Water pump removal/replacement

Tiny
LOSTNSPACE
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 128,000 MILES
The car that I am working is the listed above. It is an early Ultra model. Apparently it is substantially different from any others in the section on this problem of water pumps on these cars. I have two serpentine belts both of which are removed. Loosening and rotating back the power steering pump would not do me any good. It and the alternator are mounted on this huge bracket which half covers the back bolt (the one closest to the firewall). The entire bracket needs to come off. The alternator has been removed.
The motor mount/torque whatever they are calling it, is preventing the removal of the water-pump pulley. The four bolts are out of it and it is loose and all but the close proximity of that motor mount prevent it from being totally removed. Also, getting to the two bolts that one is supposed to be able to remove through access holes in said mount is proving problematic as they are not centered in those holes sufficiently to even get a thin-walled socket on them.
There is supposed to be some support bracket available to support the motor while removing that bracket. But I have been unable to find any information about said support bracket: whether it supports from below with a jack or from above with an engine hoist lifting from above. I have tried both approaches without said bracket: with a 2X10 below oil pan and using a chain from the hoist to the loops there for removing the engine entirely (which I am not trying to do!).
Thursday, July 5th, 2018 AT 12:22 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
I found this post which I think will help can you take a look and see if it is what you need?

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/buick-park-avenue-1998-buick-park-avenue-how-to-change-waterpump

Please run down this link and report back, I know the year is different but sometimes still works.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 2:47 PM
Tiny
LOSTNSPACE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I found it on my own. Pump replaced, bracket for power-steering pump and alternator put back on and both of those accessories. Motor mount back in place and bolted down. Ready to put the two serpentine belts back on, then coil packs, heater hoses, and I am not sure what else before putting in coolant and the "smoke test!"
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Thursday, July 12th, 2018 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello,

Congrats! Sounds like a much needed beer is in order. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Thursday, July 12th, 2018 AT 8:26 PM

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