Water Pump Failure or just a gasket

[skitzo2000]

Hey Guys, My 2011 Rogue just hit 40k and I'm a little disappointed to say that its leaking coolant. I've been pretty diligent with servicing the car and I believe 40k is the recommended time for a flush, but I didn't expect the water pump to give out this early. I don't have manual on this one, because I never expected to be doing this kind of work on a car this new. So I have a few questions I hope you can help with.

1.) It appears that it has an external pump rather than a crankshaft mounted one, am I right on that?

2.) I've read the hoses are a common source of headache on Nissans, but my leak appears to be from the seal/gasket on the water pump not from a hose. The leak shows on the under side bolt hole. Is this a common seal that goes out?

3.) Given that I have might have to replace the seal, is the water pump itself a likely culprit, and should also be replaced?

I realize a lot of this is conjecture. I'm just trying to gauge other peoples experiences on this. This is the first Nissan I've owned and I'm really disappointed that I've already developed an issue like this when I'm a whole 4,000 miles out of warranty.

[TrevorK]

1.) It appears that it has an external pump rather than a crankshaft mounted one, am I right on that?

From the manual it appears external and on the drivers side. Here are the instructions for removal:
Removal and Installation
REMOVAL
1. Drain engine coolant. Refer to CO-10, "Draining".
CAUTION:
Perform this step when engine is cold.
2. Remove the following parts.
• Drive belt: Refer to EM-16, "Removal and Installation".
• Drive belt auto-tensioner: Refer to EM-26, "Exploded View".
• Alternator: Refer to CHG-21, "Exploded View".
3. Remove water pump.
• Engine coolant leakage from cylinder block, so have a receptacle ready below.
CAUTION:
• Handle water pump vane so that it does not contact any other parts.
• Water pump cannot be disassembled and should be replaced as a unit.
4. Remove water pump housing with the following procedure:
a. Remove exhaust manifold cover. Refer to EM-33, "Exploded View".
b. Remove oil level gauge and oil level gauge guide. Refer to EM-35, "Exploded View".
CAUTION:
Plug the oil level gauge guide opening to prevent oil pan from entering foreign materials.
c. Remove mounting bolts for water pipe.
d. Remove water pump housing.
5. Remove exhaust manifold and three way catalyst assembly. Refer to EM-33, "Exploded View".
6. Remove water pipe.

2.) I've read the hoses are a common source of headache on Nissans, but my leak appears to be from the seal/gasket on the water pump not from a hose. The leak shows on the under side bolt hole. Is this a common seal that goes out?

There are three gaskets and one oring:


I cannot comment on this being common or not. I would personally look into the Altima/Sentra forums as well for feedback. They may have more long-term results (since the Rogue only came out in 2008, not sure when the 2.5L was redesigned last).

3.) Given that I have might have to replace the seal, is the water pump itself a likely culprit, and should also be replaced?

I would personally, if the price of an OEM pump is reasonable, replace the water pump because you have it taken off. It is a part that will eventually fail, and you have now realistically increased the time before it fails by swapping it out. Many would leave it in, and if the cost of the part is high I would too, but swapping it out now just gives you more usable life.

So...it depends on whether being proactive fits with your plans for the vehicle (maybe you're selling in a year) or not.

This is the first Nissan I've owned and I'm really disappointed that I've already developed an issue like this when I'm a whole 4,000 miles out of warranty.

This is not covered by the 5 year powertrain warranty? (Or is that Canada only) For instance, GM considers the water pump as "covered" under their powertrain warranty:
http://www.gmc.com/owners/warranty.html

[skitzo2000]

Thanks for the reply TrevorK.

My understanding on the warranty is that its 36,000 miles or five years whichever comes first, but I'll have to check into that.

For clarification purposes the engine is a transverse mount so the pump is actually on the passenger side rather than drivers.

I hadn't thought to look into the sentra or altima forums, but thats a good call, I'll have to do some searching there as well.

I love how simple instructions look when you read, just take this part off... just take that part off, but we know the reality when it comes to time investment.

Thanks Again.

[ImStricken06]

Thanks for the reply TrevorK.

My understanding on the warranty is that its 36,000 miles or five years whichever comes first, but I'll have to check into that.

For clarification purposes the engine is a transverse mount so the pump is actually on the passenger side rather than drivers.

I hadn't thought to look into the sentra or altima forums, but thats a good call, I'll have to do some searching there as well.

I love how simple instructions look when you read, just take this part off... just take that part off, but we know the reality when it comes to time investment.

Thanks Again.

its not transverse mounted. its the "normal" way for fwd. so the pump is gonna be towards the front of the car

[skitzo2000]

Its definitely considered a transverse engine. aka mounted sideways.

If you look at the diagram, the previous poster assumed the water pump was on the drivers side because the engine was mounted longitudinal which IMHO is the normal way I guess I'm old school that way.

A transverse engine is an engine mounted in a vehicle so that the engine's crankshaft axis is perpendicular to the long axis of the vehicle. Many modern front wheel drive vehicles use this engine mounting configuration. (The vast majority of rear wheel drive vehicles use a longitudinal engine configuration, where the engine's crankshaft axis is parallel to the long axis of the vehicle.) Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transverse_engine

[ImStricken06]

why did i always think transverse was the way honda's did it for a while, with the pulley's on the driver side. my bad lol

[skitzo2000]

No worries ImStriken, I was confused by your response at first, but your statement makes a little more sense now.

Either way back to the issue at hand. Anyone know if this is a regular issue. I'm in total agreement that while we're in there I should have the pump replaced. I'm just really kinda pissed that the car is in this state to begin with given so few miles...

I've been really happy with my Rogue, but this is just leaving a bad taste in my mouth. It really is a difficult part to get to, and If this is normal I probably won't keep this car for that much longer.

[TaiLuu]

This should be covered in the powertrain warranty. Five years 60k I think.
My mothers Murano had a leak issue from the gaskets. I wasn't surprised to read this. Although she has a vq35, the gaskets were probably made the same way as the qr25.

[TrevorK]

Thanks for the reply TrevorK.

My understanding on the warranty is that its 36,000 miles or five years whichever comes first, but I'll have to check into that.

I could very well be wrong. I am from Canada, where our warranty is 5 years or 100,000KM (about 60K miles). I just assumed in the US the warranty was 5 years/60K miles.

For clarification purposes the engine is a transverse mount so the pump is actually on the passenger side rather than drivers.

That makes sense. The only cars I service nowadays are the old V8's (Rogue still under warranty), so I only thought of that when looking at the picture.

I love how simple instructions look when you read, just take this part off... just take that part off, but we know the reality when it comes to time investment.

You mean when you say "Gee, I should really clean that windshield washer fluid bottle while it is off", then "I should really clean these hoses I just took off", then "Gee that engine bay is dirty, I should clean that", then "Gee, since I have half the vacuum lines disconnected and everything out of the why, why not polish more engine parts", then "Why is it that, after 5 years, I have only driven my Rogue 5000 miles?"

Myself, I always look up the book time and multiply it by 2 or 3. Any less time than that and I do not feel I was adequately sidetracked enough

[darylzero]

skitzo2000 here is the FSM for you, in case you had not found it.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Rogue/

[darylzero]

Hey Guys, My 2011 Rogue just hit 40k and I'm a little disappointed to say that its leaking coolant. I've been pretty diligent with servicing the car and I believe 40k is the recommended time for a flush, but I didn't expect the water pump to give out this early. I don't have manual on this one, because I never expected to be doing this kind of work on a car this new. So I have a few questions I hope you can help with.

1.) It appears that it has an external pump rather than a crankshaft mounted one, am I right on that?

2.) I've read the hoses are a common source of headache on Nissans, but my leak appears to be from the seal/gasket on the water pump not from a hose. The leak shows on the under side bolt hole. Is this a common seal that goes out?

3.) Given that I have might have to replace the seal, is the water pump itself a likely culprit, and should also be replaced?

I realize a lot of this is conjecture. I'm just trying to gauge other peoples experiences on this. This is the first Nissan I've owned and I'm really disappointed that I've already developed an issue like this when I'm a whole 4,000 miles out of warranty.

Hey skitzo2000, what ever happened with this? My water pump may have gone bad as my coolant is now a rust color.

[ras_oscar]

To the OP: I have 2 nissans purchased brand new, both with the 2.5L engine. A 2005 altima with 189K and a 2012 Rogue with 62K. Never changed the water pump on either.