DIY: Stewart Water Pump + Expansion Tank + Coolant Change + 2 Tensioner Pullies

The fan has no pulley.

Just found this DIY and set it to favorites!

I can hear my pulleys making noise now that the temps are getting colder. I was going to do these soon and ordered the parts from Pelican... But then I started thinking about the water pump... Then the hoses... Then the expansion tank, etc...

I also want to look into replacing the manual clutch fan with the electric fan. My thoughts right now are that the auto has two fans (maybe) for a reason. From what I have read... You remove the clutch fan and the front ux fan on the automatic versions and then you install the electric fan using the sensor from the front fan. I would assume that the front fan, on an automatic, would turn on at times that it as about to overheat. (IE, the clutch stopped working correctly.)

If you replace the clutch fan with an electric fan using that logic... The new electric fan would only come on at the preset temp saying the car was in overheat mode. Is this correct?

Can anyone shoot holes in that logic? (Please!) I'd like to upgrade but am unsure because of this.

I am replacing my water pump and cant figure out out to get the belt off. the first one was fine, release tension with the spring no big deal. this one I feel is different than the videos, I dont have a 16 mm in that spot i was using a 14 and that even did nothing. I have a coupe, 5 speed? and help. thank god i have the day off

Originally Posted by awszach

I am replacing my water pump and cant figure out out to get the belt off. the first one was fine, release tension with the spring no big deal. this one I feel is different than the videos, I dont have a 16 mm in that spot i was using a 14 and that even did nothing. I have a coupe, 5 speed? and help. thank god i have the day off

It's under the dust cap on the pulley in the middle of the big ones. Also, this is probably a 45 torx if I remember it correctly.

Originally Posted by awszach

I am replacing my water pump and cant figure out out to get the belt off. the first one was fine, release tension with the spring no big deal. this one I feel is different than the videos, I dont have a 16 mm in that spot i was using a 14 and that even did nothing. I have a coupe, 5 speed? and help. thank god i have the day off

You've got the hydraulic tensioner. As stated before, pry off the dust cap on the pulley and check for what size you need under there. Be gentle. It finesses nicely.

dust cap, tensenor?
am stupid?
this is ridiculous

No worries. We are all learning here. Hope you for it figured out.

Alright guys, I got the belt off but not my loosening the tension, now i still need to learn how to loosen the tension to get it back on, my car is in pieces in the driveway and I have to cancel my big plans tomorrow now =(

please help me guys, I have put a wrench on all the bolts/nuts IDK! nothing is giving me tension, I tied the allen, the i think it was either 14 or 11mm socket. what am i supposed to do nothing is giving me tension??

I thought there was a smaller area to put a wrench on to untorque the tensioners?

I am doing a complete cooling system overhaul this weekend so I will follow this...

OP... Have you checked out pictures on the Internet of tensioners that are NOT installed so you can get a good look at how they work? As I recall.. There is a 5/8" spot to get a socket on to undo the tension...

Originally Posted by awszach

Alright guys, I got the belt off but not my loosening the tension, now i still need to learn how to loosen the tension to get it back on, my car is in pieces in the driveway and I have to cancel my big plans tomorrow now =(

please help me guys, I have put a wrench on all the bolts/nuts IDK! nothing is giving me tension, I tied the allen, the i think it was either 14 or 11mm socket. what am i supposed to do nothing is giving me tension??

Did you take the belt off? It goes back on the same way. Did you route the new belt the same way?
The hydraulic tensioner defaults to the tightest position. Get the belt in place and wrench the tensioner to a 'looser' position. Ease the belt back over the idler, and release the wrench slowly.
If this does not help, you need to write down much more info so we can spot what you are doing wrong. We have done this before and it works fine and is easy if you're doing all the steps correctly.

Originally Posted by Stinger9

Did you take the belt off? It goes back on the same way. Did you route the new belt the same way?
The hydraulic tensioner defaults to the tightest position. Get the belt in place and wrench the tensioner to a 'looser' position. Ease the belt back over the idler, and release the wrench slowly.
If this does not help, you need to write down much more info so we can spot what you are doing wrong. We have done this before and it works fine and is easy if you're doing all the steps correctly.

yes, my problem is "wrenching the tensioner to a looser position, i have absolutely no idea how to do it. iin my picture i pointed im trying everything i can connect a tool to and nothing is giving me this tension. if someone would take my picture and put an arrow on what is supposed to be giving me tension? i have absolutley no idea and i think ive tried them all...

Take a look at your picture where you labeled ' the bolt does nothing'.. This is ur hydraulic tensioner.. on one end of the tensioner, there's a pulley.. This is the one that will relieve the tension. This is the one you labeled 'This pulley does nothing in any direction'.. There is a lot of tension on this one. YOu will need a breaker bar.. Go clock-wise to relieve the tension. You will see the entire pulley moving as it relieves the tension.. REmember, it is a high tension..

Originally Posted by mps

Take a look at your picture where you labeled ' the bolt does nothing'.. This is ur hydraulic tensioner.. on one end of the tensioner, there's a pulley.. This is the one that will relieve the tension. This is the one you labeled 'This pulley does nothing in any direction'.. There is a lot of tension on this one. YOu will need a breaker bar.. Go clock-wise to relieve the tension. You will see the entire pulley moving as it relieves the tension.. REmember, it is a high tension..

Good description. Just add that it moves slowly as you are literally moving hydraulic fluid with a piston. Strong steady torque and you will see the pulley move.

verry nice guys, its a combination of them! i just went from dreading life without a car in this cold spring, to, i cant wait for the sun to come up to keep trying

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