Yup, it's awesome. Getting a bit of water on the ground under the front corner of the motor. I have not yet been able to pin point where it's coming from but I'm guessing it's the dreaded water pump. I've read the how too on changing it, sounds fairly straight forward(I've done a honda cr-v pump) just quite cramped. I hope to be more certain before moving forward with changing it, but I'm wondering what other services/parts I should be seriously considering changing when I do this? I'm not looking to spend alot of money on it but I dont want to tear it back down again either. Should I seriously consider replacing the timing chain tensioner and guide? It does make some noise(200k miles) but it's not terrible either.

I've stated this before, but I've got a tranny leak too(auto) are these known for any leaks in particular? Oil is fairly evenly distributed over the pan, I'm hoping maybe it's just a bad pan gasket, any chance of that really? Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll just be adding tranny fluid once in a while.....

 

During my water pump repair i replaced both belts, thermostat, radiator cap, and guides. There is really not much to it. Takes an afternoon and a few busted knuckles. Also good idea to flush the system after.

 

If you are going to change your water pump, make sure you change your oil right after cause coolant will end up in the oil pan. Just a quick tip!

 

The how-to mentioned removing the oil filter so I planned on just changing the oil at the same time, only made sense. But thanks for pointing that out, would have been great to be thinking I'd blown a head gasket after changing my water pump!

bsuttle95: I'm guessing by your name you have a 95' Max, it uses a timing belts, not a chain like my 97'. Not saying chains last forever but I'm far less concerned with it than I am with the chain setup.

 

??

Please explain.

 

I can explain, I'm wrong. I've had it in my head for years now that the 97' was the first year for a timing chain in the maxima, it was indeed 95'. I'd love to explain why I thought that but who knows....94' should have been the last year from the research I just did.

I'm guessing bsuttle was referring to the acc. belts. Sorry.

 

even monkeys fall out of trees

 

why do you have to remove the oil filter?

i remember doing mine a while ago, and the pain in the butt was making that tensior compress and putting a pin in it.

 

filter and oil need to be changed because when the pump comes out coolant get in the timeing cover, then into the oil.

 

does anyone have instructions on how to change out a water pump on a 97 maxima?

 

Check the Haynes or FSM. SEARCH the org.

Before u start looking at the pump. Make sure all of your hoses and clamps are good. I thought my pump went, but turned out to be the hose clamp from the tstat was worn.