🔧 Water Pump - Replacement

The water pump on your Accord is driven by the timing belt, so this job is more involved than a simple accessory repair. You’ll need to remove the timing covers and timing belt, then install the new pump and re-time the engine carefully.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 6-8 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work only on a completely cold engine. Hot coolant can cause severe burns.
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal before starting.
• Support the engine properly when removing the passenger-side engine mount.
• Do not rotate the crankshaft or camshafts after the timing belt is removed unless you are following the timing procedure exactly.
• Drain and dispose of coolant properly. Keep it away from children and pets.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Metric socket set
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Metric wrench set
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Drain pan
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Engine support bar (specialty)
• Timing belt locking tool (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer puller (specialty)
• Coolant funnel kit
• Gasket scraper
• Plastic trim removal tool

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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 - Qty: 2 gallons
• Timing belt kit - Qty: 1
• Timing belt tensioner - Qty: 1
• Timing belt idler pulley - Qty: 1
• Accessory drive belt - Qty: 1
• Valve cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Front crankshaft seal - Qty: 1
• Camshaft seal set - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool completely.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable.
• Raise the front of the vehicle and support it with jack stands.
• Replace the timing components now.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain the coolant

• Use a drain pan under the radiator.
• Open the radiator drain and remove the cap slowly.
• Drain enough coolant to get the level below the water pump.

Step 2: Remove access components

• Use a 10mm socket and Phillips screwdriver to remove the intake ducting, splash shields, and any covers blocking access.
• Remove the accessory drive belt using a 19mm socket or breaker bar on the belt tensioner.

Step 3: Support the engine

• Use an engine support bar (specialty) or a properly placed jack with a block of wood under the engine.
• Remove the passenger-side engine mount with a 14mm socket and 17mm socket.

Step 4: Remove the crank pulley and timing covers

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to remove the crankshaft pulley bolt.
• Use a harmonic balancer puller (specialty) if the pulley is stuck.
• Remove the timing covers with a 10mm socket.

Step 5: Set engine timing to top dead center

• Use a 19mm socket to rotate the crankshaft by hand.
• Align the timing marks exactly at top dead center.
• Double-check the marks before removing the belt.

Step 6: Remove the timing belt components

• Use a 12mm socket and 14mm socket to release the tensioner.
• Remove the timing belt carefully.
• Remove the tensioner and idler pulley if you are replacing them.

Step 7: Remove the old water pump

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the water pump bolts.
• Break the pump loose gently and remove it from the engine.
• Clean the gasket surface with a gasket scraper.

Step 8: Install the new water pump

• Install the new gasket on the pump.
• Use a 10mm socket to install the pump bolts evenly by hand first.
• Torque to factory specification.
• Make sure the pump seats flat with no pinched gasket.

Step 9: Reinstall timing components

• Install the tensioner and idler pulley using a 12mm socket and 14mm socket.
• Install the timing belt, keeping the marks aligned.
• Set belt tension according to the factory procedure.
• Torque to factory specification.

Step 10: Reassemble the front of the engine

• Reinstall the timing covers with a 10mm socket.
• Reinstall the crank pulley using a 19mm socket and torque it to factory specification.
• Reinstall the engine mount with a 14mm socket and 17mm socket.
• Reinstall the accessory belt with a 19mm socket.

Step 11: Refill and bleed the cooling system

• Use a coolant funnel kit to refill with the correct coolant mix.
• Bleed air from the system with the engine running and heater set to hot.
• Top off coolant as the air purges.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and check for leaks at the water pump and hose connections.
• Watch the temperature gauge closely during warm-up.
• Verify the heater blows hot air and the radiator fans cycle normally.
• Recheck coolant level after the first heat cycle.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,100-$1,800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $850-$1,150 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 6-8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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