Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Water Pump Repair Olds 98 V6 3800 engine, blown head gasket, olds cutlass


Question
Car overheated after 5-10 minutes of driving. Radiator overflow level OK. Radiator cap not hot to touch. Changed Thermostat, still overheats. Suspect water pump? Anything else wrong? How much does it cost to replace water pump? What is required to be removed (timing belt, etc?) Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Mark Smith

Answer
Hi Mark,
I just ran outside and looked at my 95 Olds Cutlass, 3100V6, and it looks very easy to change the pump. it is operated by the serpentine belt.
I would remove the heater hose, and start it, to see if the pump is working.
I assume you bled all the air out of the engine when you replaced the therm.
It may be that you have a blown head gasket.
But open those little bleed screws, on the water pump, and near the thermostat, and get all the air out.
Van