Legacy Wagon Waterpump

[dave]

I have a friend with a 95 Legacy wagon that I suspect has a shot water pump.
(Have to get over to see for myself, but from the description ...)

If I were to try and help here myself what pitfalls should I expect. I know
the pump is belt driven and I'd probablty replace the belt while I'm at it,
and I would of course get a service manual before starting. What i'm
wondering is what are the "gotchas" the manual won't mention? What's a
realistic time to alot for this job working in my driveway, not on a
mechanics lift? Any infor greatly appreciated

 

[Edward Hayes]

You might want to look in www.endwrench.com

 

[Rick Courtright]

If I were to try and help here myself what pitfalls should I expect. I know
the pump is belt driven and I'd probablty replace the belt while I'm at it,

Hi,

Consider replacing all the following at once:

Water pump
T-belt(s)
Idler pulleys
Camshaft oil seals
Crankshaft front main oil seal
All the seals on the oil pump (front seal, O-ring or rings on back of
pump)

I'd suggest Subaru OEM parts for the belts and water pump for longest
service life. Other stuff's usually available aftermarket and works
fine.

Once you're "in" far enough to do the pump, the rest of the items don't
add a lot of time or grief to the job. I'd allow a full weekend for the
first time to be safe, not knowing your tool collection, expertise or
how many "12 piece tool kits" you use working on cars. It's probably
around 4 hrs of actual work for most people after they've done it a time
or two. Only "pitfall" I can think of is if the manual DOESN'T tell you
to remove the radiator and attendant fan(s) first off, you'll probably
save time, skin and blood by removing it, and since you're doing the
water pump, it's gonna be drained anyway.

When refilling the cooling system, air bubbles can be a problem. You
should find some discussions of the many approaches to removing them
archived here (Google is your friend) and probably on the USMB and
NASIOC forums.

Best of luck!

Rick

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I have a friend with a 95 Legacy wagon that I suspect has a shot water pump.
(Have to get over to see for myself, but from the description ...)

If I were to try and help here myself what pitfalls should I expect. I know
the pump is belt driven and I'd probablty replace the belt while I'm at it,
and I would of course get a service manual before starting. What i'm
wondering is what are the "gotchas" the manual won't mention? What's a
realistic time to alot for this job working in my driveway, not on a
mechanics lift? Any infor greatly appreciated

Tell us what his car's symptoms are. As Rick said, there could be an air
bubble creating problems. Or a blown head gasket. Or maybe just a bad
rad cap or thermostat.

Carl

 

[dave]

Tell us what his car's symptoms are. As Rick said, there could be an air
bubble creating problems. Or a blown head gasket. Or maybe just a bad rad
cap or thermostat.

Carl

Well it's definitely more than air. There is leaking antifreeze all over her
driveway. ;-)

She said she's heard kind of a "growling" sound in the engine the last few
weeks that apparently got really bad in the last day before she noticed the
leak and overheating. I didn't get over there last night to see for myself
yet.

My tools are not an issue on a job like this, my set should be fine,
including air tools. My experience is. I've done many waterpumps, but only
on domestic cars and mostly early model stuff. Usually just involves tanking
the radiator, maybe pulling the fan off, a couple hose clamps and unbolt it
from the engine. Soon as I read the WP was driven by the timing belt....
I've done a couple timing belts. Not my favorite jobs by a long shot. LOL.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll see how my schedule looks this weekend, my
friend may have to take it to a mechanic.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Well it's definitely more than air. There is leaking antifreeze all over her
driveway. ;-)

She said she's heard kind of a "growling" sound in the engine the last few
weeks that apparently got really bad in the last day before she noticed the
leak and overheating. I didn't get over there last night to see for myself
yet.

My tools are not an issue on a job like this, my set should be fine,
including air tools. My experience is. I've done many waterpumps, but only
on domestic cars and mostly early model stuff. Usually just involves tanking
the radiator, maybe pulling the fan off, a couple hose clamps and unbolt it
from the engine. Soon as I read the WP was driven by the timing belt....
I've done a couple timing belts. Not my favorite jobs by a long shot. LOL.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll see how my schedule looks this weekend, my
friend may have to take it to a mechanic.

You could 'bone up' a little reading some threads on the issue over at
www.usmb.net .

these might be good for a start;
http://tinyurl.com/gz3vt

good luck

Carl