How hard is it to change the water pump on a 2000 Nissan quest?

Answer 1

With a good manual and some basic mechanical skills it's not that bad. It's a little time consuming and if you are doing the pump you would be silly not to change the timing belt at the same time.

There are some pretty good videos you can use on YouTube.

A lesson that I learned the hard way was I didn't keep actually count the teeth on the belt between the marks on the shafts.The manual and the directions that came with the belt didn't come with the numbers. I was one tooth off and the only way to test it is to put it all back together and try to start it. Mine wouldn't start. I found the numbers and started over. 3 hours wasted.

What I learned after was there is a good trick so you don't have to worry about that.

Expose the timing belt and split it in half with a razor knife so that you can slide the front half the belt off and leave the back half on to hold the shafts in place. Slide the new belt in place butting it against the half of the old belt. When the new belt is in position to hold the shafts in place, cut the rest of the old belt off and slide new belt all the way on. This way everything stays lined up.

You still need to follow all the directions about keeping cam at top dead center and lining up marks on the belt with marks on sprockets.

My engine and pump were so noisy I was going to junk the van but after the pump and belt were replaced, it sounds like it's brand new.

There's a lot more here than just about the pump but you shouldn't do one without the other and the pump is just an easy step when changing the belt.

If you have the confidence, basic skills and the right tools (nothing you wouldn't have in a good set) you will be fine.