I'm trying to install a new water pump in my 96 Maxima. I have it all apart (following the directions in the Haynes manual) and i can't get enough slack on the timing chain to get the pump out.

Help! Can anybody with some experience please provides some tips on how to this.

Thanks

Jerry

 

[QUOTE=03Cobra]I'm trying to install a new water pump in my 96 Maxima. I have it all apart (following the directions in the Haynes manual) and i can't get enough slack on the timing chain to get the pump out.

Help! Can anybody with some experience please provides some tips on how to this.

you have to take off the timing chain cover. retard the chain about twenty degrees and lock the timing tensioner with a pin.. this will loosen the chain.. be very careful when doing this.. i've heard you can knock the tensioner into the engine. so if you have any doubt don't do it..

 

There are two access covers on the main cover. One for the water pump and one for the main chain tensioner. These are removed and I have pushed the tensioner in and retarded the chain back about 20 degrees. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I have done harder jobs than this.

Have you changed your water pump?

Thanks
Jerry

 

I dont think the water pump will slide out of the access hole, you may have to take the whole timing chain cover off (front). If you have the new water pump, compare it against the access cover see if it will fit?

 

You will have to take it off, i am having mine replace tomorrow.

 

yes i just recently did mine.. i have a 97 , if i'm correct yours should be the same as mine.. but you don't have to take off the timing case...
on the water pump there are two adjusting screws that pull out the waterpump. you have to turn them both out alternating between the two of them.. this will pull out the waterpump.. this is after you loosen the tension as stated..

 

You DO NOT have to take the timing chain cover off. That turns a 1-2hr. job into a all day job. To get the slack, just rotate the crankshaft via the pulley 15*-20*. If you have any questions or need some help just PM me. I have pictures, and lots of experience with this.

 

Just finished the job! Thanks for all the responses. The key was to remove the main chain tensioner. That was a small detail that my Haynes manual left out(I read it in a Chiltons manual). After that, there is plenty of slack in the chain and the water pump fits right out of the access hole.
Amazing how a small detail can turn a two hour job into a very frustrating experience. Anyway, the Maxima runs like a beast again!

Jerry

 

That's a good feeling when the water pump job is done. So, did you freak out when you heard all the air escaping the tensioner chamber upon the first start-up of the motor like everyone else? That noise is awful!

 

I read in the manual that it might make that noise. But it is a god awful noise. It sounds just like the timing chain is hit the cover. But the noise does go away.

 

did you have to remove crank pulley? how hard is it to pull the water pump out of the engine?

 

no, he didn't revove the crank pulley. It's not the easiest job to do, but not at all the most difficult either. A FSM and the right tools help out.