1997 Buick Park Avenue Water pump / sepentine Belt

RICKZ1

MEMBER
1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE

Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Buick Park Avenue 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

Hello,

I need to replace my drive belt and water pump and would like info on the procedure. I know I need to remove the engine support to do this and support the engine. Do I have to jack the car up and support it on jack stands and remove the motor support bracket, etc? It appears I will need to, is this correct?

3 Replies

ERNEST CLARK

MECHANIC
1,730 POSTS

No, you don't need to jack the car up. In fact, this will make it harder for you, than easier.

Support the engine (using a block of wood on the jack pad so you don't damage the oil pan), remove the engine support bracket and you'll be able to remove the belt.

The procedure for removing the water pump is as simple as removing the bolts. But during installation, don't forget to use high-temp silicon around the gasket, on both the water pump and engine block mating surfaces. And you'll have to follow the directions on the RTV tube to allow the silicon to set up properly.

You don't have to use this, but from my experience, you'll have leaks in the future if you don't.

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Thursday, February 25th, 2010 AT 10:58 AM

RICKZ1

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hello Sir,

Thanks for the info, I understand what you said, however, I have two bolts connected to the rubber engine mount which is attached to the car frame with three bolts. I will have to raise the engine about 4 inches obove these two bolts to remove the engine support bracket to remove the belt and replace the water pump, there is not enough room to do this unless I unlosen the 2 nuts connected to the engine mount. It appears I need to remove the 3 bolts from the frame which holds the motor mount (rubber) itself to drop it out of the way so I can then remove the engine support bracket to replace the belt and water pump. Is this correct? Hate to be a pain in the (blank) on this but the engine support bracket appears it has to come off two bolts which are about 3 inches high which is connected to the rubber motor mount attached to the frame of the car.

Thanks and regards

Rick

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Thursday, February 25th, 2010 AT 8:48 PM

ERNEST CLARK

MECHANIC
1,730 POSTS

Yes, this engine support bracket does have to come off. This is why you support the engine with a jack. And once you remove the bolts, you drop the engine down slightly in order to remove the support bracket.

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Thursday, February 25th, 2010 AT 9:26 PM