Hello All

I need to change the water pump on my Sunfire. It looks like a pretty easy job on the 2.2 but I know I need to drain some coolant first. The manual I have refers me to the section on draining the flushing the entire cooling system but I had that done just last year. It is possible to swap the pump without making a mess and without draining all 10 quarts? If so, where should I drain the coolant from? The bottom of the rad or the engine block?

Thanks


1997 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2

You don't have to drain it all, but most of the coolant will come out, either before you remove the pump, or immediately afterwards.

Easiest way is to remove the lower rad hose, that will drain most of the coolant.
If you changed your thermostat within the last year, not necessary to do again, but if it's been close to a year or more, may as well, they're cheap. You don't have to flush the system entirely, but make sure you follow the "burping" procedure to get rid of trapped air. I like to burp it once after the work is done, then again after a day of driving. Air pockets create havoc, and our cooling systems have very little tolerance for them.




-Ferrite

Hey Ferrite

Thanks for the thermostat tip. I didn't think of it and you are right, it is just as well. It hasn't been changed in the 8 years we have owned the car.


1997 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2

Make sure your new pump comes with a new gasket.