🔧 Water Pump - Replacement

The water pump circulates coolant through the engine and radiator. On your CR-V, this is a belt-driven engine-mounted pump, so the job starts with draining coolant and removing the drive belt for access.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work only on a completely cold engine. Hot coolant can cause serious burns.
• Use jack stands if you raise the vehicle. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Keep coolant off the drive belt and pulleys. A contaminated belt should be replaced.
• Dispose of old coolant safely. It is toxic to people and animals.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Breaker bar
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Drain pan
• Funnel
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Shop towels
• Gasket scraper

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Water pump - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant, Honda Type 2 equivalent - Qty: 1 gallon
• Drive belt - Qty: 1
• Thermostat gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool completely.
• Open the radiator cap only after the engine is cold.
• If the coolant is old or dirty, plan to refill with fresh coolant.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan under the radiator drain plug.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver or your fingers to open the drain plug, then let the coolant drain fully.
• Close the drain plug after draining. Tighten to 3 N·m (27 in-lbs).
• Keep pets far away from coolant.

Step 2: Remove the right front wheel and splash shield

• Raise the right front of the vehicle with a floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• Remove the wheel with a 19mm socket.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the splash shield fasteners and set the shield aside.

Step 3: Remove the drive belt

• Use a 14mm socket and breaker bar on the belt tensioner.
• Rotate the tensioner to unload the belt, then slip the belt off the pulleys.
• Inspect the belt. Replace it if it is cracked, glazed, or oil-soaked.

Step 4: Remove the water pump

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the water pump bolts.
• Pull the pump straight off the engine. A gentle wiggle may help.
• Remove the old gasket and clean the mounting surface with a gasket scraper.
• Do not scratch the aluminum surface.

Step 5: Install the new water pump

• Position the new gasket and water pump on the engine.
• Start all bolts by hand with a 10mm socket.
• Tighten the bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern. Torque to 12 N·m (9 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Reinstall the belt, shield, and wheel

• Use the 14mm socket and breaker bar to rotate the tensioner again and reinstall the drive belt.
• Make sure the belt sits correctly on every pulley.
• Reinstall the splash shield with a 10mm socket.
• Reinstall the wheel and tighten the lug nuts with a 19mm socket. Torque to 108 N·m (80 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Refill and bleed the cooling system

• Use a funnel to refill the radiator with fresh coolant.
• Fill the overflow reservoir to the MAX line.
• Start the engine and let it idle with the heater on full hot.
• Watch the coolant level and add more as air bleeds out.

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✅ After Repair

• Check for leaks at the pump, hose connections, and drain plug.
• Let the engine reach operating temperature and confirm the radiator fan cycles on.
• Recheck the coolant level after a full cool-down.
• Test drive briefly, then inspect again for leaks.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $650-$1,050 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$260 (parts only)

You Save: $530-$790 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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