1994 Waterpump

covert187 · Sep 3rd, 2006, 09:08 AM

All,

My brothers 94 pathfinder needs a new waterpump, the shop we took it to want's $500 to put it in. I'm fairly car savvy, so $500 sounds like a lot.

First is it a fair price to pay?

Second how hard is it to put a new water pump on myself, and has anyone done a write up on replacing it?

I'm used to working on SUV's, but I've not worked on a path finder before.

Thanks for any help!

NPath · Sep 3rd, 2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by covert187

All,

My brothers 94 pathfinder needs a new waterpump, the shop we took it to want's $500 to put it in. I'm fairly car savvy, so $500 sounds like a lot.

First is it a fair price to pay?

Second how hard is it to put a new water pump on myself, and has anyone done a write up on replacing it?

I'm used to working on SUV's, but I've not worked on a path finder before.

Thanks for any help!

I think it's pretty hard changing it out. The whole front engine, along with the radiator and transmission cooler has to come out. The crank pulley too, I believe, has to come out also. So it says in the Chilton's manual.

While going that far, timing belt should be replaced also. Make sure to do this change exactly it says in a proper service manual, or you'll have a screwed up engine costing more than $500!

It'll be more than a days work, that's for sure if you aren't sure what you are doing. I've been through that.

I'd pay the $500 for the shop to put it in. I do believe the water pump costs around $200CAD. Belt around $40CAD.

**88pathoffroad** · Sep 6th, 2006, 09:00 PM

$500? Yeah. If they do the timing belt, tensioner, thermostat and water pump all at the same time, it may be a little more, though. It all has to come off to get the water pump off...

BTW, you don't have to pull the radiator. I've done four t-belts and never had to.

NPath · Sep 6th, 2006, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88pathoffroad

BTW, you don't have to pull the radiator. I've done four t-belts and never had to.

Really!? Was it neccessary to take the crank pulley off? If yes, how did you do it?

My brother was thinking of using an air ratchet to take the nut off and had to pull the rad for the it to fit on the nut properly.

I didn't do the job, so just wondering.

**88pathoffroad** · Sep 7th, 2006, 06:54 PM

I use a v-belt pulley wrench from Harbor Freight ($8) to hold the crank pulley while I unbolt the crank bolt. Not a problem with it yet. You can even make one yourself out of square steel/aluminum tubing with a long v-belt run through the inside and looped out one end if you really feel like it.