Changing the water pump?

Tiny
GRADMATT72
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 176,000 MILES
Do I have to pull the motor to replace the waterpump on my 1996 Honda Accord? One of the problems I have is that the car overheats when driving down the freeway with the air on. The car can idle for 2 or more hours in the driveway with the air on and not overheat. I can also drive it around town with the air on and it does not overheat. I got the car from a family memeber who had previous engine work done by a mechanic, the mechanic replaced seals, timing belt and thermastat. I have flushed the radiator and replaced the coolant. The waterpump is my next thing to do. What do you guys think. Any help you could give me would be greatly appriciated. Thank you, Grady Matthews
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 AT 8:34 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Iif this is a 1.5 then"
'by pass the fan swicth on the thermostat
housing to see if the fan works. If it does when the connector is shorted then replace the switch.

Otherwise post the size.

Doesn't sound like a waterpump. Rarely are the fins corroded to cause this. But possible.
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Thursday, July 24th, 2008 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
GRADMATT72
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The engine size is 2.2 4cyl, both fans work when engine reaches a temperature
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Thursday, July 24th, 2008 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
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Since the engine is under more duress when the overheat occurs, it may be a head or block problem that is not showing until it is.

One way to tell if it still has a leak is to drive it on the highway but before it gets into the red zone on the gauge, pull it over safely and look for overflow into the overflow tank-bubbles or rising level in the tank is a sure sign of block or head leakage.
Make sure cap is good.
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Friday, July 25th, 2008 AT 5:18 AM
Tiny
DAVID LAMBERTS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Had the same problem with my 98 accord. On the freeway it would overheat quickly, but at l could dive around town all day with no problem. After removing the water pump it tuned out that the impeller had broken loose from the main shaft. At higher RPMS the water pump has to push more water, which has more resistance.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 4:01 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,840 POSTS
I have seen this problem as well. Please feel free to use 2CarPros anytime!
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
BEN30205
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1996 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
My accord is heating up at idle. I think it is the water pump. It cools down after car accelerates even the slightest bit. When I looked up the water pump it says it is timingbelt driven. Now I am confused. Would this still be a normal water pump malfunction. I have just replaced the thermostat and radiator. I am not sure what else it could be. Please Help. I am on vacation 600 miles from home and do not want to fix this on the side of the road. Thank You.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi ben30205,

Should not be the water pump.

Check if the radiator coolant level is full. The symptom seems like coolant level is not enough.

Bleeding was not done well when replacing the radiator and thermostat.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BEN30205
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank You guys very much. I had it serviced before the trip and they said it was all full. Ha. You guys were right. It was a whole half gallon low. Glad this Honda is a champ or it would have overheated on me during the first round of the trip. Thanks Again. You guys are a life saver.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SARAHNOWAK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 HONDA ACCORD
1996 Honda Accord 4 cyl Automatic 130k miles

I thought I had a leak in the raidiator. After several trips to a mechanic and no fix I had a back alley guy come and take a look. He said the water pump is bad and I need to replace that as well as the timing belt.

I dont know much about cars but after searching on the internet I have found that a lot of people suggest replaceing the following all at the same time;
-timing belt
-tensioners
-water pump
-seals
-balance shaft belt
-valve cover gasket
-flush coolent
-thermostat

3 Questions.
1. What is essential to replace when I am doing the water pump?
2. Can I safely drive the car for a few weeks short distances (5-10 miles trips) til I have the funds to get it fixed?
3. What can I expect to pay? I have seen estimates of $350 to $1000
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-1
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HONDAMAN6200
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Sarah,
First make sure the leak is in fact coming from the water pump. You want to replace the timing belt, balancer belt, water pump, valve cover gasket, and engine coolant. Do not replace the tensioners unless they are bad or starting to fail. The technician needs to inspect them upon removal. They usually last a very long time. Do not pay extra for a flush unless the coolant is discolored or shows other signs that it is needed. If the thermostat has never been changed you may want to do it now but it can be done later just as well. If the car has not been overheating and the heater works well you may want to wait and do it when you need it. Other items that may be in question are spark plugs, valve adjustment, rocker arm o-rings, EGR ports plugged up with carbon, air filter, and more. There are many areas of your car that need to be maintained. Look for a Honda specialist that you feel comfortable with. Ask your friends where they take their Honda. Good luck.
Dave
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SARAHNOWAK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you so much for your reply. It was very helpful.
I am not sure when anything was last replaced as my husband purchased the car only a few months ago.

My husband and I could not find a leak in the raidiator but tried putting some bars leak stop in at suggestion of a mechanic friend. That did nothing. The leak is so bad at this point the raidiator has to be filled daily. The car has only over heated twice when parked and running for a long period of time and the antifreeze was low due to the leaking.

Now the raidiator fan does not seem to be coming on as well. /Sigh

Thanks again :)
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PLV42196
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 HONDA ACCORD
  • 120,000 MILES
From wat I understand the crank bolt turns same direction as crank pully4water pump. And that I needed to have the crank bolt broken via impact in order to attempt replacement of water pump. Is this so?If so how?If not so where do I begin?I have sum experience with vehicle repair however this is sumthing I have never heard this before and wanted sum verification. Please help. And Happy early holidays.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
There is a special tool that holds the crankshaft pulley and lock the engine so you can undo that bolt, otherwise you may have to get it loosened and then nipped up with a 3/4"impact gun, these are extremely tight to undo.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)

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