🔧 Crosstrek - Water Pump Replacement

On your Crosstrek, the water pump circulates coolant through the engine and radiator. If it’s leaking, noisy, or the engine is overheating, replacing the pump restores proper cooling and helps prevent engine damage.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cold engine only; hot coolant can cause severe burns.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep coolant off belts and pulleys; it can cause belt slip.
• ⚠️ Dispose of coolant properly; it’s toxic to people and pets.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required, but keep hands clear of fans and belts.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Funnel
• Spill-free coolant fill funnel kit (specialty)
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 3/8" torque wrench (5–80 Nm range)
• Serpentine belt tool (14mm)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pliers
• Plastic gasket 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 supplied with pump) - Qty: 1
• Subaru Super Coolant (blue) premix - Qty: 2 gallons
• Accessory drive belt - Qty: 1

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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 fully (radiator hoses should feel cool to the touch).
• Raise the front with a floor jack and support with jack stands.
• Set HVAC to full hot later during bleeding (this opens coolant flow through the heater core).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower engine cover (if equipped)

• Use a flathead screwdriver and 10mm socket to remove the clips/bolts holding the undertray.
• Set the fasteners aside in a small container so they don’t get lost.

Step 2: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan (at least 10-quart) under the radiator drain area.
• Slowly open the radiator cap to relieve any remaining pressure.
• Open the radiator drain (use pliers if needed) and drain the coolant.
• Tip: Keep coolant off the belt area.

Step 3: Remove the accessory drive belt

• Locate the belt tensioner at the front of the engine.
• Use a serpentine belt tool (14mm) to rotate the tensioner and relieve belt tension.
• Slip the belt off the pulleys and remove it from the engine bay.

Step 4: Remove the water pump pulley

• Hold the pulley from turning by keeping the belt on temporarily, or by holding the pulley by hand carefully.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the water pump pulley bolts, then remove the pulley.
• During reassembly: Torque the water pump pulley bolts to 9.5 Nm (7.0 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the water pump

• Place shop towels under the pump area to catch remaining coolant.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the water pump mounting bolts.
• Gently break the seal and pull the pump straight off (more coolant will spill into the drain pan).

Step 6: Clean the mating surface

• Use a plastic gasket scraper to remove any old gasket material from the engine surface.
• Wipe clean with shop towels until the surface is smooth and dry.
• Tip: Don’t gouge the aluminum surface.

Step 7: Install the new water pump and gasket

• Install the new gasket/O-ring onto the new pump (match the original orientation).
• Position the pump on the engine and start all bolts by hand (prevents cross-threading).
• Use a 10mm socket to snug the bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern.
• Final tighten using a 3/8" torque wrench: Torque the water pump mounting bolts to 9.5 Nm (7.0 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the water pump pulley and belt

• Install the pulley and hand-start the bolts.
• Use a 10mm socket to snug them, then torque the water pump pulley bolts to 9.5 Nm (7.0 ft-lbs).
• Route the belt correctly around all pulleys.
• Use the serpentine belt tool (14mm) to rotate the tensioner and slip the belt fully into the pulley grooves.
• Visually confirm the belt is centered on every pulley.

Step 9: Reinstall the lower engine cover

• Reinstall the undertray using the 10mm socket and flathead screwdriver for clips.

Step 10: Refill and bleed the cooling system

• Install a spill-free coolant fill funnel kit (specialty) at the radiator fill neck.
• Slowly add Subaru Super Coolant (blue) premix with a funnel until full.
• Start the engine and set HVAC to hottest temperature and medium fan.
• Let it idle until the radiator fans cycle on/off; add coolant as the level drops.
• Squeeze the upper radiator hose carefully (wear nitrile gloves) to burp trapped air.
• Once bubbles stop and the level stabilizes, shut the engine off and let it cool completely, then top off and install the cap.

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✅ After Repair

• Check for leaks around the pump and hose connections with the engine running.
• Verify cabin heat is hot (a common sign air is fully bled out).
• After a full cool-down, recheck coolant level and top off if needed.
• Test drive 10–15 minutes, then recheck for leaks again.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $330-$570 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 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.