Any mechanics?

[Mugz]

I have a piece if crap 98 Chevy S-10 PU. Need to replace the water pump with AC. Any tips? Was told the fan was a beatch to remove.
I have replaced the serpentine belt before.....so I'm familiar with that part of it.
Just took it into the dealer...had a bad U joint. He gave me a list of stuff that needed to be replaced...with a price list that came to $700!!!!
Yesterdays bill read : Parts = $40, Labor = $175. I feel like I have been robbed. The truck MIGHT be worth $1200, so there was no way I was going to spend the $700.
I elected to do the water pump and radiator flush myself. What am I in for???

[fishaholic18]

Water pump is not bad to do. Does the fan look like it's scewed right onto the water pump? Has a big nut in center? Was the u-joint you had replaced a front axle joint? If so, they can be a bitch to do, have to remove front hub and axle to get at it. I've done a ton of them.
Wish my body wasn't so f-ed up right now, I'd do it for ya.

[taJon]

Buy one of those Chilton manuals or Haines manuals for the truck. Very good info in them. Just take your time and you'll be fine. Remember to get new gaskets and sealant for it while you're at the parts store. Won't be bad, changed the one on my Jeep in an hour or so. Oh ya, get lots of coolant. Gonna need that

[fishaholic18]

Yeah, and make sure u mix coolant 50/50 with H2O

[Mugz]

I don't plan to have the truck too much longer. I am basically patching what I need to in order to keep it on the road. Hope to have it for another month or two. I am just trying to avoid the big ticket fixes.
The dealer replaced the U joint on the driveshaft yesterday.....

I am also going to check the library to see if they have a set of those manuals....(can't remember the last time I went there)...DUH.

When I do the water pump I plan on doing a radiator flush as well. lots of coolant.
Thanks for the tips. I'm saving myself about $250 doing it myself.

[beamie]

Mugz,

Look at it this way. Like you I have an old truck... '91 Dakota....spending 500 to 700 on ocassion to keep it going reliable.

The way I look at it, it is allot cheaper than a new truck loan payment at $400 a month.

[taJon]

You can just buy the coolant premixed, same price too. A little easier that way. The manuals are $20 and the info in them will save you lots of cake. My manual has kept my Jeep going and extra year already and I don't see it being replaced too soon.

[macojoe]

I has a S10 and the only way I got the air out was to drain all fluid out again, run the motor to get as mush out as possible with out over heating!
Drive up on ramps so the nose is in the air, start motor and start adding fluid slow till full, air lock should be gone.
worked on both my S10, will never own another!!