So... i think i have to reaplce my waterpump. I have heard its a PITA, then i heard its not all that bad. Are there issues with clearance etc.? because it seems fairly accessable. if someone has some good knowledge or maybe a write-up let me know

thanks

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=396706

 

a newcomer will say its a pain in the ***; an experienced mechanic will say its not that bad...its all relative

theres almost no room unless you rock the engine forward and you have to take off the timing belt and timing belt cover and of course the crankshaft which will take some considerable force...especially at a bad angle. everytime i touch one of my belts, i mess the tension up, so i didnt want to mess with it.

 

He has a ve dude=timing chain...

 

yup, its a VE

 

it's still a PITA, but it can be done in a couple hours if you're good at working on the car.

 

hmmm what all do i have to do? i have the wheel, main drive pully, and everyhing out of the way, do i need to rock the engine or pull it or anything? it looks somewhat accessable from what i saw.

*edit

I think im fairly decent at working ont it. so far i have done the following by myself:
Changed Clutch and throwout bearing (when the original tranny was still in "use")
Put a different 5sp tranny in later (1st was toast from PO).
Re-did rear brake lines and put new calipers etc. on.
Put new axles on it.
Put new Y-pipe on.

From those things the tranny was definately the most of a PITA, but was'nt all THAT bad. especially after the 2rd time i pulled the tranny. It was mostly just time consuming and figuring how to get it out (the first time)

 

You shouldn't have much trouble then. Just take your time and and you should be fine. I drained the radiator but not the block when I did mine and there was a fair amount of coolant that came out when I pulled the pump. Draining the block is a good idea, but not necessary. Just thought I'd throw that in there.

 

whats the best way to drain the block?

SO do i have to pull/rock the engine at all? or can i just pull the waterpump???

 

No you don't have to pull/rock the engine,just a little wiggling to get the pump out

 

and how do i drain the block before i pull it out?

 

I didn't drain my block when i changed my pump,i just put the catch pan under the pump area before i broke it loose...

But anyhoo,here it is...

 

I would not full with draining the block..put a pan under it and break the pump loose...those drain plugs can be a royal pain in the ****.

 

taking off the crankshaft pulley is a good excuse to buy an impact wrench if you don't already have one. i actually don't know how i ever lived with out it, i use it all the time now