I have a golf 3 1995 and it does not want to idle it just bein in repairs for new radiator. V belt tensioner new water pump. Fuel pump. Cowely branch. Timing set. New rotor and plug leads every time I come to a stop the car switches off and I can't seem to find the fault I sometimes have to drive with the choke on

I would suggest tat you have the valve timing professionally checked Pinging ( detonation) is from air/fuel mixture and ignition timing and the sound may be from incorrectly adjusted /aligned tensioner pulley on the cam belt.

You've already eliminated #3 and #6, so keep checking...

Priority Action Part Type Cause
1 Inspect Radiator Cooling System Clogged.
2 Inspect Radiator Radiator Fins Obstructed.
3 Inspect Radiator Cap Worn or Damaged Radiator Cap.
4 Inspect Radiator Fan Motor Faulty Fan Motor.
5 Inspect Belt Incorrectly Routed, Adjusted (Tensioned), Missing or Worn Drive Belt(s).
6 Inspect Thermostat Faulty Thermostat.
7 Inspect Water Pump Worn, Cracked or Leaking Water Pump.
8 Inspect Radiator Fan Relay Intermittent Failure

The water pumo is located behind the timing belt cover youll have to remove the timing belt to replace it. The 2.4 engine is similar to the 2.0 Neon motor. It wasn't a quick and easy job but doable if you have a puller for the crank pulley and patience.

You will be working under the right front wheel well a lot. And like mentioned above - get a repair manual. You'll need to re-tension the timing belt.

Remove radiator and fan and anything that will block you from getting to the water pump. I suggest take pictures of each step that you disconnected all parts getting to the water pump and the removal of the water pump with a digtal camera and take the pump to the parts dealer so that you get an exact match.

Next read the instructions that come with the pump. Clean all old gasket and glue off of the place where you will install the new water pump (take your last picture you take and reverse the order and reinstall the gasket/sealer and water pump and all other parts).

Use a tork wrench on the bolts, add water and anti-freeze to the radiator and start the car and look for leaks.

Hope this helps.

Problem is not your radiator--unfortunate for you. It's more likely the water pump. The water pump pumps the water around through your radiator to be cooled and then through the engine block to cool your motor. Before you go tearing the water pump out though, you may want to check to see if your fan belt is in good condition and working properly because the water pump works off of the fan belt turning the pulley to pump the water around. If the fan belt is off that pulley, it may need to be put back on or re-routed correctly to start pumping the water.

Then if that is not your problem, the water pump will probably need to be replaced. I believe it can be accessed from underneath the engine compartment, but first you will have to take the tension off the fan belt and remove the belt, then loosen the bolts around the front of the water pump. Put a catch pan under the car though because all your water/antifreeze will come gushing out. That water pump should be available at your local AutoZone or another auto parts store for around $100.

Hi. Here's the proceudere on how to replace the water pump of your 97 Chevy Cavalier.


•1
Drain the cooling system. Place a large oil drain container under the drain fitting located on the bottom of the radiator. Turn the drain fitting counterclockwise until fluid is draining from the radiator. Use a pair of pliers to turn the drain fitting if you cannot turn it by hand. Turn the fitting clockwise to tighten it after all of the fluid has drained from the radiator.
•2
Remove the cooling fan. Disconnect the electrical connection from the fan motor. Remove the bolts holding the fan assembly to the radiator support with a ratchet wrench. Pull the fan assembly up from the engine compartment and remove it.
•3
Remove the serpentine belt. Place a wrench over the belt tensioner and rotate the tensioner to release the tension on the belt. Pull the belt off the pulleys and remove it from the vehicle.
•4
Remove the water pump pulley. Place a screwdriver behind the pulley to lock it in place while removing the pulley mounting bolts with a ratchet wrench.
•5
Disconnect the coolant hoses running to the water pump.
•6
Remove the water pump mounting bolts with a ratchet wrench or wrench and remove the water pump from the vehicle.
•7
Clean the mating surfaces of the engine block and new water pump with a towel saturated with lacquer thinner.
•8
Apply a thin layer of RTV sealer to both sides of the new water pump gasket and place the gasket on the new water pump.
•9
Place the water pump against the engine block and finger tighten the water pump mounting bolts to hold the pump in place. Tighten the bolts with a torque wrench to 18 foot-pounds.
•10
Place the pulley on the water pump and install the water pump pulley mounting bolts with a ratchet wrench.
•11
Attach any hoses previously disconnected from the water pump.
•12
Install the serpentine belt. Route the belt over the pulleys according to the routing diagram in the engine compartment. Place a wrench over the belt tensioner and rotate the tensioner to tighten the tension on the belt.
•13
Install the cooling fan. Gently lower the cooling fan in position and install the mounting bolts attaching the fan assembly to the radiator support with a ratchet wrench. Attach the electrical connection to the fan motor.
•14
Refill the cooling system to the appropriate level, start the vehicle and check for leaks around the water pump.

All the best!

It's under the timing cover on the front of the engine. I have pasted autozone.com instructions to replace the water pump below.

3.0L & 3.5L Engines

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
2. If necessary, properly release the fuel pressure.
3. Drain the cooling system.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Negative battery cable
   

CAUTION Wait at least 90 seconds after the negative battery cable is disconnected to prevent possible deployment of the air bag.

Upper radiator shroud Accessory belts Air conditioning compressor tensioner pulley, if equipped Cooling fan and clutch assembly and the water pump pulley Thermostat and housing on 3.0L, 3.5L engines Water outlet, gasket and houses Radiator hoses from the water pump Crankshaft pulley(s) Timing belt covers. If the same timing belt will be reused, mark the direction of the timing belt's rotation, for installation in the same direction. Be sure the engine is positioned so the No. 1 cylinder is at the TDC of its compression stroke and the sprockets timing marks are aligned with the engine's timing mark indicators. Timing belt Water pump bolts are different lengths, note their positions before removing. Water pump from the block Water pipe connection and O-ring

To install:

1. Clean and dry the mating surfaces of the block and water pump
2. Install or connect the following:
   
   New O-ring on the water pipe connection, wet the new O-ring with water to aid in installation Water pump, with a new gasket, Torque the bolts to 17 ft. lbs. (23 Nm) on 3.0L and 3.5L engines Alternator bracket bolt to 17 ft. lbs. (23 Nm) Timing belt(s) and covers Crankshaft pulley(s) Thermostat and housing on 3.0L, 3.5L engines. Torque the bolts to 12-14 ft. lbs. (17-20 Nm). Radiator hose to the water pump Water outlet, new gasket and houses. Torque the bolts to 12-14 ft. lbs. (17-20 Nm). Water pump pulley Cooling fan and clutch assembly Air conditioning compressor tensioner pulley, if equipped Accessory belts Upper radiator shroud Thermostat and housing on 3.0L, 3.5L engines Negative battery cable
   
3. Refill the radiator with coolant. This cooling system has a self-bleeding thermostat, so system bleeding is not required.
4. Run the vehicle until the thermostat opens and fill the overflow tank. Check for leaks.
5. Once the vehicle has cooled, recheck the coolant level.

Kia Sportage 1998-02
Water Pump - Removal & Installation

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Drain the cooling system.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Negative battery cable Lower splash shield Upper and lower radiator hoses Coolant reservoir tank hose Fresh air duct Fan and shroud Loosen the alternator mounting and adjusting bolts Alternator belt Fan pulley and bracket Upper and lower timing belt covers and turn the crankshaft until No. 1 cylinder is at Top Dead Center (TDC). Loosen the tensioner lockbolt and pry the tensioner away from the belt Timing belt Loosen the tensioner bolt Water pump Tensioners from the water pump
   

To install:



Fig. Exploded view of the water pump mounting

1. Clean the surface of any old gasket material.
2. Install or connect the following:
   Tensioners on the water pump Water pump and gasket. Torque the bolts to 19 ft. lbs. 25 Nm). Timing belt Loosen the tensioner lockbolt and allow the tensioner to rest against the belt. Torque the tensioner lockbolt to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm). Upper and lower timing belt covers Fan bracket assembly and fan pulley Drive belt Cooling fan and shroud Position the radiator and torque the bracket bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm). Torque the shroud bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm) and torque the alternator adjusting and mounting bolts Position the fresh air duct over the radiator and tighten the retaining bolt 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm) Radiator hoses and tighten the clamps Lower splash shield Negative battery cable
3. Fill the cooling system.
4. Start the vehicle and bring the engine to operating temperature. Check for leaks and repair if necessary.

Good luck (remember rated this).

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain the coolant into a suitable container.
3. Disconnect the radiator outlet hose.
4. Remove the radiator fan motor assembly.
5. Remove the accessory drive belts.
6. Remove the timing belt, tensioner and camshaft angle sensor. Refer to the procedure in this section for removal and installation steps.
7. Remove the left side camshaft pulley(s) and left side rear timing belt cover. Remove the tensioner bracket.
8. Disconnect the radiator hose and heater hose from the water pump.
9. Remove the water pump retainer bolts.
10. Remove the water pump.

To install:

1. Clean the gasket mating surfaces thoroughly. Always use new gaskets during installation.
2. Install the water pump and tighten the bolts, in sequence, to 7-10 ft. lbs. (10-14 Nm). After tightening the bolts once, retighten to the same specification again.
3. Inspect the radiator hoses for deterioration and replace as necessary. Connect the radiator hose and heater hose to the water pump.
4. Install the left side rear timing belt cover, left side camshaft pulley(s) and tensioner bracket.
5. Install the camshaft angle sensor, tensioner and timing belt.
6. Install the accessory drive belts.
7. Install the radiator ran motor assembly.
8. Install the radiator outlet hose.
9. Fill the system with coolant.
10. Connect the negative battery cable.
11. Start the engine and allow it to reach operating temperature.
12. Check for leaks.

Have you replaced the original water pump that has a plastic impeller? This can crack where it is connected to the shaft for the pulley. When it does it will spin slower or not spin at all at higher engine speeds although it might seem fine during idle. When you do this repair I suggest to do the timing belt service too. Water pump repair calls for timing belt removal to access the water pump bolts. It's best to consider timing belt repair work so you won't have to do it later on.

I'm going to assume you have the 4WD model..here are the instructions for removal and install:

1. Drain the cooling system.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Negative battery cable Lower splash shield Upper and lower radiator hoses Coolant reservoir tank hose Fresh air duct Fan and shroud Loosen the alternator mounting and adjusting bolts Alternator belt Fan pulley and bracket Upper and lower timing belt covers and turn the crankshaft until No. 1 cylinder is at Top Dead Center (TDC). Loosen the tensioner lockbolt and pry the tensioner away from the belt Timing belt Loosen the tensioner bolt Water pump Tensioners from the water pump

To Install:

1. Clean the surface of any old gasket material.
2. Install or connect the following:
   
   Tensioners on the water pump Water pump and gasket. Torque the bolts to 19 ft. lbs. 25 Nm). Timing belt Loosen the tensioner lockbolt and allow the tensioner to rest against the belt. Torque the tensioner lockbolt to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm). Upper and lower timing belt covers Fan bracket assembly and fan pulley Drive belt Cooling fan and shroud Position the radiator and torque the bracket bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm). Torque the shroud bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm) and torque the alternator adjusting and mounting bolts Position the fresh air duct over the radiator and tighten the retaining bolt 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm) Radiator hoses and tighten the clamps Lower splash shield Negative battery cable
   
3. Fill the cooling system.
4. Start the vehicle and bring the engine to operating temperature. Check for leaks and repair if necessary.