- 1). Disconnect the battery ground cable and set it aside, ensuring that it does not touch metal. Side a drain pan under the radiator petcock. Open the petcock (or unscrew the drain bolt) and allow the antifreeze to drain into the drain pan. If the pan is clean, you can reuse the antifreeze.
- 2). Loosen the tensioners and remove the drive belts. If the tensioner is a slider, loosen the bolt in the slider and push the accessory towards the engine. If the tensioner has a pulley, push the pulley away from the belt with a wrench or socket. Unbolt and remove the alternator and its bracket.
- 3). Unscrew the water pump pulley mounting bolts. Pull the pulley off the water pump. Remove the water pump mounting bolts then pull the water pump off the block. If it sticks to the block, use a screwdriver to pry it off.
- 4). Scrape any stuck-on gasket or gasket silicone off the gasket mounting surface on the water pump and the block. Clean any other debris off the surfaces with a shop rag.
- 5). Line the water pump sealing surface with a thin layer of silicone gasket maker. Stick the gasket onto the water pump. Allow the gasket maker to dry. Line the gasket with a 1/16-inch wide bead of the silicone gasket maker. Allow it to skin over so that when you gently touch it, it does not come off on your finger.
- 6). Insert one water pump retaining bolt into each side of the water pump or near the top (whichever is most convenient for you). Turn the bolts into the block, making sure the water pump does not touch the block. When the water pump is about 1/4 inch from the block, insert the rest of the bolts and run them into the block with a socket until they are the same depth as the first two bolts.
- 7). Push the water pump against the block evenly. Tighten the water pump retaining bolts to 18 foot-pounds of torque. Install the water pump pulley. Tighten the pulley mounting bolts to 22 foot-pounds of torque.
- 8). Reinstall the alternator bracket, alternator and drive belts. Tighten the petcock or drain bolt in the radiator. Refill the radiator. Connect the negative battery cable then start the Cavalier to check for leaks.
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