Q: How to replace a water pump in a Chevrolet El Camino?
A: Remove the negative battery cable. Radiator should be drained. Remove the fan and spacer while removing the bolts that secure the fan to the water pump hub. Also, lift out of the engine compartment the radiator shroud by removing its bolts. Drive belt from alternator and water pump pulleys should be detached after loosening mounting bolts for the alternator. Hub ought to have water pump pulley removed from it. Push alternator in order to relieve tension on drive belt, then remove alternator strap bolt and pivot bolt in order to take out alternator. At its rear, disconnect wiring from it. Loosen AIR pump' mounting bolts then move away AIR pump from engine if any is available with power steering; hence loosen adjusting bolt as well as removing pivot bolt so as to steer power steering away from engine.Remove lower radiator hose, heater hose & bypass hose from water pump housing.Disengage remaining bolts which hold water pump to block of engine and lift water pump out of engine compartment .For a fresh water pumps, transfer heater hose fitting from old pump over to new one.Gasket surfaces of engine need cleaning and a thin coat of gasket sealer applied on new gaskets.Install new pump and hold it using bolts.Engine components should be installed in reverse order and with proper fasteners being tightened.All drive belts must be adjusted into right tension.Connect negative battery cable.Fill radiator using mixture of antifreeze-water.Start engine then inspect for leakage.Add more coolant mixture if necessary.
Q: What are the ways to check the operation of the water pump while it is still installed on the engine for Chevrolet El Camino?
A: A failure in the water pump can cause serious engine damage due to overheating as the pump will not be able to circulate cooled water through the engine. There are three ways in which to check the operation of the water pump while it is still installed on the engine. If the pump is suspect, it should be replaced with a new or factory-rebuilt unit. With the engine warmed up to normal operating temperature, squeeze the upper radiator hose. If the water pump is working properly, a pressure surge should be felt as the hose is released. Water pumps are equipped with 'weep' or vent holes. If a failure occurs to the bladder of the pump, small amounts of water will leak from these 'weep' holes. In most cases, it will be necessary to use a flashlight from under the car to see evidence of leakage from this point in the pump body. If the water pump shaft bearings fail there may be a squealing sound at the front of the engine while it is running. Shaft wear can be felt if the water pump pulley is forced up and down. Do not mistake drive belt slippage, which also causes a squealing sound, for water pump failure.