zero708970

So my water pump has been making a squealing sound for the past couple of weeks and is finally leaking, now I'm probably gonna get **** for this but i want to replace it without undoing the crankshaft pulley and taking off the various belts etc. (the "proper" way) I was thinking of undoing the tensioner loosening the timing belt and replacing it...timing belt is in great condition no cracks or anything..is this possible? (notice i didn't say if this is the right way or the correct way or if this is a good idea, i just want to know if this is physically possible, please don't try to lecture me on how this is a bad idea and how i might as well do it the correct way and blah blah blah.) Thanks in advance. i have a 97 civic ex d16y8

forcefedferio

no, it is not possible.

even if you could do it, it would actually make it harder on yourself by trying to work around everything.

If you plan on doing the job yourself there are plenty of online guides, as well as your repair manual that can guide you through in a breeze, and if your stuck obviously you can ask here as well.

Good luck

zero708970

I've done it before with a friends car and we ended up (because to he wanted to) taking it to a mech. because he kept insisting the TDC wasn't aligned with the crankshaft...also that tensioner was a bitch...not to mention the pulley...

forcefedferio

you just need practice young grasshopper, just did my girlfriends EM1 today with the b16a in it. 2.5 hours with P/S and A/C. Fired it right up after i filled it up with coolant, moved it out into the drive way and let the bubbles bleed out while i cleaned up the garage. Best way to learn is hands on.

Solomon1468

Oh man is this a fun project It's not too bad to do yourself, the crankshaft pulley bolt on mine was pretty rough though. I broke two socket wrenches and a deep socket, thank goodness for Craftsman's warranty.

Just get a manual, they're usually detailed enough, take your time, check everything twice, you'll be fine. Good luck!

azaeltyper

can't take shortcuts, specially if it has to do with timming. Best way is to do everything as mechanics or manual suggests.

forcefedferio

fixed lol.

Trade your old craftsman sockets in, i'll make you a good deal on some snap on sockets. just think of all the gas you will save not having to drive to sears everytime you use a tool!

apexi_rsx

17mm and a 3ft breakerbar will take the crank pulley bolt off with ease. then line up the key to the mark on the oil pump housing. not too hard at all to do on a single cam motor. make sure all the slack in the belt is on the firewall side of the motor and the front of the belt tight so the tensioner can take the rest of the slack out of the belt.

SHotime2511

I'd replace the WP,timing belt,TB tensioner,front main,while its all apart.

thumper64

If you still have the plastic cover, it's impossible. It won't come off unless you break it or unbolt the pulley.

Just take it to a shop and have them break the crank bolt loose and just snug it down enough where you can break it loose at home, if you can't get it loose now. Don't just cruise around after, a loose crank bolt can come undone and end up destroying your crank.

Definitely change the timing belt and water pump together, the belt is only like $40. The tensioner a lot of people will wait and do it every other time the belt is changed (assuming it's on schedule). It's still a better idea to do it all at once.

David12

and then when you break your snap on tools you have to figure out how the hell your guna get it replaced. craftsmen is a good brand in a way that all you have to do is drive to sears. if you don't have a tool guy with snap on your screwed! i've broken alot more snap on tools than craftsmen

Jockone

Can't get the timming belt cover out of the way without crank pulley coming off.