How to Replace the Water Pump in a Cadillac Escalade

How to Replace the Water Pump in a Cadillac Escalade. The water pump is integral to your Cadillac Escalade's cooling system. If it fails to circulate the coolant through the system, then the pump may need replacing to keep your engine from overheating and causing serious damage. Whether you have a 4.8L, 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L, 6.5L, 7.4L or 8.1L engine on your escalade, you'll find the water pump on the front of the engine with a drive pulley attached and either a V-belt or serpentine belt running around this pulley.

4.8, 5.3 and 6.0 Liter Engines

Drain the coolant from the radiator.

Disconnect the air outlet and inlet duct and then disconnect the water pump from the inlet radiator hose.

Disconnect the clutch assembly from the cooling fan and remove the upper fan shroud.

Remove the drive belt, the surge tank and heater hoses and then disconnect the coolant pump from the radiator outlet hose.

Remove the water pump and attach the new one, tightening the bolts to 11 ft. lbs. for the first pass. For the final pass, tighten the bolts to 22 ft. lbs.

Attach the water pump drive belt pulley, tightening the bolts to 89-inch lbs. for the first pass. For the final pass, tighten them to 18 ft. lbs.

Reattach and reinstall all other parts in reverse order.

Refill the coolant to the proper levels. Start the engine and check for leaks when the engine reaches normal working temperature.

5.7 and 7.4 Liter Engines

Drain the radiator of coolant and disconnect the negative battery cable.

Remove the fan shroud, drive belts, alternator with its accessories, the fan and fan clutch and pulley.

Remove all brackets on the water pump and disconnect the water pump inlet and the lower radiator hose.

Remove the heater hose from the water pump and remove the bypass hose for 7.4 liter engines.

Take the water pump assembly from the timing cover and remove the pump.

Add a new gasket to the pump and install the new water pump, tightening the bolts to 30 ft. lbs.

Reattach and reinstall all parts in reverse order.

Refill the coolant to the cooling system and reconnect the battery cable. Start the engine and check for leaks.

6.5 Liter Engine

Drain the radiator of coolant and disconnect the negative battery cable.

Remove the fan along with the fan shroud.

Disconnect the oil filler tube and the air-conditioning hose bracket.

Remove the accessory drive belts, the vacuum pump brackets, bolts and the pump itself and the power steering brackets and pump.

Disconnect the coolant hoses from the water pump and remove the bolts and plate. Remove the pump from the engine and remove the plate from the pump.

Install a new gasket to the plate on the water pump, tightening the bolts to 20 ft. lbs.

Clean the oil from the plate flanges and the block mating surface. Put an anaerobic sealer onto the parts until they are wet to the touch.

Attach the water pump and the plate assembly, tightening the bolts to 20 ft. lbs.

Reattach and reinstall all other parts in reverse order and reattach the battery cable. Refill the coolant, start the engine and check for leaks when the engine is at normal working temperature.

8.1 Liter Engines

Drain the radiator of coolant.

Remove the fan clutch, the outlet hose clamp and the hose.

Take apart the bypass hose clamps at the pump and remove the hose. Also remove the water pump bolts and the pump.

Install new pump gaskets to the new water pump and install the pump, tightening the bolts to 37 ft lbs.

Reattach all parts and hoses in reverse order and refill the coolant. Start the engine and check for leaks when the engine is at normal working temperature.