Help!....Coming home from the lake (Milford in ks) on 70...my temp went up...and I lost a lot of coolant all of a sudden...Appears to be the gasket between the water pump and block???...Anyway, went ahead and ordered a new one..to be here tues. (only $34)....My questions is: Do I really have to take the radiator and all that plumbing out?...Or can I get this bugger out without doing all that?...If I have to, I have to....it just seems awful time consuming...and that there may be an easier way?

Anyone had to do this??

I know, dumb question...

Thanks
Sean H.

The radiator isn't that difficult to remove and makes the rest of the job so much easier it is worth removing the radiator. While the radiator is out, you might take it to a radiator shop to have it cleaned, tested and any leaks fixed.

P E H

Sean,

Take the rad out. Its easy as PEH says. Just undo the hoses and the trans cooler lines (they will leak a little), remove the two clips at top on either side, and lift it out. Even if you don't take it to a shop, now is good time to clean the rad. Trash gets down where you normally can't see it.

While doing this job, I suggest you replace hoses and belts. Also, buy new trans cooler lines with metal wire protection and install them.

Removing/replacing the pump is straightforward. Be careful around the plastic necks of the rad. They can break off.


Nic

Thanks guys...I sized it up in the garage last night, and decided that it would be best to remove it all by the book...My belts and hoses are less than a year old and all mb brand, or at least they have the little stars on the hoses and clamps. The coolant is shooting out the bottom of the pump between the housing and the pump itself...I researched some threads on this...and Jim from Conn. said that it's uncommon for the gasket to go???..but most likely that there is another weep-hole on the bottom of the pump....It'll be here fedx today, so I'm looking fwd to working on it tonight (it's my relaxing time)...I actually like wrenching on the old girl...My domestic vehicles (all pretty much new) are boring...I hope this is all it is...

Thanks again!
sean