🔧 Traverse - Water Pump Replacement

Your Traverse’s water pump circulates coolant through the engine and radiator. When it leaks or the bearing wears out, you can lose coolant and overheat the engine, so replacing it promptly prevents bigger damage.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.0-4.0 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Let the engine cool completely before opening the coolant system (hot coolant can burn you).
• Support the vehicle securely on jack stands if you lift it—never rely on a jack alone.
• Keep coolant off belts and electrical connectors; wipe spills immediately.
• Use only Dex-Cool-approved coolant for your Traverse.
• Battery disconnect is not usually required for this job, but keep tools clear of the radiator fan area.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Drain pan (at least 3-gallon)
• Funnel
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• 8mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension set
• Serpentine belt tool
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive, ft-lb range)
• Plastic gasket scraper
• Shop towels

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Water pump (3.6L) - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket / seal - Qty: 1
• Dex-Cool coolant (prediluted 50/50) - Qty: 2-3 gallons
• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1 Optional but smart if worn

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Let the engine cool fully (ideally overnight).
• If you lift the front, raise with a floor jack and support with jack stands.
• Set the HVAC to full heat later during bleeding to help purge air.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan under the radiator drain area.
• Remove the radiator cap on the surge tank slowly (only when cold).
• Open the radiator drain using a flat-blade screwdriver (if equipped) and drain coolant.
• If there is a lower splash shield in the way, remove fasteners using an 8mm socket and a trim clip removal tool.

Step 2: Remove the engine cover and intake ducting

• Pull up to remove the engine cover (it’s retained by grommets).
• Loosen intake clamps using an 8mm socket and remove the air inlet duct as needed for access.
• Move any small harness clips out of the way using a trim clip removal tool.

Step 3: Loosen the water pump pulley bolts (before removing the belt)

• Locate the water pump pulley at the front of the engine.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to crack the pulley bolts loose while the belt still holds the pulley from spinning.
• Loosen only—do not remove yet.

Step 4: Remove the serpentine belt

• Relieve belt tension using a 15mm socket with a serpentine belt tool on the belt tensioner.
• Slide the belt off the pulleys and remove it from the engine bay.
• Take a quick photo of the belt routing before removal.

Step 5: Remove the water pump pulley

• Finish removing the pulley bolts using a 10mm socket.
• Remove the pulley and set it aside.

Step 6: Remove the water pump

• Position the drain pan under the pump area (more coolant will spill).
• Remove the water pump bolts using a 10mm socket and/or 13mm socket with a 3/8" ratchet and extensions.
• Remove the water pump from the engine.
• Clean the gasket surface using a plastic gasket scraper and shop towels.
• Important: Do not gouge the aluminum sealing surface.

Step 7: Install the new water pump and gasket

• Install the new gasket/seal onto the new water pump (match orientation exactly).
• Position the pump and hand-start all bolts.
• Tighten bolts evenly using a 10mm socket / 13mm socket and a 3/8" ratchet.
• Final-tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to GM specification for your Traverse’s 3.6L water pump bolts.

Step 8: Reinstall the water pump pulley and belt

• Reinstall the pulley and start bolts by hand.
• Snug pulley bolts using a 10mm socket.
• Reinstall the serpentine belt using a 15mm socket and serpentine belt tool, following the routing diagram.
• Torque the pulley bolts with a torque wrench: Torque to GM specification for the water pump pulley bolts.

Step 9: Refill and bleed the cooling system

• Close the radiator drain.
• Refill the surge tank using a funnel with Dex-Cool 50/50 until it reaches the cold fill line.
• Start the engine and set the heater to HOT, fan medium.
• Let it idle and watch the coolant level; top off as needed.
• Once the thermostat opens and you get steady heat, shut the engine off and let it cool fully, then recheck and top off again.

---

✅ After Repair

• Inspect for leaks around the water pump with the engine running and again after a full heat-soak/cool-down cycle.
• Confirm the heater blows hot and the temperature gauge stays normal during a test drive.
• Recheck coolant level the next morning (engine cold) and top off if needed.
• Dispose of old coolant properly (most parts stores accept it).

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $370-$930 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.0-4.0 hours.

---

🎯 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.