how hard is it to change a water pump in a 97 2.5L it went out and makin all kind of noise
plus leaking antifreeze across motor and down the bellhousing? need info fast before i start plz!!

 

I did a timing belt and a water pump two weeks ago, and its not too bad, accept for the power steering pump bracket....there are 5 screws holding it in, 2 of which are tuff to get, and one is impossible to get. It's located between the engine and the firewall. The water pump is behind the timing belt so you should replace both. I have 100,000 miles on a 99' JXi and when I pulled off my old timing belt it was like brand new. Get a Chiltons manual, tools, timing belt kit, water pump, antifreeze, power steering fluid, radio, and a drink of your choice, start your project on Fri. after work, and make sure you have a second car to drive back and forth to the auto parts store, like I did. I was not about to pay $1000 for the job. It costed me about $250 and a weekend...Good Luck and let me know how it turned out.

 

Ah - in the same boat with the bolt between the engine and firewall. How did you manage to get it out?