Please tell me the easiest way to replace the water pump, as well as serpentine belt.

MMSHIELDS2006

MEMBER
1998 SATURN SL1
1.9L
4 CYL
MANUAL
125,900 MILES

Had someone replace my radiator, it was leeking, then one of the heater hoses blew out, that was replaced, now the water pump is a continual drip, so have a new one to install. Could you explain the easiest way to access and replace the water pump. Someone told us to take the tire off and access it that way? What about the serpentine belt. Having someone that's disabled working on this and hoping to make it easy for him. Thank you so much. Margaret Tall, FL

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

The way I always replace those pumps is remove the right front wheel. Then the right forward side splash shield. Then place a floor jack with a block of wood under the oil pan. Then remove the upper engine mount. Before removing the belt loosen the power steering pump pulley. Then jack the engine up then push the belt tensioner down and remove the belt. Then drain the coolant the radiator drain is on the passenger side bottom of the radiator. Also follow the lower radiator hose back to the engine block there is 10mm bolt which a block drain. That will drain the coolant out of the block. Then you can remove the water pump. I lower the engine down all the way to remove the bottom bolts. Then raise the engine up to remove the top bolts.