How hard is it to change the water pump

[Dr Mike]

Hi Guys I have been seeing small 4'' puddle of antifreeze under my 03 VUE V6. I was wondering when should I go out and buy the water pump and how must trouble is it to change.

[Chazberry]

I was wondering when should I go out and buy the water pump and how must trouble is it to change.

It must be a fair amount of trouble. My dealer quoted $395 / 3.1 hrs. labor.

[far2grumpy]

Dr Mike ... I have no experience with this project. I did find a few items in service manual and have attached Saturn's instructions for water pump removal and replacement. Appears you also must remove at least one motor mount to replace the drive belt.

Looks doable but lay in a supply of band aids and hydrogen peroxide to take care of the nicks and dings. (I keep the large economy sizes in my garage).

[Dr Mike]

Thanks

[VTchemist]

It is not an easy task. I had mine replaced. Cost about $375. Most was for labor. You've got to pull the intake to get access.

If you are near the 100K miles mark on your VUE, you might want to go ahead and change the timing belt. Plugs too.

[burnout]

Are you sure it's the water pump?

[Dr Mike]

My owners manual does not say any thing about changing the timing belt.

[1saxman]

My owners manual does not say any thing about changing the timing belt.

?
It's recommended after 100,000 or any other time after five or six years of use that you go into the front of the engine for anything else. Just common sense. At that time you would do all the other 100K service, including plugs and accessories drive belt. If the coolant has never been changed it's also overdue.

[VTchemist]

My owners manual does not say any thing about changing the timing belt.

Like 1saxman says, do it at 100,000 miles.

In terms of antifreeze leakage, the owner's manual does not address this issue.
You'd probably find it in the Factory Service Manual (FSM). I do not have one.

Bottom line, your L81 engine (3.0 V6) is an interference engine. If the timing belt breaks, the pistons and valves will no longing have the timing sequence to avoid each other. They will collide and ruin the engine. So, you could be potentially be faced with an engine rebuild.

I am assumming you have checked all of your hoses (heater hoses too). If found a loose hose (and it was not leaking out of the thermostat, that would be reason for a celebration! But if it's leaking out of the waterpump, then I would recommend you change the timing belt and thermostat while they have the engine apart.

Also, have them check the "valve covers". They are prone to failure on the L81. Again, having it all apart saves you the labor fees.

Good luck...