2.3L Engine

See Figure 2

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable

2. Detach the oxygen sensor connector.

3. Properly drain the engine coolant into a suitable container. Remove the heater hose from the thermostat housing for more complete coolant drain.

4. Remove upper and lower exhaust manifold heat shields.

5. Remove the bolt that attaches the exhaust manifold brace to the manifold.

6. Break loose the manifold to exhaust pipe spring loaded bolts using a 13mm box wrench.

7. Raise and safely support the vehicle.

It is necessary to relieve the spring pressure from 1 bolt prior to removing the second bolt. If the spring pressure is not relieved, it will cause the exhaust pipe to twist and bind up the bolt as it is removed.

8. Remove the manifold to exhaust pipe bolts from the exhaust pipe flange as follows:

   1. Unscrew either bolt clockwise 4 turns.

   2. Remove the other bolt.

   3. Remove the first bolt.

9. Pull down and back on the exhaust pipe to disengage it from the exhaust manifold bolts.

10. Remove the radiator outlet pipe from the oil pan and transaxle. If equipped with a manual transaxle, remove the exhaust manifold brace. Leave the lower radiator hose attached and pull down on the outlet pipe to remove it from the water pump.

11. Carefully lower the vehicle.

12. Remove the exhaust manifold, seals and gaskets.

13. Loosen and reposition the rear engine mount and bracket for clearance, as required.

14. Remove the water pump mounting bolts and nuts. Remove the water pump and cover assembly, then separate the two pieces.

Images available only to Customers.


Fig. 2: View of the water (coolant) pump mounting—1994 2.3L engine shown

To install:

15. Thoroughly clean and dry all mounting surfaces, bolts and bolt holes. Using a new gasket, install the water pump to the cover and tighten the bolts finger-tight.

16. Lubricate the splines of the water pump with clean grease and install the assembly to the engine using new gaskets. Install the mounting bolts and nuts finger-tight.

17. Lubricate the radiator outlet pipe O-ring with antifreeze and install to the water pump with the bolts finger-tight.

18. With all gaps closed, tighten the bolts, in the following sequence, to the proper values:

    1. Pump assembly-to-chain housing nuts—19 ft. lbs. (26 Nm).

    2. Pump cover-to-pump assembly—106 inch lbs. (12 Nm).

    3. Cover-to-block, bottom bolt first—19 ft. lbs. (26 Nm).

    4. Radiator outlet pipe assembly to pump cover—125 inch lbs. (14 Nm).

19. Install the exhaust manifold.

20. Raise and safely support the vehicle.

21. Install the exhaust pipe flange bolts evenly and gradually to avoid binding.

22. Connect the radiator outlet pipe to the transaxle and oil pan. Install the exhaust manifold brace, if removed. Lower the vehicle.

23. Fasten the bolt that attaches the exhaust manifold brace to the manifold.

24. Install the heat shields.

25. Attach the oxygen sensor connector.

26. Fill the radiator with coolant until it comes out the heater hose outlet at the thermostat housing. Then connect the heater hose. Leave the radiator cap off.

27. Connect the negative battery cable, then start the engine. Run the vehicle until the thermostat opens, fill the radiator and recovery tank to their proper levels, then turn the engine off.

28. Once the vehicle has cooled, recheck the coolant level.

You do not need to Remove the chain. If this helped please accept.