A water pump is vital to the safe and proper running of a Nissan Altima and other cars by moving coolant through the engine. Over time, the pump can begin to malfunction causing the pump to not work or leak large amounts of coolant, which can cause the car to run hot or break down. When this happens, it is time to replace the water pump, but at first look it can be a daunting task. This is especially true if you have never changed a water pump before.
Drain the coolant fluid from the car by removing the cap on the bottom of the radiator. Disconnect the battery cables to insure there is no stray electricity running through the system or that a power surge will enter the system while you are working on it.
Lift the car using either a professional car lift or a jack in order to get to the actual water pump housing. Before you can get to the actual water pump, disconnect the upper and lower engine covers, coolant reservoir, radiator house, alternator, engine ground and drive belt. These components are either connected to the water pump or are in the way and will make it difficult to get the pump out.
Remove the water pump and the gaskets, making sure to scrape away any gasket remnants. Get the new pump and put sealant where it connects to the engine and then place gaskets on top of that. Place the pump where it belongs and insert bolts to hold into place. Replace the other components, lower the car, add coolant and connect the battery cables.
Start the car and make sure there is no leaking and that the heat levels stay normal. Drive it around for a little while just to make sure everything is working properly.
