Removing the Water Pump on a 1987 Westy

[hbmbguy]

I have all of the fasteners removed but there is not enough clearance to remove the water pump from the studs. The pipe that goes to the right head is in the way. This is a metal tube connected by about 2 inches of coolant hose that connects it to the metal tube into the right head.

My first thought was to remove it from the hose connector, but seems almost impossible to get off and even more difficult to re-install.

So now I removed the connection to the right head to slide the whole thing out of the way. Well it won't come off the studs until the Oil filler pipe is removed.

Is there an easier way to do this?????????

Thanks for any input.
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1987 Westy

[OhChit]

If you have AC the compressor should be moved to the side so the pump will clear.

From looking at the water pump from rear of the Van

You need to remove the pulley and belts.

Remove the 2 sets of bolts that hold the Left and Right Water pipes to the pump. Just let those pipes hang in place as you pull the water pump body towards the rear of the van. Note it may need a slight tap to break it free.

Some water pumps had allen head bolts mounting the water pipes to the pump. If so the lower allen bolt might give you a little hard time but doable.

If the Right Crossover water pipe is in the way you might have to also remove the two mounting bolts for that water pipe from the right head and just slide the crossover pipe to the right to let hang free for a little additional clearance.

It's actually fairly easy job. Just be thankful your not attempting a 1.9 water pump..
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Fast Cars, and Slow Women Makes me DrooL.

[hbmbguy]

I guess I am on the right track. It is the crossover pipe getting in my way. I removed the nuts where the crossover pipe attaches to the right head so I can slide it out of the way, but it won't come off the studs because the oil filler pipe is in the way. I guess I'll just remove it too.
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1987 Westy

[OhChit]

[morymob]

On my 2, the studs that r giving u problems, i remove studs, replace with bolts, make any future pump job a lot easier. Make sure u use antisieze on bolt threads, my 2cts.

[alaskadan]

[hbmbguy]

[1vw4x4]

No need to drain your oil. I bet some idiot ether bent up the oil filler tube
or worst yet put a syncro oil filler tube on there. Ether way these tubes
bend easy. Open up your license plate door and see if the alignment look
off center. I've install maybe 60 water pumps on these engine and never
touch the oil filler tube the AC compressor or the crank pulley.


Moderator edit: Snide remarks removed.

[atomatom]

one word of warning. be gentle with the dipstick tube. they do break easily. un-attach it from the crossover pipe. it should just lift out once you loosen the clip that holds it to the crossover. also, remember to install it before you re-seal the crossover pipe.
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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.

[Merian]

[MarkWard]

I have seen pro's that were hacks. Kudos to the amateurs.

[hbmbguy]

It turns out I just had to be a bit more forceful in manipulating the crossover pipe off the studs. Once off, it easily slid out of the way and it was easy to get the water pump off and the new one on.

New problem though - While tightening down the new pump, the upper nut stripped before I got it torqued to 15 ft lbs. Now the nut won't tighten or come off the stud.

I guess I'm just a hack! I'm going to post this under a new thread to see if anyone has suggestions.
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1987 Westy

[1vw4x4]

Use a sharp screwdriver and jam it under the nut. As you loosen the nut
the presser of the screwdriver should get it moving off. You may find
the stud undamaged. These are typical hardened.

[OhChit]

1st off your not a Hack. Your simply asking for know how info to help you fix your Van. Take your time your get it..

So discount the negative Know it all Loud mouth.

Pull the pump back off again. and use two of the nuts on the stud.

Tighten tight against each other. Then put a 13mm socket over the outer nut and ease the stud out.. Or rather it should back out..

Once out take it with you to maybe a NAPA or even Sears Hardware to get another stud hopefully it will do the job for you..

BTW this is why newbies should move the AC compressor aside to see where your working and know what your wrenching on.

Best of Luck 2 U
.

.
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Fast Cars, and Slow Women Makes me DrooL.

[djkeev]

[Howesight]

To the OP, if you have not completed this job, a water pump replacement is a GREAT time to also replace the seal behind the oil cooler. This item routinely fails in the first really cold weather upon start up with cold, viscous oil.

Van Café and GoWesty both carry the GOOD seal. Keep up the DIY'n!
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[atomatom]

pretty much all hacks and pros have broken/stripped a bolt on the waterpump/theromstat housing. welcome!

and put some anti-seize on them before putting them back. i don't know why they used such small hardware on this part. at least it is relatively easy to access.

the other thing you may want to do is use a tap/die set on the studs and nuts. you can pick a metric set up for $20 or so. trying to tighten a nut on a stud covered with sealant/corrosion/etc makes it hard to get it tightened to spec and much more likely to get stripped/break.
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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.

[hbmbguy]

Thanks for all the great suggestions, you guys are awesome! I'm hoping it is just the nut that is stripped and not damage to the stud.

The pump seems to be on fairly tight, I'm almost tempted to fill up the system and pressure test, if it doesn't leak, put the pulley and belts back on and fire it up.
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1987 Westy

[Abscate]

Can you get a Dremel down in there to cut the nut off? Might take 5-10 minutes but easy to control. Chase the threads when done.
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[djkeev]