HELP!out of town,waterpump failing

[RAQ45t]

HELP! While I've been on NICO about a year,I've only put 5000 miles on my '97 Q45t (147K),after having been 30 years with BMWS.Retired due to head injury from accident. I'm in the Tampa,Fla. area right now,just west of it,200 miles from home in the Delray/Boca area of S.Fla. Desperately need a decent mechanic,and place to get pump in this Tampa/St.Pete area.Since I arrived in Tampa,I have what sounds like a bad water pump bearing,getting louder,and the car will suddenly go from the normal 45% on the temp gauge to 3/4 of the way up,down a bit,then up higher again.Fans are working fine.If these cars are sensitive to heat,as the BMWs are,I'm not sure how high and for what time these engines are safe from harm. PLEASE call me on my cell,561-445-3189 7am to midnite EST if you have ANY info,or can help. Thanx... Bob Gilbert <[email protected]>

[Skibane]

Are you sure it's the water pump?

Water pump-related overheating is usually due to broken or worn off impeller blades - neither of which is particularly noisy. A bad bearing is usually accompanied by leaking seals (and a huge puddle of coolant under the car). Is this what you're experiencing?

If you're only putting 5K a year on your Q, I wouldn't be too concerned about putting a chain-store water pump in it in a pinch. It'll still probably last longer than you'll own the car.

[maxnix]

Get it on a lift and check pulley bearings and belt. Joe can ship over night, but if you go with autozone, I would replace with OEM very soon.

He will let your return unopened parts, so get everything shipped.

Joe 888 216 5328

[DrewQ45]

Are you sure it's the water pump?

Water pump-related overheating is usually due to broken or worn off impeller blades - neither of which is particularly noisy. A bad bearing is usually accompanied by leaking seals (and a huge puddle of coolant under the car). Is this what you're experiencing?

If you're only putting 5K a year on your Q, I wouldn't be too concerned about putting a chain-store water pump in it in a pinch. It'll still probably last longer than you'll own the car.

A failing water pump can get very noisy. Starts out with weird chirps and rattles then ends up being a continuous racket. The coolan't leak can be a drip or flow. All depends on how it fails. Failure is non-linear.

[RAQ45t]

Thanks for your suggestions.I have no leakage,but the pump is doing the chirps to noisier exactly as others I've had on BMWs in the past,and as you mention.I'll check the blades this morning. Might try just a local mechanic that doesn't exactly know Q45s if I have to,but reluctant to have someone work on a car like this that doesn't know it well. Bob G.

[goody90q45]

Might try just a local mechanic that doesn't exactly know Q45s if I have to,but reluctant to have someone work on a car like this that doesn't know it well.

When I bring my Q to the shop I always print up DIY instructions from an Infiniti Online Mechanic thread. Give it to the service writer or mechanic and ask them to read through it before starting the work. Works for me.

[RAQ45t]

Thanks for your help and suggestions; Found a decent shop 20 miles away In Brandon that does Nissan,etc. work,and they've ordered the pump(probably aftermarket;I'll see) for Monday installation.Seemed helpfully concerned I was stuck out of town.I'll worry about quality when I'm back home where I know people. Checked everything else you guys mentioned,and noisy/chirpy pump,but no leakage seems all I can find.Blades are all O.K. They want approx.$260 for the work. Thanks again.... Bob G.

[DrewQ45]

I find it hard to imagine that aftermarket water pumps exist for the Q. Unless it shares the same pump pump with other Nissan/Infiniti, I would think it's an OEM item. Replacing a water pump is not exactly a technical exercise. Shouldn't be much different from any other car in this respect.

[Skibane]

I find it hard to imagine that aftermarket water pumps exist for the Q. Unless it shares the same pump pump with other Nissan/Infiniti, I would think it's an OEM item.

NAPA Online

[Jesda]

In 2003 I had the WP replaced on my previous Q, which also made some chirping sounds. Part was about $90 if I recall, aftermarket. Worked great. I dont know the brand since the shop bought the part, probably from NAPA as well.

[DrewQ45]

Well, now I know where to get waterpumps!!!

[RAQ45t]

Well,the good news is the car should be fixed by the end of the day.The bad news is,the bad bearing was the waterpump( the original one ,with 148k on the car),but it seems to have overpressured the radiator,which split,and the belt is frayed as well.Pump,radiator,thermostat,and all belts will be changed.Pump was $83 new,radiator $260.Not too bad for retail,which I'm not used to.$700 total at a guess,but I do like luxury cars,and you DO have to pay the price.This shop won't use others parts,as many don't. He's even coming 25 miles to pick me up when done. Thanks for all your advice... Bob G.

[Jesda]

Just make sure he uses an OEM THERMOSTAT. I have a previous thread showing how aftermarket thermostats are garbage and even cost more.

[Skibane]

but it seems to have overpressured the radiator,which split

Pretty hard to imagine how a water pump could generate enough of a difference between inlet and outlet pressures to crack a radiator (unless the radiator was completely plugged?). My bet is that your old radiator was on its way out anyway (as if that's any consolation! )

Glad to hear that you'll soon be rolling again.