I have to replace the water pump in my '03 TB. Although I've changed many water pumps over the years, I wanted to know if there were any special procedures for doing it on this vehicle. Any special tools required? Does this vehicle have a spring loaded idler pulley that allows for easy removal of the serpentine belt?

Thanks,
Jim

If you can wait till Monday evening, I'll look up the procedure and spell it out for you.

I've only seen one done at our shop (Chevy dealer) and I don't think it was too bad, but I'm not sure. I wasn't the tech who actually did the work on that one. For a lot of things you are supposed to evacuate the A/C system.

52,

Are you serious, evacuate the AC?!?!?!? What in the world does that have to do with the water pump or the cooling system??? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Oh, you bet I'll wait for your procedure. There is obviously something different about this vehicle if the AC system must be purged.

Jim

Just inconvenient things like where they run the lines. Often right over the top of the fan shroud and with no clearance.

They crammed a lot of stuff int he way on that series.

Do you have the inline-6 or the 5.3l v-8?

OK, that makes sense. BTW, it's a V-6.

Hmm. Now I'm confused.

The Trailblazer is the new body style, and had 2 engine options. Either a 4.2L I-6 or a 5.3L V-8.

The old style Blazer (S-10) came with a 4.3L V-6.

Either way, I have the service information for a Trailblazer, 4.2L I-6 ready for you.

If it is indeed a Blazer with a 4.3L V-6, the water pump procedure is very straightforward. Just like a normal, old-tech Chevy.

Oops, I'm the one confused. It is an inline 6. Vortec 4200. Sorry.

I sent you a PM.

hey 52, where'd ya go???

Aw, crap. Something didn't work. Sorry about that.

Here's the quicky version:

Take off the grill. Take of the upper radiator support. This allows you to tip the radiator forward.

Take out the fan shroud. You'll have to take the fan loose from the pulley. It's a very tight fit, clearance-wise. There's also a couple of tranny cooler lines clipped to the shroud. You'll probably have to disconnect the upper radiator hose to get the clearance you need. Sometimes the battery and tray need to come out to gain extra clearance.

Keep in mind that the fan clutch is electro-viscous, so there is an electrical connection to deal with. Forget to re-connect it or mess it up on dis-assembly and you will have a check engine light on. It'll probably keep the fan locked up while it's faulted too, so it'll be noisy.

A/C stuff shouldn't be an issue on that year. It is for some things, I don't remember what. But for the pump you should be ok.

After the fan and shroud are out, the rest is pretty straightforward.

The refill procedure is fairly complicated sounding, but it's basically a matter or revving the engine to 3000 rpm and holding it there for a bit, then allowing it to idle. Do this a few times till the reservoir level drops, then top it off.

Hope that helps.