It should be a lot easier than you make it sound. It is a late model
1.9D engine in a Vanagon with no A/C. As long as they have a long wobble
extension they should be able to get the upper pump housing bolts to the
block removed.

Mark and Joaquin, do not under any circumstances fool with the diesel
injection pump or injection lines. Same goes for the timing belt. That
stuff is best left for people who know VW diesels and who have the
special diesel tools.

Mark

Andrew Philbrick wrote:
> Some tips on the water pump replacement.
>
> I'm assuming it is the same 1.6 NA (or even 1.6 turbo) diesel engine that
> was in the Rabbit/Golf, so here is what I learned when changing the water
> pump on my 81 Rabbit Diesel.  There are two ways I found to go about it.
>
> Prep - remove the alternator and air conditioning pump (if equipped) and
> brackets.  The water pump bracket has 4 bolts holding it to the engine case
> - two upper and two lower.  The issue becomes getting the two upper bolts
> off.
>
> Option 1 - Remove the injection pump to access the water pump housing.  It
> is pretty straight forward from there (just remove/clean/replace
> everything)  However, this may not be ideal as you will need to reset the
> injection pump timing (I'm not sure if you or the travelers have the tools
> to set the pump).
>
> Option 2 - Get a 13mm "S" curved wrench (like the one shown here -
> http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/xlarge/SXT-994002M_xl.jpg)
>   The angle of this wrench will allow you to get at the two upper bolts
> holding the water pump housing to the engine case - even with the injection
> pump still in.  Small but steady turns to get it free.
>
> If you go with option 2 (as I did when replacing my water pump), there is
> still plenty of room to clean the block and hand turn the bolts.....just
> can't get the angles with a normal wrench.
>
>
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Andrew