Hey guys I noticed a puddle of anti-freeze under my car while it was warming up the other day. Anyone out there can let me know how difficult it is to change out?

 

Very difficult! my father and I did it, it took 7hrs. We had to take one of the motor mounts and lift that side of the engine up to get it out. The reason it is so hard i because there is like 0 space to work and you can barely see what you are doing... You have to be very careful when removing and re-installing the timing chain tensioner because its spring loaded and you can risk dropping inside the engine. very difficukt task

 

I have same problem anti freeze leaking right behind the oil pan in between the alternator i believe anyone else do this job

 

Perhaps you should take the car into a radiator shop and have the radiator and cooling system pressure tested. It may be a hole in the rad, rather than a problem with the water pump. I have been on the .org for 10 months and don't recall anyone with a water pump problem. I may be wrong, but I would check out the rad first before you get your shorts in a knot.

 

Looks like quite an involved job:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=308680

At least this should give you a taste of what you have in store should you decide to DIY. For my money, that's a job for your friendly mechanic...

 

Good luck!

 

Same problem here. I thought it was my W pump also but some mechanic said my engine block was cracked. He said he filled in the crack temporarily. I've yet to get a second opinion though. This sucks.

 

looking at that link im thinking its not the water pump, my leak is to the front of the water pump like right under the alternator and the antifreeze is dripping between the oil pan and alternator assembly im going to check all the hoses and stuff thanx

 

That is where mine was leaking from. There is a weep hole in the block up behind the alt/AC compressor so if the seal on the pump goes it won't go into the oil. Mine was was leaking for about 3 months and I decided to replace it. When I pulled the old pump out the bearings in it where definetly fried. It was definetly a time bomb. It is a PIA job because there is not much room to work and you have to do most of it by feel because you can't see what your doing.

 

No problem. Hose checks are good but it might be real useful if you cleaned the engine compartment thoroughly (degreaser and all) and then do some intensive scouting for the leak to be sure it's *not* the water pump. As mentioned in the link, a telescoping mirror can be a huge help.

 

I think I will leave the job to my friendly ASE mechanic. My only problem is finding a good mechanic to do it. My mechanics boss won't allow him to do engine work in the shop anymore (tire and alignment shop). I have not changed my hoses recently so I think I'll tackle that and go from there. Thanks !

 

For those who have replaced the water pump, how many miles did you have on your car when this had to be done? I have 120K and wouldn't be surprised if I was creeping into the 'danger zone' for replacing this.

 

I replace mine at about 100k miles on a 1995. It is very doable but a royal pain... the worst job I've ever done on the car.

 

Started leaking at 165k changed at 172K

 

I've done this myself. Its not easy, but I did this successfully. It did take quite a bit of time and I had a very hard time pinning the timing chain tensioner, but eventually use a stick pin (like the kind that come with button down shirts) to hold it in place. It just like jtmo87 said. Not for the faint hearted! I also bit the bullet and replaced the belts, the coolant hoses, and the A/C compressor all at the same time (the receiver dryer gave me fits making sure it was properly seated...it didn't look like it was in right but it was). Anyone pay for the water pump replacement? I'm curious to see how much I saved in labor. Rich

 

Check the radiator. It could also be leaking and spraying onto the block. It is a lot easier to change.