The inevitable(sp?) finally happened.....my waterpump gasket blew out and it leaks faster than i can fill it up.(2.4L btw). I wanted to see if anyone has had to replace the waterpump on their car...if i do the water pump should i replace all timing chain parts also? Most places ive called charge about 6hrs of labor.....whats the average price i should expect to pay? I would rather do the work myself but messing with the time chain scares me. The prices ive been given are all higher than 500 dollars......id appreciate all of your input




Cavalier z24......A poor man's Camaro....close enough, right?

search for replacing the waterpump on a 2.4. its a pita and most shops will charge you like you said 500 or more just for the labor. its much cheaper if you do it yourself

All you need is tools.

This would be a good time to invest in tools, I think

1. Jack the front of the car and remove the front right side wheel.
30minutes

2. remove engine mount and put a jack under it to support the motor.
This helps when you need to raise or lower the motor
1 hour

3. remove belt, fender cover and crank pulley and exhaust shield
1 or 2 hours

4. drain Oil and remove timing chain cover (10mm bolts)
2 hours

5. After that you will see the timing chain and how the timing chain makes the water pump turn round and round WOW!!!! its amazing or something...
5 minutes

6. remove 2 or 3 timing chain guides to loose tension on the chain
30 minutes or 1 hour to figure it out.

7. Remove water pump using a swivel socket
1 hours



if you can't remove the water pump and need more room. No problem!
Remove the exhaust manifold with the oxygen sensor.
it would take you about 1 or 3 hours

then install the new pump and put it all back together.
you do not need to remove the timing chain. Just remove 2 or 3 timing chain guides. this will help loose it and get the water pump off track

if you know what you're doing, it will take you 4 hours to take it apart and 4 more hours to put it back together or just take a week off work and invest on all the tools you need and jack stands, jacks ect... its very important. Also, get a manual and take your time

thanks for the imput guys...would you reccomend replace the time chain at the same time? if i were to do it myself would the timing of the car be thrown off?




Cavalier z24......A poor man's Camaro....close enough, right?

Yes, replace the timingchain and shoe and tensoner. I had it done at the dealer for 900 bucks, and got a year warranty.

I will be undertaking this project in the near future on my g/f's car. I have one question.
Do you have to take out the exhaust manifold?

thanks

If you live in Chicago, or in Michigan let me know, I'll do it for you. I charge $20/hour.




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

Tim, only if you can't remove it from the fender.

but if I had to do it again, I would not remove the manifold.

I disagree with most here. I would just rip out the exhaust manifold and it's right there. There's a heck of a lot to take apart on the timing chain cover, chain, etc; not to mention the timing chain is a pita to get back in.
That exhaust manifold only has 7 bolts on the head side, 2 bolts on the down side, and an oxygen sensor. Then the water pump has like 5 bolts on one side and 3 on the other. That's about 20 bolts the exhaust way, the timing chain COVER has over 20 bolts, not to mention the rest of it.
I've been into it both ways, and I'd do the exhaust way next time I have to. But it's up to you. Also you may want to invest in a $18 Haynes or Chilton manual. Haynes are made for back yard mechanics, step-by-step. Chilton are more technical and made for people who are good at this stuff and want quick directions. Both are made by the same company.

I really don't have a way to look under the car until I actually get to the garage and work on it. I'm pretty mechanically inclined to I'm sure I can figure it out. But, the cavalier is just not my 'cup of tea'.
One question just to clarify. If I remove the exhaust manifold, then I don't have to remove the timing chain, and vice versa??

in order to remove the water-pump, you have to remove the timing chain cover to get to the pump.
The timing chain spinds the cams and also spinds the water-pump as it moves.

The only reason why you need to remove the exhaust is to have more room to remove the pump.

The waterpump is on the outside but it works from the inside.

so this is going to be a MAJOR BITCH.
one more question. Does the timing belt have to come all the way out or, can I just loosen the tensioner?
thanks

so this is going to be a MAJOR BITCH.
one more question. Does the timing belt have to come all the way out or, can I just loosen the tensioner?
thanks

I guess you don't have to take the chain out or off, but since you are in there you might as well replace it. Just make sure everything is aligned for timing when you put it back together. For some reason mine was not and I had to tear into it again. That was a scary 15 seconds!! Luckily no damage.


mtbon

very very lucky no damage.

it is going to be a major bitch so might as well buy some beer.

about the timing chain:
I removed a couple timing chain guide rails

and I was able to remove the pump without removing the timing chain.

(It was same as removing a bicycle sprocket with out removing the chain completely off; if that makes sense )

tim kirchner wrote:If I remove the exhaust manifold, then I don't have to remove the timing chain, and vice versa??

Correct. The pump will unbolt and pull away from the timing system with out removing the chain, or cover, or whatever.

and put some secret cams in at the same time. when i did mine the gears and chaind looked like new so i didnt even replace anything. not even a guide no wear marks. i guess when i put my turbo amnifold on i'll do the water pump and fix my oil leak from the cam swap lol
Nick

I pulled pretty hard on the pump and the sprocket never removed itself from the shaft, so how does one go about removing the WP without removing the timing cover?

I don't know. I think C.T.S was messing w/ you

I HAVE TO remove the timing chain cover to remove the water pump on the 2.4

well, todays the day. Wish me luck...

hey I found that on the 2.3 quad 4 you can remove the sprocket off the pump
I'm not sure if it applies to the 2.4