assembly is loose and need to be replaced. is that hard?

**joerockhead** · 12-08-2006, 07:06 PM

Water Pumps are the Easiest thing to change.

You can do it! All night long!

Rob 94Hawk 319 · 12-08-2006, 07:59 PM

Ew. 3800.... Not even close to as easy as an LS1. Get a manual, take your time, and you can do it.

**F-Bomb** · 12-10-2006, 03:48 PM

just clean all the shit off around the housing and dont tourqe the bolts to hard remember your working on an aluminum block.... shit never mind its a 3800

**The Answer** · 12-10-2006, 04:02 PM

What's wrong with a 3800? I had one in a 96 RS vert and never had to worry about getting my doors blown off by everyone and their momma and I always got a kick out of how they all thought they were the *cock'o'tha'walk* for wup'n my V6 ...

**SLIM_DURST** · 12-11-2006, 08:50 AM

I wonder , the mechanic said tensioner is loose. I wonder if anyone think I could get away with only doing the water pump, put in new serpentine belt, and if I could forget the tensioner for now? it looks like more work than maybe I can handle to do the tensioner.

**The Answer** · 12-11-2006, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by SLIM_DURST

I wonder , the mechanic said tensioner is loose. I wonder if anyone think I could get away with only doing the water pump, put in new serpentine belt, and if I could forget the tensioner for now? it looks like more work than maybe I can handle to do the tensioner.

Do the Pump First. It's real easy and as discussed be sure you torque liberally (Aluminum block) preferably using a torque wrench to torque specs.

Typically if you're high mileage you want to go ahead and change the tensioner and serpentine belt.
Do one at a time and see what happens on each change.

I would change the serpentine belt first if it is old.
This can make a huge difference and the tensioner would show up next as a possible culprit.

**ibanez7** · 12-11-2006, 09:22 AM

yes do the waterpump yourself...

such an easy job..

make sure you clean all contact/mating surfaces extremely well!

BadBlueBird* · 12-11-2006, 09:34 AM

Wrong forum ya think??

Rob 94Hawk 319 · 12-11-2006, 10:06 AM

Not only that, but most of the people are talking about doing it on an LSx engine. The 3800 is a bit of a difference engine..

**CptMidway** · 12-11-2006, 10:34 AM

There's a hard plastic elbow that goes from the h2o pump to the block. Chances are it will break. (It did on me) AFAIK it's a dealer only item.
Like Rob said earlier, just follow the manual and you'll be fine.

**02z28ls1** · 12-11-2006, 04:15 PM

The 3800 water pump is just as easy as the LS1. Don't tighten down the bolts super hard-just try to be even handed about it. Use some good RTV on the gasket to prevent leaks. I don't see any hard plastic elbow in the water pump,but there is one for the heater water bypass that may get in the way of the serp belt tensioner rotating for removal. It suggests breaking this pipe to remove the tensioner if you have to. Just get one as a backup before you tear it apart-return it if you don't use it (or have some back-up transport for parts running). The tensioner will be harder to do but not impossible if you are good with tools.
As far as the 3800 goes-it's a sturdy motor with enough performance to embarrass Mustang boys. Don't worry about impressing these LS1 people, the LS1 F-bodies are a super car, the V-6 is merely superior. Enjoy and appreciate what you have.

**Bryan** · 12-12-2006, 04:07 PM

I changed mine myself and didn't think it was that easy but it's certainly doable. I replaced it with a waterpump from Autozone. The problem is that it's only been about 6 months and it's started to leak again already.

If I could do it over I would have just paid the dealer to replace it with an OEM pump, now I get to redeem the lifetime warranty on the Autozone pump and hope this one lasts longer.