I drive a 97 Maxima and it currently has 94k miles. I got my brakes done 2 months back and the mechanic said I should get my timing belt replaced soon and while they did that, replace the water pump. He stated it was important to do before the car gets 100k miles. Was this good advice and how much (est) should this cost? Thank you for any input you may provide.

 

Maximas dont have a timing belt, they have a chain (for the last decade at least), it shoud never need to be replaced. If your mechanic didnt know enough about your car to know that, then i'd be wary of trusting most of his advice.

My water pump has 220000 miles on it and has never been replaced.

 

Well said dmplus!

 

Hey cp, if I were u I'd keep an eye on this mechanic, cus he either honestly didn't know that the Max has a timing chain (which is bad enough), or he was trying to trick you into making a sale.

I'm NOT saying for u to not trust him (before the flaming starts, lol), just that one should always VERIFY with some1 else about what a mechanic tells you. Remember it's your money and it's your car, it's only benefitial to keep an eye out.

 

Well these guys don't really do much work on foreign cars. he did the brakes and I asked what I should keep an eye out for, becasue to me 90k miles is getting up there. I just know squat about cars and figured this was a great place for a second opinion.

IMO these guys are looking to shake me down, cuz the do pretty cheap work and he made it sound like it was a job they could not do anyways. No way I am bringing it to a dealership though. Plus I am getting a squeaking fan sound--- Loose fan belt?

 

The fans dont work on belts. Remember our engine is mounted transversely. They have their own electrical motors...

 

I would find a new mechanic if I was you. He seems like the kind that will say first, take apart first, and then think later. We don't have timing belts, we have timing chains (they are designed for the life of the car). So don't do that, don't even touch it, just do regular maitance on the car and find a new mechanic.

And yeah our fans are electric, so you prolly just need to replace your accesory belts. And again have someone else do it.

 

You have only two belts.

Power steering belt ($13)
Alternator/air cond. belt ($20)

 

Find a local import/Nissan independent garage, that has knowledgeable mechanics but doesn't charge $tealership prices. You can probably wait on the water pump until it starts to leak or stops working.

 

Thanks everybody. Sounds like I don't have to save my pennies for unnecessary work.