Obviously I'm new here but I hope you guys can help me with some info. I have a 98 S-10 ZR2 4.3L V6 that needs a new water pump and the service engine light is on. The water pump is an easy fix if I can find the right tool to hold the water pump pully so I can loosen the fan/clutch nut. So any advice on where I can barrow, rent, or buy the tool? The service engine light I had checked at Autozone and they gave me the code and description. I don't remember the code number but the description was "Vacuum circuit malfunction" has anyone here dealt with this or have any knowledge of it. My MPG has not decreased and I can't tell there is any power loss. My Haynes repair manual does not go into the vacuum circuit at all so any help would be appreciated greatly.

 

i read this lastnight i dont know why i didnt say this then.... when i have to take the fan shi poopy off i just leave the belt on and loosen the bolts then take the belt of and take the bolts out.. and the vaccum... just listen and if you hear a whistle then find where its comeing from and replace the hose, or you can just start looking at ALL the air hoses and replace ANY that maybe cracked or damaged.

 

The problem isn't the bolts that hold the pully to the water pump those are easy. On mine there is also a nut that threads on to the end of the water pump (not the pully) that connects the fan clutch to the water pump. When I tried to loosen it with the belt on, the water pump and pully would turn instead of loosening the nut. I tried turning it both directions and it still did not come loose. I even tried putting extra pressure on the belt by prying up on the belt tensioner still nothing. The four bolts that hold the pully to the pump would loosen without turning the pump. On the vacuum thing I have listened for whistles and can't hear any. I checked all the lines I could find and they all seemed to be in good shape. I know looks can be deceiving but I might have to just start changing them out 1 at a time and see if I can find it.

 

This has been posted a few times....can't remember where though.....

Here's a link to the snap-on brand, but you may find it cheaper with another company

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

 

Ok thank you very much for the link. I started looking on line last night and found that Advance lists a fan clutch wrench set which might work that is a lot cheaper. I know with tools you get what you pay for but if it even works 2 times it is still cheaper than the Snap On. Here is a link http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...12_T%7CGRP2083____

 

thats strange i never had that problem in my 89 silverado.... the nuts your talking about dont come off mine either they where like tac wielded on but the hole nut and bolt came out on mine. yeah try using that tool.. sorry i wasnt any help... your heater might be vaccum it might have come undone..

 

I managed to get my waterpump changed but I had to get creative to do it. I found a piece of hardened flat stock with a quarter inch hole in one end that was small enough to fit between 2 of the pully bolts. I put a bolt in the flat stock and then into one of the four non bolt holes of the water pump pully then turned everything till the flat stock hit a bolt head holding the pully to the pump. Then I had to take a Big F'n Hammer to the end of my 20 inch crescent wrench to get the fan clutch nut to break free. I don't know what made it stick like that but prying alone would not break it free. I looked at a set of those wrenches at Advance and they did not have a tool in it to hold the waterpump pully so I didn't buy them.

 

a little cheaper yet....I know you already got ti but someone else might need it....

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...ench&Submit=Go