Okay dudes I am back.
Allisons 92 SE is running great, passed emissions with flying colors and hs now got POWER back. All 6 are firing, injectors are clean, new coils and plugs, new exhaust, saved her almost $800 by doing it all myself. So thank you very much!!! Because of you I have now been getting the royal treatment from my girl.

Anyways her car has got a coolant leak. I have kept my eye on it, and it is a small leak, but it is leaving a puddle on the driveway at night. So here it goes. 92 Se with 220K miles.

Is it the waterpump?

Any common things I should check?

I havent got in there to take a close look but I figured I would ask here first for advice....obviously I will check hoses, etc, but I am just trying to get an idea of what I am in for on this baby....

May get to do the timing chain earlier then I thought.....

 

around where are the puddles appearing? where in relation to the engine bay?
if by the belts it's a good shot the WP is going.
early signs of failing WP...
leaks when cold
no leak when hot

and no u do NOT have to do the t-chain when you're doing the pump.

 

Yes thats right, the puddle is right where the belts are.

I know I dont have to do the chain at the same time, but I figure I gotta tear into it anyways....

whats the job like replacing the pump? I can do a waterpump on my Ford in about 2-3 hours tops. I am guessing on this Nissan I am looking at a Saturday job, right? Prices for a WP?

Thanks for the quick reply!!

 

you're not even going to be close to the t-chain area (pulling parts sense). the chain in behind the front cover..the wp is outside of the front cover.

if it's right there..then your WP is going...it'll get worst from here. fix it now or be worry about overheating.

i heard the pump is rough..since the lack of space. but it's do able by your avg shadetree.

 

Yup it is a PITA to get out. You should have no problem unbolting the WP, but the hard part will be getting the WP outta there. What I did is disconnect (of course all belts) you will not even come close to the timing chain so don't mess with it. Loosen all belts (AC, Alt, and I think it's PS pump) it's better to get to them from underneath the car. Loosen AC compressor and just slide it over, loosen PS reservoir, and loosen AC tube that runs across top of engine and move it over just a hair. Because that's where you will pulling the WP out of. Just remember to stay calm because it will test your patience, and before you put the WP back in make sure you have enough silicone on block and on WP but let it dry before you attemp to slide new Wp back in, cause if not you'll have silicone all over the place. Good luck. A new WP should cost about 70 bucks.

 

Just for reference, Bryan91se has a How-to on his webpage. You can get the link from the 3rd Gen FAQs sticky at the top of this group. Hope that helps.

 

Once again, thanks!!!

Will be doing this job next week looks like.......

Man Ford trucks are much easier, this FWD stuff is TIGHT!!! hehehe oh well, nothing new to me.......my hands are already cut to shi* from working on my truck, whats a few more scratches and burns?

 

Hah the VE water pump is a huge pain. It's hard to unbolt, impossible to get out, and even more impossible to get the new one in. I actually had to place a scissor jack in between the engine block and frame and push the engine over a tad bit to get it in. Talk about shadetree.

And why would you even want to mess with the timing chain?

 

Uh oh.... Sounds like MY car. Time to break out the wrenches.

 

Just practice putting the pump in a few times (from the bottom) before you put on the silicone. It takes a few twists & turns, but it goes pretty easy. Helps a lot to have someone up top to guide the top flange onto the water pipe studs. Pump costs about $100 new at the dealer. Iv'e heard it's a bit more difficult if you have antilock brakes - don't know for sure...

Good luck.

 

Thanks fella's. Have to do this job VERY soon, leaking like a sive now.

This weekend I dropped my front axle on my truck, removed the diff, axles, spindles, etc. Swapped out the pig for one with a 4.10 ring and pinion and fitted with an ARB locker. welded up an axle slip yoke, replaced the u joints, calipers, pads, and re-packed the wheel bearings. I am due for some spindles and I now need to hook up the ARB air compressor and switch. Locked and loaded FINALLY!

Anywho the Nissan waterpump will have to be tackled tonight or tomorrow night, its leaking big time.

Shopping for waterpump...
Any preferred brands? (never buy waterpump from Checker/Cragen)

 

I got mine form the dealer (discounted around $100). But I heard that some got theirs with a lifetime guarantee from autozone (I think) for less.