Cant get water pump Bolt out

PACMANLAWS

MEMBER
1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE
110,000 MILES

I can not get my belt past a bolt that sits behind my tensioner in order to install a new belt for my water pump assembly. My old belt shredded. I tried to lube the belt but there is just not enough clearance to fit the belt thru, does something need to be removed? P.S. I also do not have a new gasket for my water pump, the only way to get another one is to buy a new water pump. I just got the water pump 2 months ago and installed it, will I be ok with no new gasket?

Friday, October 28th, 2011 AT 10:30 PM

2 Replies

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

Is this a Northstar, or 4.9. The Northstar would have no water pump gasket, it uses o-ring type seals. The 4.9 does have a gasket. Which belt are you talking about, the main serpentine, or the water pump belt?

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Monday, October 31st, 2011 AT 3:54 PM

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

Remove the water pump belt tensioner to get the belt out. If the water pump belt is shredded, what is the condition of the drive pulley on the camshaft, and the tensioner pulley. Usually something has seized, and the pulleys also get destroyed.

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Monday, October 31st, 2011 AT 3:56 PM