Question regarding 93 j30 water pump

[xtacx]

Recently my car started smoking, looks like its a busted water pump, confirmed it with a local mechanic. He wants $600 installed, the infiniti dealership said $1000 because when changing the water pum you have to change the timing belt. So questions to the pros

1) How long does it take to install a water pump, what price is fair since online the water pump goes for about $100-120.00

2) Do you need to change the timing belt when changing the water pump

3) what should I do

Located in Long Island, NY any honest mechanics who have a knowledge of the J30 let me know!

[elwesso]

How many miles since thelast timing belt change... Id personally do it with the timing belt, and 1000 is NOT a bad price for the full timing belt service.....

[DominickJ30]

1) This would probably take you around 4-6 hours. There is alot to take apart.

2) Yes its recommended. How many miles on the car?

[DAEDALUS]

Water pump is $81.50 from Joe, one of our sponsors. OEM part with factory warranty, no sales tax, and ground shipping is cheap.

If the belt's original then replace it regardless of mileage. Considering labor cost vs. belt cost, it's hard to justify not replacing it no matter what if you're going in there. Took me a whole weekend to do my buddy's 300zx belt/pump, but I did a few extras too. He got a $700 quote from a very reputable shop, but that was a bare bones quote for the belt only. Consider replacing the tensioner, cam/crank oil seals, water hoses, and maybe sprocket too if it's frozen on the crank.

[metaverse3]

A couple of months ago I had Joe T @scottsdale build a J30 timing belt kit for 1993 model, and and the 1994-1997 model. The kit is what you will need to accomplish a complete 60k engine maintenance on the J30, and the 300zx I recently purchased on of these kits for my own 93 J30T and I suggest you do the same. Here is the link for the J30 kits: http://www.trademotion.com/par...34382

$1000 is a bit too much for me regardless of what dealership since this engine is very easy to work on...everything is in the front for easy access.The kit costs around $350 shipped and labor should be no more than $400 which is what my local shop charges according to my labor math using an alldata and a mitchell shop labor system.

Do not go with local shops that use non-oem parts. You can tell the difference from nissan OEM quality vs generic manufacturers. One thing that the kit does not have is the idler pulleys. Advise your mechanic/garage to check these out when you get the job done. Usually they are okay, but, if there are suspicions, replace them.

This is a beautiful car with an almost bullet proof engine. The waterpump is in the area of the timing belts and the recommendation that you should do it is correct. Buy the J30 kit and you don't have to revisit the issue for another 60k miles.. Good luck..

[jtesensky]

Water pump is $81.50 from Joe, one of our sponsors. OEM part with factory warranty, no sales tax, and ground shipping is cheap.

Plus we're running a free ground shipping special this month!