water pump removal question.

[SierraSVXer]

While replacing the timing belt on my 92, which has never been replaced with 68k on the speedo. I would like to also replace the water pump as well. The manual states to remove the cam sprocket . My question is has anyone been able to remove the securing bolts and carefully pull it down with out taking off the sprocket? or am I wishing. Steve

[michael]

No need to remove the cam sprocket. You may have misread, remove belt from cam sprocket? The pump cones off with just a few bolts, IIRC there is a hidden one in the left center.

[Crazy_pilot]

Remove the camshaft sprocket? I don't think it was necessary... I certainly don't remember removing it this summer when I changed my pump.

[michael]

6 bolts total
scroll down to page 6

[SierraSVXer]

Thank-you for answering Michael and Crazy Pilot. Michael go further down to pg. 9 I am reading the manual correctly. Sure you guys were not able to take it off with possibly bending the rear timing belt cover behind the sprocket enough to drop it down. Thats what I am hoping to do. Steve

[ZMan]

Originally Posted by michael

6 bolts total
scroll down to page 6

On page 9 of that document it shows for water pump removal:
step 12: remove left side camshaft pulley.

[SierraSVXer]

Several posts back I asked if the water pump could be removed without removal of the cam sprocket, which the factory manual states to do. After several posts stating it was not necessary to remove the sprocket I decided I had no chioce but to find out. Well this time believe the manual, there are securing bolts behind the rear timing belt cover, behind the sprocket. The sprocket can be removed with a chain wrench wrapped over an older shortened timing belt. I found a chain wrench from harbor freight for less than 15. Hope this helps others, be prepared to remove the cam sprocket . Looking foward to GT time. steve

[siceclipse]

well that sucks!

[siceclipse]

Would it be easier to crack the bolt loose on the cam gear while the timing belt was ON and someone was holding the crank with a 1/2" breaker bar?

[SierraSVXer]

siceclipse You are correct . That would be another method to release the cam sprocket bolt. If I were using that method I believe I would secure the cogged bearing rollers with clamps to prevent the belt from jumping teeth. You would also use the same method to secure the bolt back on and I do realize the belt should be tight with the tensioner released.

[siceclipse]

did you remove your whole radiator or just the driver side fan like in the manual?

was it easy to work around the A/C hose that goes over the cam gear?

[SierraSVXer]

Siceclipse: Sounds like you want to just change the waterpump without taking off the timing belt. It is much easier if you remove the radiator for extra room to work with. You are going to loose your coolant anyway. You also can back flush it while it is out and it is very easy after removing the trans tubes and coolant hoses. Unplug the elect lines to the fans, remove the two top brackets and lifts straight up - carefully, or direct downward. fans and all. It is a good time to change to a new belt though and spin check all the idlers and cogs. Tell us how it works out. Others can learn as well. Steve

[siceclipse]

Doint this job is really simple.
Nowhere near as hard as my DSM.

Checked all the pulleys and cogs and all check out okay.
Getting the new water pump in this week on my day off and gonna start tearing ass in that car again.

[kwren]

I used some "quality" (HD) plastic ties to keep the timing belt on the cam shaft pulley while I removed the cam shaft pulley bolt.

Keith

[siceclipse]

I had my friend use a 17 on the pass side cam gear while I used a 17 on a breaker bar on the other one.

Perfectly easy if you have another set of hands to help.