Assumption: This is the belt-driven engine water pump on your Soul’s 1.6L (Gamma) engine; torque specs can vary slightly by production date—use these as best-practice specs and verify if you have access to factory data.

🔧 Soul - Water Pump Replacement

The water pump circulates coolant through the engine and radiator. When it leaks or the bearing fails, you can lose coolant, overheat, or hear grinding/whining from the pump area.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.5-4.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never open the coolant cap on a hot engine; let it cool fully.
• ⚠️ Support the Soul with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Coolant is toxic—use a drain pan and keep it away from pets.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers/tools clear of the belt path while rotating parts.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is recommended before working near the alternator.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Funnel
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Socket set 8mm-19mm
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Extensions (3" and 6")
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs)
• Serpentine belt tool (specialty)
• Pliers
• Plastic razor scraper
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Water pump - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket/O-ring (as equipped) - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (Hyundai/Kia compatible P-OAT long-life, premix 50/50 or concentrate + distilled water) - Qty: 2-3 gallons
• Serpentine/accessory drive belt - Qty: 1 (recommended if worn or oil-soaked)
• Hose clamp(s) - Qty: 1-2 (only if originals are weak)

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Let the engine cool completely.
• Disconnect the battery: use a 10mm socket to remove the negative terminal and tuck it aside.
• Raise the front-right corner with a floor jack and support it with jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the right front wheel and splash shield

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the wheel lug nuts, then remove the wheel.
• Use a trim clip removal tool and flathead screwdriver to remove the fender liner/splash shield fasteners and move the liner aside.

Step 2: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan (at least 10-quart) under the radiator drain area.
• Slowly loosen the coolant reservoir cap by hand to release any remaining pressure.
• Open the radiator drain (petcock) using pliers if needed, and drain the coolant.
• Close the drain when finished (snug only—do not over-tighten plastic).

Step 3: Remove the engine undercover (if equipped)

• Use a 10mm socket and trim clip removal tool to remove the lower cover fasteners.

Step 4: Relieve belt tension and remove the serpentine belt

• Use a serpentine belt tool (specialty) or 1/2" drive breaker bar to rotate the belt tensioner and relieve tension.
• Slide the belt off a smooth pulley first, then remove it from the rest of the pulleys.
• Tip: Draw a quick belt routing sketch.

Step 5: Remove the water pump pulley (if equipped)

• Hold the pulley from turning by keeping the belt on temporarily, or use your hand to steady it.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the pulley bolts, then remove the pulley.
• Torque to 10 Nm (7 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 6: Remove any components blocking access

• If the coolant hose(s) block the pump, release clamps with pliers and carefully twist/pull hoses off.
• Use shop towels to catch remaining coolant spills.

Step 7: Remove the water pump

• Place the drain pan under the pump area.
• Use a 10mm socket and extensions (3" and 6") to remove the water pump mounting bolts.
• Remove the pump from the engine (a small amount of coolant will spill).

Step 8: Clean the sealing surface

• Use a plastic razor scraper to remove old gasket material without gouging the aluminum.
• Wipe clean with shop towels until the surface is dry and smooth.
• Tip: No scratches—sealing depends on this.

Step 9: Install the new water pump and gasket/O-ring

• Install the new gasket/O-ring onto the new pump (match orientation exactly).
• Position the pump, then hand-start all bolts to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern using a 10mm socket.
• Torque to 11 Nm (8 ft-lbs) for water pump mounting bolts.

Step 10: Reinstall the water pump pulley (if removed)

• Install the pulley and hand-start bolts using a 10mm socket.
• Torque to 10 Nm (7 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall hoses, belt, and covers

• Reinstall coolant hose(s) and secure clamps using pliers.
• Route the belt correctly, then rotate the tensioner using a serpentine belt tool (specialty) or 1/2" drive breaker bar and slip the belt into place.
• Reinstall any undercovers using a 10mm socket.
• Reinstall the splash shield with a trim clip removal tool and flathead screwdriver.
• Reinstall the wheel and tighten lug nuts with a 17mm socket.
• Torque to 88-108 Nm (65-80 ft-lbs) for wheel lug nuts.

Step 12: Refill and bleed (remove air) from the cooling system

• Reconnect the battery negative terminal using a 10mm socket.
• Fill the coolant reservoir slowly using a funnel with the correct coolant mix.
• Start the engine and let it idle; set the heater to HOT.
• As the engine warms up, watch coolant level and add as needed.
• When the radiator fan cycles and heat is steady, shut the engine off and let it cool fully, then recheck and top off.

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✅ After Repair

• Check for leaks around the pump and hose connections with the engine running.
• Verify the temperature gauge stays normal on a 10-15 minute test drive.
• After the next full cool-down, recheck coolant level and top off if needed.
• If you hear belt squeal, re-check belt routing and pulley alignment.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $550-$950 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $90-$220 (parts only)

You Save: $460-$730 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.5-4.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.