mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

Well, I've spent the past few days getting my friend's timing belt done on his 1995 Nissan Quest, same engine as in my 1989 Maxima (VG30E). I had done it before on my Max but it had been a while. Anyway, I finally put it all back together late last night and added coolant to start it up, but then it starts leaking from the water pump area. I think that means the gasket around the water pump did not work sufficiently.

I used the paper gasket that came with the new water pump and added gray RTV on both sides of it like the instructions said to do. When I cleaned the gasket surface I used a screwdriver to get off most of the old paper gasket and then a paper towel with goo gone to clean it pretty well. It may be that the surface was not sufficiently clean to secure a full seal or maybe I should have just used the RTV without the paper gasket. I waited probably an hour before I added coolant after I installed the water pump. Is that enough time to have let it dry?

I am in the midst of taking the drive belts back off and the pulleys, etc. in order to try and see if I can tighten it up more to stop the leak. I'm thinking that won't stop it and I'm hoping I don't have to take the timing belt back off in order to get to the water pump.

My friend needs his van by this afternoon. So, please, anyone who knows what I need to do here let me know ASAP. Thank you very much.

-Mrkanda

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Remove the pump. clean the surfaces again and check for any high or low spots. Maybe a little light sanding to make sure the surfaces are indeed smooth. Reapply the RTV and a new gasket. Torque correctly in a criss-cross pattern.

Hellrot318is

Is this a used water pump? The post above pretty much summed it up. However, bad water pumps leak.

Edit: I see it was new. oops