91 NA Water pump questions (please help!)

therealjab · 07-18-2008, 09:46 PM

Hey guys and gals,

I have a massive water/coolant leak coming from what I assume is the water pump but I can't really be certain because of the limited visibility. I have a few questions regarding the water pump job- does the engine have to come out to replace it? Also, does anyone have a good procedure on how to replace it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ben · 07-18-2008, 10:14 PM

The water pump is under the timing cover and is driven by the timing belt. If you are going to replace the water pump, might as well get a new timing belt and front engine seals. Any pics of the leak?

bluemr2 · 07-18-2008, 10:42 PM

And it sure would be a hell of alot easier if the engine is out. And if you go that far you might as well replace what you can as Ben stated.

hmong337 · 07-18-2008, 11:19 PM

might as well do an engine swap if the engine's coming out lol... well atleast that's what i'm gonna do when my waterpump fails on the 5sfe. i have no previous owner service records so any day could be it's last. however, it runs mint at the moment. i couldn't see myself doing the waterpump with the engine inside the car. talk about a nightmare.

goodluck.

bluemr2 · 07-18-2008, 11:29 PM

Ya, you'd be lucky to get a socket in on that side of the car to even get a bolt out. I had an issue with my oil pump housing leaking and I just released all the engine mounts besides the trans side and let her down a bit, with the use of an engine hoist of course. It was still some close quarters.

TomsMR2 · 07-19-2008, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluemr2

And it sure would be a hell of alot easier if the engine is out. And if you go that far you might as well replace what you can as Ben stated.

its probably 10 times more work to pull the engine and do it.

ive done water pumps in-car in 2 hours. its easy. add another hour for the t-belt.. if you're not so handy around the car, expect a good full day or short weekend, but its still not hard. theres just a few tricks you gotta learn to do it (such as how to fight off the corner mount).

therealjab · 07-19-2008, 07:33 PM

Thanks for the prompt replies guys. Are there any decent write-ups on the procedure?

therealjab · 07-20-2008, 05:16 PM

I'm a novice when it comes to mechanical know-how so I'll probably just take my MR2 into a shop to get this one done. Does anyone know how much the stealer-ship charges for the job? How about an independent shop? Your input would be much appreciated!

bluemr2 · 07-20-2008, 05:22 PM

I'd say at least $200! You can probably go and get some quotes. They base all their work off a computer system where it tells them how many hours the job 'should' take. I'd get some prices and probably buy my own pump and take it to them so they don't jip you on that.

07-18-2008, 09:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
therealjab No Skills Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	91 NA Water pump questions (please help!) Hey guys and gals, I have a massive water/coolant leak coming from what I assume is the water pump but I can't really be certain because of the limited visibility. I have a few questions regarding the water pump job- does the engine have to come out to replace it? Also, does anyone have a good procedure on how to replace it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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07-18-2008, 10:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ben Propulsion Restored Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oceanside, CA / Reno, NV Posts: 3,021 Thanks: 18 Thanked 216 Times in 206 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	The water pump is under the timing cover and is driven by the timing belt. If you are going to replace the water pump, might as well get a new timing belt and front engine seals. Any pics of the leak?

07-18-2008, 10:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
bluemr2 91' Hardtop Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Decatur,IL/Solomons,Md Posts: 652 Thanks: 24 Thanked 32 Times in 30 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	And it sure would be a hell of alot easier if the engine is out. And if you go that far you might as well replace what you can as Ben stated.

07-18-2008, 11:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
hmong337 Emperor Jspec Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 811 Thanks: 90 Thanked 44 Times in 43 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	might as well do an engine swap if the engine's coming out lol... well atleast that's what i'm gonna do when my waterpump fails on the 5sfe. i have no previous owner service records so any day could be it's last. however, it runs mint at the moment. i couldn't see myself doing the waterpump with the engine inside the car. talk about a nightmare. goodluck.

07-18-2008, 11:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
bluemr2 91' Hardtop Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Decatur,IL/Solomons,Md Posts: 652 Thanks: 24 Thanked 32 Times in 30 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Ya, you'd be lucky to get a socket in on that side of the car to even get a bolt out. I had an issue with my oil pump housing leaking and I just released all the engine mounts besides the trans side and let her down a bit, with the use of an engine hoist of course. It was still some close quarters.

07-19-2008, 07:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
therealjab No Skills Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks for the prompt replies guys. Are there any decent write-ups on the procedure?

07-20-2008, 05:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
therealjab No Skills Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I'm a novice when it comes to mechanical know-how so I'll probably just take my MR2 into a shop to get this one done. Does anyone know how much the stealer-ship charges for the job? How about an independent shop? Your input would be much appreciated!

07-20-2008, 05:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
bluemr2 91' Hardtop Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Decatur,IL/Solomons,Md Posts: 652 Thanks: 24 Thanked 32 Times in 30 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	I'd say at least $200! You can probably go and get some quotes. They base all their work off a computer system where it tells them how many hours the job 'should' take. I'd get some prices and probably buy my own pump and take it to them so they don't jip you on that.