Water Pump: Service and Repair
WARNING: Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Serious burns could occur from high pressure fluid escaping from the radiator.
WATER PUMP:
REMOVAL
1. Drain coolant so that no coolant comes out from water pump fitting hole.
CAUTION: Perform when the engine is cold.
2. Remove below the parts.
- Under cover
- Air duct and engine room cover.
- Alternator, water pump and A/C compressor belt.
CAUTION Leave the fixed tensioner pulley in its fixed position when removing the drive belt.
3. Remove the harness connector for the cooling fan speed control solenoid valve (joined with the water pump).
4. Remove the drive belt pulley.
5. Disconnect the cooling fan fluid hose.
- Because there is no drain plug, drain the fluid from the hose separation point.
- Prepare a receptacle with a volume of approximately 1L (2-1/8 US pt, 1-3/4 Imp pt).
6. Remove the water pump.
Coolant will leak from the cylinder block, so have a receptacle ready.
CAUTION: Handle the water pump vane so that it does not contact any other parts.
Do not disassemble the water pump (including the cooling fan pump and cooling fan speed control solenoid).
INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL
Visually check that there is no significant dirt or rusting on the water pump body and vane.
Check that there is no looseness in the vane shaft, and that it turns smoothly when rotated by hand.
Visually check that there is no fluid leakage from the cooling fan pump part and the cooling fan speed control solenoid part.
If there are any unusualness, replace the water pump assembly.
WATER PUMP:
INSTALLATION
Install in the reverse order of removal.
Apply Genuine Nissan Power Steering Fluid II (the cooling fan fluid) or equivalent to the 0-ring of the cooling fan fluid hose (on the feed side). Then insert the 0-ring to the water pump so that it does not come out of the attachment groove.
For bleeding the air from the cooling system, refer to "REFILLING ENGINE COOLANT". Refilling Engine Coolant
Adding cooling fan fluid and bleeding air
The procedure below is for adding cooling fan fluid and bleeding air from the piping.
CAUTION: Do not reuse the used fluid which was drained out. Use genuine Nissan Power Steering Fluid II or equivalent.
NOTE: The total fluid volume is 777 ml (26.3 US fl oz, 27.4 Imp fl oz) (with the cold maximum on the level gauge when the engine is cold).
1. Add fluid to the reservoir tank until the fluid reaches the upper limit of the "hot" level on the level gauge. For the fluid level, refer to "COOLING FAN / INSPECTION AFTER INSTALLATION".
Testing and Inspection
2. Start the engine.
3. Run the engine at idle speed for a few minutes. Then check the fluid level. If the level has decreased, add fluid.
CAUTION: Be careful not to touch the fan while it is rotating.
Be sure to add fluid as necessary. If the fluid runs out in the reservoir tank, air will be taken in.
NOTE: With the engine operating, the reservoir tank cap can be removed to check the fluid level.
Immediately after starting, certain noise will come from the fluid pump. This is caused by air taken in to the piping and will gradually disappear.
4. Continue with step 3 until the level of the fluid stops decreasing.
5. Stop the engine and remove the harness connector for the cooling fan control solenoid.
NOTE: When the solenoid harness is disconnected, the fan will operate at full speed.
6. Start the engine. Repeat step 3 until the fluid level stops decreasing and air bubbles stop coming out.
7. Stop the engine. Connect the harness connector for the cooling fan control solenoid.
INSPECTION AFTER INSTALLATION
After installing water pump, check for leaks using radiator cap tester.