Nissan Repair: water pump replacement procedures, crankshaft pulley, water pump replacement

Question
QUESTION: How to replace water pump on 99 Nissan Pathfinder V6 Auto 4WD. Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Texi -

Here are step by step instructions.

Remove the Old Water Pump
Step1 Place a drain pan underneath the radiator. When the engine is cool, drain the cooling system from the radiator into the pan.
Step2 Take of the undercover and the suspension member stay.
Step3 Un-install the radiator shrouds, the cooling fan and the drive belts.
Step4 Take the water drain plug out of the engine, which is on the side of the cylinder block where the water pump is located.
Step5 Pull off the chain tensioner cover as well as the water pump cover.
Step6 Push the timing chain tensioner sleeve up and put a stopper pin in it to keep it from slipping. Take out the chain tensioner assembly.
Step7 Loosen and remove the water pump mounting bolts and turn the crankshaft pulley in a backward motion until it rotates 20 degrees, which will secure the area between the timing chain and water pump.
Step8 Add 2 M8 bolts to the water pump fixing bolt holes. Tighten them by hand, alternating turning a half turn each at a time unit they reach the timing chain rear case. Doing it this way will prevent damage to the timing chain rear case.
Step9 Remove the water pump.

Install the New Water Pump
Step1 Put some engine oil along with some antifreeze on the o-rings and install the new pump with the new o-rings.
Step2 Clean all mounting surfaces on the water pump cover, chain tensioner and the front cover matting surface and then install these components.
Step3 Put a bead of liquid gasket onto the matting surface on the water pump cover and the chain tensioner.
Step4 Turn the crankshaft pulley back to its starting position (20 degrees forward).
Step5 Apply some engine oil to the timing chain tensioner and the oil hole and install the timing chain tensioner. Then remove the stopper pin.
Step6 Reattach and install all the remaining components in reverse order in which they were removed.
Step7 Start the car and check for leaks when the engine reaches normal operating temperature.


Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Calvin,
Thanks.So if I turn the crankshaft pulley in a backward motion until it rotates 20 degrees, which will secure the area between the timing chain and water pump, will that enable me to remove the cover directly behind crankshaft pulley, so that I can remove or slide out the timing belt. It seems the lip of the cover behind the crankshaft pulley, is restricting me from pulling out the water pump. Anymore tips I can do to better my dilemma? Thanks

Answer
Hi Texi -

I have checked with my fellow techs and all say that the pulley can remain and the H2O pump can be removed around it.

However, I have worked on cars that the pulley needs to be removed. If so, you will need a special puller for it.

I am sorry that I cannot give you more detailed information, however I will do more research for you, and also try to get you a diagram.

If you are so inclined, send me your email, and I will get back to you.

cjiwash@yahoo.com

aloha
calvin