In this video, I go over a detailed install of a water pump in a ~100k mile ’98 Buick LeSabre with a 3800 Series II motor. The gasket had started leaking near the bottom of the pump and the car had steadily been losing coolant till it became a larger evident leak. No overheating until the car had lost enough coolant. I had earlier misdiagnosed the leak as coming from the tensioner coolant elbow(s). These tend to leak in the same areas and the plastic elbows tend to disintegrate over time as evident when they were removed/replaced. This video covers the water pump replacement which fixed the leak. I used an aluminum framed gasket that came with the pump.
ACDelco 251-718 GM Original Equipment Water Pump with Gasket
http://amzn.to/2wFFk9f
Dorman 47065HP Elbow Type Heater Hose
http://amzn.to/2w52dRX
ACDelco 131-120 GM Original Equipment 195 Degrees Engine Coolant Thermostat with Gasket
http://amzn.to/2wbNVNQ
Dorman 419-610 Idler Pulley
http://amzn.to/2w516ln
Bando 6PK2385 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt
http://amzn.to/2xk7dAQ
Disclaimer: All of the products mentioned in this video were purchased with our own money and we are not associated with any of the brands mentioned. Our opinions are our own and cannot be bought. We chose these particular products based on our needs and budget. The links to products may be affiliate links. Affiliate links allow us to receive a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you choose to purchase.
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Are there hole in the power steering pump pulley?if there are,is it possible to rotate one of the holes over the hidden bolt on the water pump?
Then get to that bolt through the hole?
great video, I have a 98 lesabre Isnt overheating but seams to have no upper and lower hose pressure even after replacing thermostat, cooling fan comes on at 200f. The heater hoses seam warm do have any advice for a rookie mechanic thanks.
Fantastic well organized vid mate! Have a 1999 eighty-eight with 198k and ready to install another water pump (bearings going out). Always like to refresh me self with a vid before the task! If you don't mind what brand of pump did you use…. it looks nice. Thx
I found this video very helpful especially the two bolts on the power steering pump and dropping it out of the way as for the pit cock on the radiator I did not do that because I put a pan under the engine only dropped about a half gallon of antifreeze out of it didn't have to take off the top engine cover no need other than that excellent video
I’ve got a 96 bonneville and I noticed the power steering pulley was in the way of one of the bolts and I knew I had to mess with that a little bit, I’m also replacing my radiator and driver side cooling fan. The most work out of all of this is clearly the water pump I’m glad you posted this, I haven’t had the belly pan on for some time and one of the bolts was missing from my old water pump and I was wondering if that had caused any problems in my engine cooling?
great video, I really appreciate you fast forwarding thru the 10,000 1/8th turns on each bolt, I wish others would follow your example on that!!! Thank you, I would have never guessed that I would have to remove the freaking power steering pulley to get to that last bolt.
9:50 that sounds funny
It's important to note that even though this is a series II 3800 motor there are important differences between years. The Series II motor was introduced in 1993 and ran into the early 2000's. I have a 1993, the first year, and the power steering pump is not located where yours is in 1998. My power steer power is far enough away from the water pump that it doesn't even come into play. Nor does the 1993's have that motor mount sticking out into your working area. You might want to retitle this video to state that it's the later model Series II engines as others may get confused why their Series II doesn't look anything like yours in the video.
I found a black clobber under the radiator cap. It that caused by burnt coolant?
Very useful video. You saved me a good chunk of change. Is there anyway I can contact you direct just in case I have any questions while working on it? I'll feel more secure as this would be my first time doing any work on a car