Just took my 96 max in for coolant leak. Found out it was the waterpump housing that bolts to the block. Said the gasket is bad. They wanted $1000 to do this. Motor has close to 300K for mileage. Price seems outragous to me. I live in St.Paul,MN. Anyone know a cheaper place or wants to tackle this job? Or should I just get a new motor?

 

 

The seals cost $10 at Autozone.

http://www.vqpower.com/v2/articles.php?article_id=68

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibfs1Zu9h4o

 

Your mechanic is an A$$. There is no housing, just the block and the timing case half. The pump itself has two o-rings. What are the symptoms?

 

I agree, I would get a second quote!

 

Symtoms are : last summer I noticed a small puddle when the car was parked after driving. Could not diagnose because it didn't leak when the engine was on. It got worse over winter and within the last few weeks, with the car running, you can see coolant dripping from around the thermostat area when observing from the bottom. Thermostat has been replaced with OEM part and gasket.

 

I'm pretty sure the mechanic meant timing case half when he said waterpump housing. He did meantion that he would have to take apart the timing chain to get to the gasket. He said the waterpump is fine but could use a change since it's the original. Does that make more sense?

 

There is no gasket. They use grey rtv there and it never leaks. What he is seeing is the weep hole leaking. Your pump is bad. Sounds like he is honest, but unfamiliar with Maximas.

 

A water pump job shouldn't cost more then $400 with a coolant flush and oil change.
Being a MN car the body probably isn't the best so it's probably not worth it to install a new engine. If the body is good and you plan on keeping the car for awhile then an engine swap wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

I bought the pump from nissan with an extra set of o-rings should i tear one, 100 bucks. You don't have to remove the timing chain cover, there are two access plates, one for the tensioner and one for the pump. gotta give slack in the chain so tackle the tensioner first (careful since the timing chain tensioner is an *** and will spring out). You will also need to remove the passenger side motor mount (more space) and some other stuff. There is a how to on this website and 3 videos by Phmor on youtube should you want to tackle it yourself, or inform your mechanic

 

Btw, you beat me to it... On to another thread!

 

Thanks guys! Will probably have another mechanic change out the waterpump if I don't do it myself. As for an engine swap, I was leaning that way just because I had body work and a full paint job last summer. Also bought rims for it. And the motor is at 300K. I was looking at a 2003 motor but couldn't really find what was interchangeable in the forums and if it's just a direct swap without a lot of mods. Anyone point me to someone who has done a 5th Gen swap into a 4th Gen? Thanks

 

Search DEK swap.