How to Change a Water Pump on a 2002 Duramax Diesel

The Duramax is a series of eight-cylinder diesel engines manufactured by General Motors and Isuzu since 2001. General Motors uses these engines in larger, heavy-duty trucks. For example, the 6.6-liter Duramax is an engine option in the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD pickup truck. The water pump circulates coolant around the engine to prevent it from overheating. The water pump on a 2002 Duramax diesel engine is on the front of the engine and is accessible from the left-front wheelhouse of the vehicle.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the inner panel for the left-front wheelhouse with a socket wrench. Place a drain pan under the radiator drain, and remove the radiator drain plug. Drain the coolant into the drain pan, and replace the drain plug.

2

Disconnect the housing for the thermostat and the clutch for the cooling fan with a socket wrench. Remove the balancer from the crankshaft. Disconnect the mounting nuts for the outlet hose, and detach the hose from the water pump. Disconnect the retainer for the engine wiring harness from the outlet hose of the water pump.

3

Remove the mounting bolt from the water pump with a socket wrench. Record the locations of each bolt, since they have different lengths. Detach the water pump and its gasket from the engine.

4

Lubricate the gasket for the water pump with engine oil, and replace the gasket. Install the new water pump and tighten its mounting bolts to 15 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

5

Connect the retainer for the engine wiring harness to the outlet hose for the water pump. Attach the outlet hose to the water pump and tighten its mounting nuts to 15 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Replace the thermostat housing and crankshaft balancer with a socket wrench. Install the clutch for the cooling fan.

6

Fill the radiator with coolant. Replace the inner panel for the wheelhouse in the left-front fender.