🔧 Trax - Water Pump Replacement

Your Trax’s water pump circulates coolant through the engine and radiator. If it’s leaking, noisy, or causing overheating, replacing it restores proper cooling and helps prevent engine damage.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.5-4.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never open the coolant reservoir when hot; wait until fully cool.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers/tools clear of the radiator fan; it can turn on unexpectedly.
• ⚠️ Use only Dex-Cool–approved coolant; mixing types can cause sludge.
• ⚠️ Clean spills immediately; coolant is toxic to pets and people.

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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
• Lug wrench or 19mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Socket set (metric 8mm, 10mm, 13mm, 15mm)
• E-Torx socket set (E10, E12)
• Torque wrench (10–100 ft-lbs range)
• Serpentine belt tool or 15mm wrench
• Flat trim clip tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Hose clamp pliers
• Drain pan (at least 2-gallon)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• Plastic razor scraper
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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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 - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (Dex-Cool compatible premix) - Qty: 2-3 gallons
• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1 (recommended if cracked or glazed)

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and let the engine cool completely.
• Put the heater temperature to HOT later during bleeding (this opens the heater circuit).
• Place a drain pan under the front of the engine area before loosening any hoses.
• Take a photo of the belt routing first.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and access the right-front side

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Use a floor jack to lift the right-front, then support with jack stands.
• Remove the right-front wheel using a 19mm socket.
• Remove the right-front splash shield/inner liner fasteners using a flat trim clip tool and flathead screwdriver.

Step 2: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan under the radiator/engine front area.
• Slowly loosen the coolant reservoir cap by hand to release any leftover pressure (engine must be cool).
• Drain coolant by removing the lower radiator hose clamp with hose clamp pliers and easing the hose off (use shop rags to control spills).

Step 3: Remove the serpentine belt

• Rotate the belt tensioner using a serpentine belt tool or 15mm wrench to relieve tension.
• Slip the belt off one pulley, then remove it from the engine.

Step 4: Remove the water pump pulley

• If the pulley bolts are tight, reinstall the belt temporarily to hold the pulley from spinning.
• Remove the water pump pulley bolts using a 10mm socket, then remove the pulley.
• Torque on install: 10 Nm (89 in-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the water pump

• Place shop rags under the pump area for remaining coolant.
• Remove the water pump mounting bolts using an E10 E-Torx socket (some fasteners may be 10mm socket depending on pump design).
• Pull the pump straight off the engine.

Step 6: Clean the mating surface

• Use a plastic razor scraper and shop rags to remove old gasket material and residue.
• Do not gouge the aluminum surface.
• Clean and dry surfaces prevent leaks.

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 and start all bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern using an E10 E-Torx socket.
• Torque: 10 Nm (89 in-lbs) + 30°

Step 8: Reinstall the pulley and serpentine belt

• Reinstall the pulley and tighten bolts with a 10mm socket.
• Torque: 10 Nm (89 in-lbs)
• Route the belt according to the underhood belt diagram (or your photo).
• Rotate the tensioner using a serpentine belt tool or 15mm wrench and slip the belt into place.

Step 9: Reassemble splash shield and wheel

• Reinstall the inner liner/splash shield using the flat trim clip tool and flathead screwdriver.
• Reinstall the wheel using a 19mm socket.
• Torque: 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs)

Step 10: Refill and bleed the cooling system

• Close/secure the lower radiator hose and clamp using hose clamp pliers.
• Fill the coolant reservoir slowly using a funnel with Dex-Cool compatible premix coolant.
• Start the engine and set HVAC to full HOT and low fan.
• Let the engine idle and top off as the level drops (keep the reservoir from running empty).
• Once at operating temperature, confirm steady heat from vents and no leaks.

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✅ After Repair

• Check for leaks around the pump and lower radiator hose with the engine idling.
• After the first drive and full cool-down, recheck coolant level and top off if needed.
• If the temperature gauge rises abnormally or heat isn’t consistent, stop and re-bleed (air may be trapped).

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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.