So, I decided to go ahead and do the dreaded water pump replacement job on my EDIT: 263,000 mile 4th gen. What a PITA! I had to do it the looong way because #1 I had a leak on my timing chain cover and # 2 I wanted to make sure my timing was accurate and my car didn't jump timing, bend any valves etc. Well, since it was my first time ever doing this job, it took me 2 days and I did learn alot. Man, my oil pan and all my timing chain components were covered in oil sludge, it was ugly I had to do alot of cleaning, using gasoline! Well, here are some pics that I wanted to share with you all. Sorry for some of the crappy pics....

UPDATE: When cleaning and putting on the lower oil pan just get a NEW Felpro oil pan gasket and follow the tightening sequence! Don not put RTV silicone on there. I had a leak and had to get a Felpro gasket.
New Nissan Water Pump

Oil sludge all over timing components



Broke the old water pump while taking it out





Cleaned and looking good!



Old Thermostat and New Thermostat side by side

 

so is this the first time the WP has been replaced? If so, damn that's good life-span of that thing!

 

Looks like you need some power steering fluid too

 

you have ***** my friend...I don't think I would every ATTEMPT this job.

 

Wow good stuff man.

 

You obviously took that all apart too clean the sludge! Cause changing the W/P can be done by removing the 2 access panels on the timing cover.....1 for the tensioner.....1 for the W/P! I'm doing mine too, but no need too take all that apart unless you're gonna change the timing chain, sprockets, guides, and tensioner etc.....

 

Nice job! I need to do the Timing Tensioner soon on mine. I'm at 255k miles, I'm wondering if I should consider changing my pump while I'm at it. My car doesn't have any issues over heating though, so not sure if the pump needs to be replaced.

 

^this

i sent mine straight to the mechanic like *** that, ill pay the man

 

if you read, he said his timing chain cover was leaking as well, however it was, it was leaking. and he said it was his first time, its not like this sort of information of how-to replace the water pump is easily accessible on this site either, in fact i cant remember a thread in the 4-6th gen sub forums where there's a how-to thread on doing the water pump

 

+1 the only thread i think i seen was the one where it said you have to pull the engine to do it.

 

Water pump replacement is in the 4th gen how to sticky. http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...teup-pics.html

See, the 4th gen section isn't completely worthless

 

i've been told LOL!!!!!! i'd still take it to the mechanice cuz i'd be the one the timing would jump on #fukthat

 

Yes, sir it is. This water pump lasted me around 265,000 miles and could still go some more.

 

Yeah, thx for reminding me

 

Yeah, this was not an easy task at all. It was a PITA! It was almost as much work as doing my 5 speed swap, because everything is in a tight space!

 

My timing covers were leaking oil all over. There was sludge all over my oil filter and everywhere else. I thought the same thing too. You can take the water pump off through the access covers but, if you jump timing and don't have timing set right you can mash up your engine. It was the long way but, it was the right way for a complete job.

 

Its not that bad of a job once you done it successfully. Hope you changed the tensioner and guide if you haven't done so already.

 

Maybe there wasn't a How too thread B4 this! But there was already a reference too use well B4 the internet was available.....FSM....Doing the W/P replacement thru the access panel isn't going to cause you to jump timing....once you remove the tensioner, you move the crank pulley counter-clockwise approximately 20 degrees to remove the timing chain off the w/p sprocket....Installation is reverse.....

 

man that looks like a ton of work im dreading to my water pump replacement =(

 

I understand what your saying, I saw the directions to do it that way but, its better to be safe than sorry.

 

Curse you for using hi temp red RTV. The correct stuff is grey which blends in.

And yes you should have replaced all of your guides and tensioners, but don't worry I wont tell anyone if you didn't.

 

Ugh. I was thinking about changing the water pump when I have time, because they seem to go at the most inconvenient moment. Looks like I'll just cross my fingers.

 

LOL! Yeah, when I do my VQ35 swap I will be getting a full timing kit.

 

Is there a write-up or tutorial somewhere with pics/video on how to remove the timing chain cover?

 

looks like someone didn't keep up with the oil changes.

next step, pull the valve covers and clean up the sludge of the valve train.

good job on the large job. I've done this before and will not do it again without dropping the motor. I can drop the engine and reinstall it in a day, and is easier than doing this in such tight space.

 

To tell you the truth I'm not sure but, that timing cover has so many damn bolts that r hidden it's not even funny.

 

Dang in a day?? That's real good bro. Yes, it was a PITA to work on in a tight space with the motor in the car.

 

I can't remember if it the outer or inner tc cover that has a couple of bolts in the oil pan that peeps tend to forget about.

I give anyone props for doing this with the engine in the car. I struggled with it out of the car I couldn't imagine doing it still in the car. But then again I am a skinny asian lol

 

Yes, there r bolts that r attached to the timing cover located in the oil pan. I had to drop the oil pan. Thank you for the props!

 

Why are you taking all that off? That's not necessary to change the w/p.....

 

Read my brotha read!

 

damn, looks like i'm in for a fun weekend...

 

The first idiot I hired dropped the spring and cover for the tensioner in the cover. Hired a more competent guy and I'm helping.