Water Pump: Testing and Inspection

To test the water pump on 1983 and 1984 Rabbits, first remove the thermostat. Insert a long screwdriver into the water pump as shown to jam the impeller and prevent it from turning. Insert 6-mm Allen wrenches into two of the three water pump pulley bolts.

Then, with the impeller jammed and the Allen wrenches inserted, use a 250-mm (10-in.) long screwdriver placed between the Allen wrenches to turn the pulley. If the pulley moves, the impeller is loose and the impeller housing (the right part of the pump) should be replaced.