Q45A-1994: Replace Water Pump?

[Mint Q45A]

Hello,I need to replace the water pump - it has been leaking a little bit for awhile, but in the last couple of weeks it has gotten worse.Questions:- I assume I will not require any special tools. Correct?- Where could I find some general instructions on the steps to follow?- My main concern is how to purge the system (to eliminate all air trapped inside while doing the exchange). Any advise?- Am I supposed to use a gasket or a gasket maker (silicone type)?

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

[elwesso]

If you havent been properly welcomed to NICO, here it is! WElcome to NICO

Hello,I need to replace the water pump - it has been leaking a little bit for awhile, but in the last couple of weeks it has gotten worse.Questions:1. I assume I will not require any special tools. Correct?2. Where could I find some general instructions on the steps to follow?3. My main concern is how to purge the system (to eliminate all air trapped inside while doing the exchange). Any advise?4. Am I supposed to use a gasket or a gasket maker (silicone type)?

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

1. You're correct... Just basic tools2. Right here:- Remove cooling fan- loosen fan belt via the tensioner on the drivers side. sometimes people just take the idler off... - Remove water pump, DRAIN COOLANT BEFORE DOING THIS, unless you dont mind the floodgates opening.. I generally just let the coolant spew out and then hose down the driveway.... Im convinced its fairly impossible to drain Q45 coolant without a mess ensuing.- Remove all traces of liquid gasket- Put new liquid gasket on- Install water pump- Fill coolant

3. Generally what I do is fill it up and try and burp the hoses (squeeze them a few times)... then jusdt carry coolant with me and fill the overfill tank for the next couple days and top off as necessary.

4. See above.

[PachoC]

Elwesso,Tks for the welcome as well as for the advise. It sounds like a very straight forward job.One more question: Is Infinitiparts.com the place to buy the pump, or are there any better places? Do NICO members get better prices? .... I thought I just asked

[elwesso]

Yeah go with Infiniti of Scottsdale, in my signature.

[Jesda]

Fully airing out the cooling system on the Q is a pain. Why couldnt we have a simple Chrysler-style bleed screw? (Dont worry, its the only Chryslerism I ask for.)

I refill the coolant, jack up the front of the car, and open the cap on the filler neck. I let the car warm up and quickly rev it to 2000 a few times in brief spurts, topping it off in between. Search for posts by gniknave (Evan King spelled backward) for more info on this.

You probably don't have to do the above if you arent having problems with air in the system. I did it after disconnecting the heater core and removing the thermostat for a thorough flush.

[elwesso]

Fully airing out the cooling system on the Q is a pain. Why couldnt we have a simple Chrysler-style bleed screw? (Dont worry, its the only Chryslerism I ask for.)

After replacement of t-stat or water pump, I refill the coolant, jack up the front of the car, and open the cap on the filler neck. I let the car warm up and quickly rev it to 2000 a few times in brief spurts, topping it off in between. Search for posts by gniknave (Evan King spelled backward) for more info on this.

Whenever I did this coolant would come out... fortunately with the water pump it sits under the Tstat housing so as you fill it up it should in theory bring water up...

All you have to do is once you get the car up to operating temp over 175F open the filler neck and dump you premixed coolant down there.