Nissan Repair: 97 Nissan Sentra, water pump impeller, radiator fluid

Question
When I start my car the water in the radiator doesn't circulate and water is dripping on my feet when I am driving. Could this mean that I need to change the water pump? Is it a hard part to change?

Answer
Janet,

If you have water dripping on your feet that would mean that the heater core is leaking or the lines inside the dash have blown.

If the radiator fluid is not circulating then the thermostat is stuck or the water pump impeller is stuck.  I would go from cheap to most expensive.  The leak under the dash has to be corrected or as a minimal the hoses that connect to the firewall have to be looped to keep the radiator fluid from leaking in to the passenger compartment.  Replace the thermostat first to see if that solves the fluid not circulating.  If the thermostat fails to resolve that problem replace the water pump.  Now, you have checked to see that the lower radiator hose is not sucked closed?  The hose sucking shut has caused the problem you describe on some vehicles I have seen.  Email me back if you need more.