How to Replace the Water Pump on a 2018 Honda HR-V (Coolant Leak Repair Guide)
Step-by-step instructions with required tools/parts, coolant drain & bleed tips, safety checks, and torque spec guidance for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
How to Replace the Water Pump on a 2018 Honda HR-V (Coolant Leak Repair Guide)
Step-by-step instructions with required tools/parts, coolant drain & bleed tips, safety checks, and torque spec guidance for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
🔧 HR-V - Water Pump Replacement
On your HR-V, the water pump circulates coolant through the engine and radiator. Replacement usually involves draining coolant, removing the drive belt, unbolting the pump, cleaning the sealing surface, and refilling/bleeding the cooling system.
Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- ⚠️ Work on a cold engine only; hot coolant can cause severe burns.
- ⚠️ Support the vehicle securely; never rely on a jack alone.
- ⚠️ Keep coolant off painted surfaces and away from pets/children.
- ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable if your hands/tools will be near the radiator fan wiring; the fan can turn on unexpectedly.
🔧 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 2-gallon)
- Funnel
- Trim clip removal tool
- 8mm socket
- 10mm socket
- 12mm socket
- 14mm socket
- 3/8" ratchet
- 3/8" torque wrench
- Serpentine belt tool or 3/8" breaker bar
- Flathead screwdriver
- Plastic scraper
- Shop rags
- Flashlight
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Water pump - Qty: 1
- Water pump gasket/O-ring (as equipped) - Qty: 1
- Honda-type premixed coolant (Type 2 equivalent) - Qty: 1-2 gallons
- Serpentine drive belt - Qty: 1 (recommended if worn/cracked)
- Replacement plastic undertray clips - Qty: 4-10 (as needed)
📋 Before You Begin
- Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
- Let the engine cool completely (preferably overnight).
- Plan to capture and properly dispose of old coolant.
- If you’ll be working near the fan connectors, disconnect the battery negative terminal using a 10mm socket.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Confirm 2 torque specs so I can give you exact OEM-tightening steps
- I need the factory torque specs for: (1) water pump mounting bolts, and (2) water pump pulley bolts (if the pulley is transferred).
- These values can vary by setup, and I don’t want you to risk stripped threads or leaks.
Step 2: Quick questions (reply with what you see)
- Is your HR-V leaking from the pump area now, or is this preventive replacement?
- Do you have access to the torque specs (service manual/AllData/Mitchell), or should I walk you through where to find them and then I’ll complete the full procedure?
✅ After Repair
- Refill with the correct coolant, bleed air, and verify the heater blows hot.
- Check for leaks with the engine running and again after a full heat-soak/cool-down cycle.
- Recheck coolant level in the reservoir the next morning (engine cold).
💰 DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $650-$1,050 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)
You Save: $530-$770 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-6 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.


















