How to Replace Engine Water Pump 09-12 Chevy Traverse 

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

Makes all the difference in the world when you have a lift

Followed this and replaced in my 2012 Traverse with 110K miles. Thanks!! Easy job, took about 3 hours and this was my first time doing this. I removed the water pump through the top of the engine near the fuse box, so use of a pry bar. Also, coated the new gasket lightly with Permatex #2. Tight space but manageable with a lot of patience!

You earned your money on this one!! I would charge so much to do this, nobody would come to me for this fix !! I have an Ecotec 2.2L, 4-cyl., on which the water pump is THE hardest part to replace. Look up any one of the many repair videos on You Tube, and they will confirm this.

Excellent camera angles!

I just did this on an 11 buick enclave. This was very helpful. I was able to drop the water pump down through the bottom near the rear of the crank pully. I don't know if the buck is a little different, or if i need to look at my engine mounts closely... lol I swear engineers have fun trying to make the most confusing surpitine belt arrangement. 😂 On mine i noticed signs that the leak might also be coming from the water outlet right next to the water pump. I had planned this out and bought all of the seals just incase. I found the bolts on that outlet housing were finger tight!! Just something to watch out for i guess. Like gen 4 ls with afm are known to have the same issue on the valley cover/vlom i guess. I had a heck of a time trying to get that gasket to go in place, and to shove my hands up there to get a bolt started. I ended up scratching the gasket seal surface just a tiny bit before i opted to use a thin coat of sealant to help that gasket stick to the block. I'm sure I'll regret that decision later but it worked like a charm. 😊 And I'll also note that the factory service manual says to pull the upper engine mount for this job. In order to do that i would need to move the fuse box and the tray it snaps into. So i opted for your method, but the top bolt was the biggest pita. Thanks for the video, and i hope my comment helps someone out!

Man Oh Man, you saved me all kinds of trouble with this video! Thank you so much

Really good detailed install. Thanks for making these videos

Great Video! Very helpful! Love how you guys always try to help hard working people save money👍👍👍

Another great installation video. Much appreciated! Great for reference, making it simple to hit it quick and get it done fast and right. 👍

YOU guys are awesome The first page was a bit blurry though, the one with a list of things you need to complete the job

gonna have to do mine from the ground, but it definitely is doable. thanks

Good job 👍 very nice video 👌 Sir

This was a great help!!! Thanks!!!Dave K.

Thanks for your videos guys.and for taking the time to make them.keep it up.

I did this on my wife’s 2014. Took a total of about 4 hrs. It sucked doing it from ur back but its doable. Patients is key!!! I left belt on to loosen bolts to pulley. Then removed belt, pulley, water pump. I had to pry motor over to drop out water pump. Vise Versa installation.

Are the 4 bolts that hold the pulley to the pump torque to yield also? My new water pump only came with the 6 bolts to mount the water pump.

have a 2016 traverse and for a period of time the temperature has been going over 210. It fluctuates between 215-230. It only does it when going slow or idling. I have checked the coolant and it is to the fill line. I’m having the whole coolant changed on Friday. I have read that maybe there is air in the system. But I am also wondering if it could be something more. The fan stays on after turning it off and while running it gets so loud like I have never heard it before

If I went to all that trouble I’d replace the belt and thermostat for sure, and maybe the hoses too.

I wish they would tell you how to get to the bolts. The number one bolt at the top I could not get my hand on or a tool on going from top or side. I had to buy a tool from harbor freight but finally got it.

Good Job Bro🔧😎💪

Factory Service info says the torque is 89 in-lbs PLUS an additional 45 degrees. These are torque to yield bolts.

Where do I get that FUNNEL?

Hello, Nice video. I saw some other videos for R&R of the water pump on the Chevy Traverse. I those videos they mentioned having to use a special tool to prvent the timing gear from falling out of position and losing the timing of the engine. I notice you didn't use that tool. I do not understand why it seems to be needed by some mechanics and and not so much needed by others such as you demonstrated. Perhaps you might be able to shed some light on this. Thanks! D 2021/12/12 ----

Can you please do a video on how to replace the belt tensioner AND idler pulley on this same vehicle? Ours is a 2015, & the mechanic I took it to couldn't pull the bolt out all the way that holds the idler pulley in place. He said the bolt was too long & hits on the unibody, & wouldn't come out all the way. So he wasn't able to change out my idler pulley and belt tensioner. I was in denial because I was hoping to get these 2 swapped out with the new belt & water pump just as a preventative measure, not because they were bad. (I had already bought the parts). Please help!

Isn’t it recommended that you replacing the thermostat too whenever you change the water pump? Thanks so much for all your videos! You’ve helped me save three vehicles and a boatload of money that would’ve gone towards the hefty labor charges.

What do you need for a collapse water hose to the radiator?

This repair is subject to a special coverage warranty 13091 - Special Coverage Adjustment - Water Pump Shaft Seal Leaks for 2009 thru 2010 Chevy Traverse Mileage 120,005 Year 2019

Can you tell me what the specs of the new bolts are that I'll have to buy

I have a 2011 Acadia. Is it the same procedure ?

What do you do for a collapsed water hose that goes to the radiator

I didn't notice you added gasket sealant when replacing??

Thanks so much for helping me with my cars🚐🚐🚐🚙🚙🚙🚘🚘🚘🚗🚗🚗🚚🚚🚚

Funny, I have never in 15 years cared what direction the belt spin was. And you know what? In 15 years it never has mattered.

No sealant?

Good video, dude needs to up his tire and plastic clip game..

Where can I get that funnel and adapter?

What do you mean when you say torque to yield? Thanks again!

For what it's worth: GMC Acadia 2011, son in law and I changed the water pump took about 4 hrs. If you're not patient don't attempt this project. We took of the front fender for a little better access and better lighting. We could not pry on the engine enough to drop old pump from bottom like he did. Instead SIL reached in from above on battery side while I pushed the pump up to him; bravo. Installed the new pump and gasket from above too. To remove the old pump bolts could be done with baby finger torque, very easy. We did not have new bolts but very carefully installed the old ones back in. Suggest you get the metal gasket like in video the soft one we had was a bit challenging (thank God Jesus showed up)! The next joke was getting to the radiator cap to fill the system OMG talk about poor design GM!! All said and done she's up and running fine! Good luck and God Bless!!! Thanks again 1aauto great videos!!

Wow kinda a lot of little work to get to it . Definitely need a lift to do it instead of on your back . Good video thx

I’m trying to install my water pump and for some reason the bolts that were in it already seem to be too long now, causing it to not turn for me. I’m so confused on why

Where can I find the pulley bolts?????

This job is a pain in the ass without a lift. I did our 2012 acadia on my back. Great video though.

Do one on a Buick LaCrosse 2010

Is the procedure the same for a 2014?

How long did it take you to complete that job?

How in the world do you get the top water pump bolt?????????????????????????😢

How many miles did you change it at?

Why not add gasket sealer on that gasket on the water pump first then put it all up there together

I don’t believe there is any way to refill the radiator through the recovery bottle . It Has to go through the radiator cap first

You forgot to finish TTY on water pump bolts

That round metal bulb on the water pump points DOWN, not to the back of the car.

I've had engine water pump leak .. combined with wallet failure (no $$$) ...It was really bad situation ... Then ended up with restoration "project" ... ... LOL ...LOL...LOL ...

For those whose pump doesn’t just drop down I was able to get mine out up and around the back of the engine after removing the fuse box. It sucked

I just paid $1000 to replace the water pump and thermostat and it seems like is an easy job. Looks like I got ripped off 🤦🏻‍♂️

Want some advice before you do this job with No drain valve on the radiator. Buy about 7 feet of 7/16 or 1/2 inch clear plastic tubing, get a plastic, dish washing tub, heat the tubing with a hair dryer if it has a curve from being on a roll to make at least 3 feet of it straight. Remove the radiator cap, , stick the tube in till it goes to the bottom of the radiator, you will have about 4 feet of hose coming out of the radiator, put that end in the wash tub. Remove the overflow tube that hooks to the radiator neck, next use an air compressor with the pressure set around 12 to 15 lbs or more if you want to use the blower gun lever to control the flow of air. Stick the tip of the blow gun into the neck of the radiator next to the clear hose coming out, then take a wet rag or stuff some rubber gloves or something to seal around the hose and blow gun sticking in the in the neck of the radiator, hold it down with your hand, put your thumb or a finger on the overflow nipple on the neck, press the trigger on the blow gun to pressurize the radiator, the air will push the antifreeze out through the hose. When the antifreeze starts flowing out of the end of the clear plastic tube into the wash tub, you have started a siphon effect, now you can take whatever you used to block off the neck away from the radiator to let air in and the antifreeze will flow into the tub until the radiator is empty or to the point where the hose is inside the radiator. This is a good way to save your antifreeze rather than letting it gush all over the frame of your car washing dirt and crap into it when pulling a hose lose with the cooling system full. A good idea before doing this, is to try and have the side or corner of the car where the neck is be positioned lower than the rest of the car to remove the most antifreeze. I am a neat freak so I came up with this idea after watching guys pulling hoses lose on a full system with antifreeze going everywhere and all over them and the frame of the car., I thought there's got to be a better way.

Why so much torque for the lug nuts?I though 100 ft lbs is enough.

I need a inch torque 🔧