GMC / Chevy C1500 Water Pump & Timing Chain Cover Replacement - Part 1 of 2

Removal and replacement of the Water Pump and Timing Chain Cover
on the 5.7L GM V8 gasoline engine from 1995 to 2002. This would include the Escalade, pickup, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon and Express. The work performed on this vehicle was a 1999 Chevy C1500 Yukon.
Specialty Tools needed: Chain Strap Wrench, 1/2 air or electric impact driver (or manual impact driver), 3 point pulley removal tool set, Pulley Holder tool.
Approximate repair time: 2.5 - 3.0 hours
Difficulty: Medium

[@glennmanchester1568]

You have some tools like that clamp remover whatever it was that I've never even seen nevermind used lol just seems to me you could have gotten in there with some needle nose or something quicker than that got it off I've done this job many times never found it too difficult to get to that clamp and I use an impact on the harmonic balancer puller you don't have to hold back on the engine besides your gonna make sure it's dead on anyway when the new chain goes on

[@hardlymovingpro]

That "clamp remover" is commonly used by professional mechanics to remove spring clamps in tough to reach areas where needle nose pliers cannot be fitted to squeeze the ears of the clamps. Those that spend a lot of time getting the spring clamps off commonly replace the OEM spring clamps with inferior screw clamps. Here's a video I made a video explaining how its used: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJi2ppVqjtV6iJY If you have the room and can afford the cost of a impact tool, you can use a impact tool to remove the balancer.

[@fullcustomization]

Well, there's the removal video. Where's the installation video?

[@hardlymovingpro]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJamaIBrf854rpI

[@justingarwood606]

So did you cut that bottom seal from the oil pan gasket or can you get a bottom seal specifically for the timing chain cover? My oil gasket is a solid gasket all around including that front seal. Your gasket looks way more convenient. The videos I've seen they use ultra black and make their own seal.

[@hardlymovingpro]

From my recollection, the bottom seal is held to the oil pan with RTV. May have to cut it away to make room for the new seal.

[@kellymitchell6443]

Did you end up dropping the oil pan to get there cover back on lol

[@hardlymovingpro]

No necessary. You have to angle it in properly.

[@kellymitchell6443]

@@hardlymovingpro did you put the gasket on the pan or cover first. Bc I'm doing this right now on a 4.3 same thing tho

[@hardlymovingpro]

@@kellymitchell6443 Cover. It can be a little bit tricky getting everything lined up. Use a lot of RTV to get a good seal.

[@kellymitchell6443]

@@hardlymovingpro ok. Thanks yeah I put it on the cover and tried at the angle but every time I went to tilt it up it would pop back out

[@hardlymovingpro]

I know. Frustrating.

[@historysattic9112]

This was 2.5-3 hours for removal and reinstall??

[@hardlymovingpro]

That's about right.

[@richodd2292]

i replaced mine, it dosnt leak at idle or reving the gas, but on the road i have a leak, i used a whole tube of sealer, whats the issue? clean it and apply more sealer to see if it stops?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Wash / clean everything off then try to find the source of the leak.

[@richodd2292]

@@hardlymovingpro cant find it as it wont leak unless driven, i cleaned everything, filled in anything that looked like a possible leaking point, i will test it tomorrow

[@JohnDoe-hx1wx]

You sure it's leaking and not consuming the oil?

[@birdautorepairtimpsontx5330]

what year model is this?

[@hardlymovingpro]

99 C1500 with the 5.7L motor ... I believe.

[@fletcherwhite9718]

On a1998 GMC. How can I tell if water pump is going out?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Coolant leak through the weep hole and coolant sling marks on the surrounding areas. Also bearing noise.

[@glennmanchester1568]

Or if it's got a bunch of miles on it they are cheap enough to just replace it while your doing it I mean unless you want to take half the front of the accessories apart again in six months or a year because it needs a water pump that's my theory anyway

[@brockdyncatron3775]

Theyre cheap just replace it