RealDealNamowicz Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 (edited) Well, Friday afternoon after bringing my lovely 1993 Pathfinder to the car wash, and vacuuming her out in preparation for a date on Saturday, I looked below the car. Hmmm, the engine got wet in the wash, but the water wasn't green....? Oh F me. The waterpump had blown. So, buying a few gallons of water, and putting the heat on full blast, I made my way home. From looking around on the internet, apparently the waterpump is notorious on the VG30 motor, so I figured while I have everything off the front, might as well change the timing belt as well and the thermostat and belts. Today is the day that the work began. Protip: Before you start, get a bunch of plastic baggies and a sharpie, and put any bolts/screws into the baggies and label them. it makes it a lot easier to put everything back in. Also, you need a radio and plenty of water to drink, or beer if you are a lush. First, remove the gay intake resonator over the radiator and throw it out. Next, remove the fan bolts and fan, then the radiator shroud. Now, you have plenty of room to work your magic. Cut the belts off of the pullies, you're going to replace them anyway. Drain the anitfreeze by opening the petcock on the bottom of the rad: http://img26.exs.cx/img26/6659/waterpump003large6le.jpg Here you can see the puddle of antifreeze where the waterpump is leaking: http://img26.exs.cx/img26/7561/waterpump007large4et.jpg The motor before, everything still intact: http://img26.exs.cx/img26/6509/waterpump008large9ci.jpg Let this be a lesson, don't buy cheap carppy tools: http://img26.exs.cx/img26/9774/waterpump010large9hi.jpg Remove all of the bolts around the upper timing belt cover(varying sizes): http://img26.exs.cx/img26/6828/waterpump011large5gq.jpg Next remove the hose clamps around the colant hose and metal downpipe going to the motor and remove that piece, catching any antifreeze that may spill out in a bucket. Now you can get at the thermostat. Dad wrenching away at a rusted thermostat housing bolt: http://img112.exs.cx/img112/7717/waterpump014large9ji.jpg Thermostat housing above the waterpump has three bolts to remove, all were rusted: http://img112.exs.cx/img112/9157/waterpump015large9zo.jpg Hey Pops, don't screw up my camera: http://img55.exs.cx/img55/1439/waterpump019large4as.jpg Now on to the crank pulley. Here is where I need your help. Remove the 6 bolts on it, and the pulley will come off. But the lower timing belt cover is still on, due to a bolt being blocked by the balancer (is that what it is? Ciricled it in red) How do I got about getting this off? Can I just throw a socket on the crank bolt or do I need a puller to do this? This is where I stopped today, and will pick up tomorrow, if anyone could help me out I would appreciate it, so I can go rent the puller from Autozone in the morning. http://img61.exs.cx/img61/5902/waterpump02123oz.jpg All the crap taken off of the motor today: http://img171.exs.cx/img171/4088/waterpump020large4jb.jpg Well, that is it for today, I will continue the job tomorrow morning if it's not raining , and will take more pics and update the how-to when I am done tomorrow! Edited April 1, 2005 by RealDealNamowicz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 Hey RDN, thanks for the write up as I suspect I'll have to do mine soon... Only problem is that your links give me a pict in thumbnail size.... Makes them hard to study, eh ? B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealDealNamowicz Posted March 28, 2005 Author Share Posted March 28, 2005 Precise 1, I thhumbnailed them to make them smaller, when you click on them and the thumbnail appears, in the address bar up top, delete the ".th" part in it and it will give you a full size image Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Nguyen Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Once you remove the pulley off, spray some WD-40 or similar product on the lip. Tap around on the Harmonic balancer to work the lubricant in. put the pulley back on with 2 bolts and wiggle it around to help with lube penetration. In a bit you should be able to pull the balancer off. That's what I did. Other method is to get a gear puller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 :oops: been there, done that job..hated it! Good luck..hope your date went well??????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudfinder Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 i just changed my waterpump last weekend, and boy it was hell. your ripping the engine apart. the hardeest part i think was putting the timing belt back on. before i changed my water pump, i had this weining noise everytime i would accelerate and of course it leaked like krazy. after changing it, it doesn't leak, water temp is normal but i still have that noise. but anyway, yeah, too many bolts and things to take apart to get to the waterpump. :furious: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 You can either use a v-belt pulley wrench in conjunction with a breaker bar and a large socket or stick a socket wrench on the crank bolt with a breaker bar braced against the frame(the engine runs clockwise, BTW), and nudge the starter with your key, that usually breaks the bolt loose for you. A two-jaw gear puller works allright for removing the balancer, but if it's a real tight fit and it doesn't want to come off, don't pull too hard on the two-jaw puller because it can pull the balancer apart, which would be a Bad Thing To Do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur92XE Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 THANKS FOR THE TIP NDM I'M SURE IT'LL COME IN HANDY FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE MECHANICALLY INCLINED. HOW'S THAT PATHY RUNNING AFTER THE REPAIR? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pathfinderdriver Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 I used a 3 jaw puller on mine. The whole job of replacing the timing belt, water pump and thermostat only took about 6 hours including a lunch break. If anybody ever needs help with one in the Seattle area let me know. The only thing that took some time was cleaning the gasket off the water pump mounting surface. Not hard just tedious. Glad you took the pictures though. I could have used a few of them before I started! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealDealNamowicz Posted March 29, 2005 Author Share Posted March 29, 2005 Hey guys I haven't finished it yet, I started late in the day on Sunday and it rained all day today but I should get another crack at it tomorrow. Another thing to remind you, Autozone carries for some reason a square tooth belt and a round tooth belt, you need the round one. Picked up the balancer puller, thermostat and gasket tonight to finish the job. Also, does anyone know the crank balancer bolt size? 21mm? I need to know because if I don't have the socket, I'll need to pick it up tomorrow morning when I go get the belt. Oh, and what should I torque it to when I put it back on? With any luck I should have this finished by tomorrow afternoon, will take more pics and keep updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Nguyen Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 It's a 24mm socket crank bolt -- 90-98 ft/lb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Only the 94-up VG30E engines use the round tooth belt, I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealDealNamowicz Posted March 29, 2005 Author Share Posted March 29, 2005 (edited) By looking at the belt on the car, then comparing it to the square tooth one in store, it is definetly a round tooth belt on my 93 Check out picture number 5 Edited March 29, 2005 by RealDealNamowicz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pathfinderdriver Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 (edited) Actually they started using the round tooth belt in mid to late 93. Somebody had posted exact dates on one of the boards. Edited March 29, 2005 by pathfinderdriver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Oh, OK. My bad. 93-up use the round tooth belt. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Nguyen Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Going by production date that is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealDealNamowicz Posted March 29, 2005 Author Share Posted March 29, 2005 Oh and one more thing, what is the stock thermostat heat range? 180*? The only one they had was a 170* so I picked it up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealDealNamowicz Posted March 29, 2005 Author Share Posted March 29, 2005 Also, Cuong Nguyen, I just tried the 24mm socket, and it's still too small. 26 or 28mm maybe?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spooled Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 Just did my timing belt yesterday. The crank bolt is 27mm. The timing belt/cam seals/water pump/etc. job was pretty easy on the Pathfinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealDealNamowicz Posted April 1, 2005 Author Share Posted April 1, 2005 (edited) UPDATE: VICTORY! HUZZAH! PS-- Don't forget, you have to remove the ".th" in the link address to get full size pics! I can provide bigger if anyone needs them to study. Well after losing two days to gay rain (thanks God) and being plaugued by the morons at Autozone not knowing what the F, the task is complete Stupid pulley puller that sucked s**t and worked as well as it looks (hint: it didn't): http://img204.exs.cx/img204/1645/waterpump...large4hq.jpg Balancer puller that DID work. Hell yeah: http://img204.exs.cx/img204/8079/waterpump...large2ro.jpg OFF!: http://img204.exs.cx/img204/7664/waterpump...large9wc.jpg Naked front of motor: http://img204.exs.cx/img204/1117/waterpump...large1bd.jpg Old waterpump VS New, it appeared that the impeller shaft seal blew out: http://img202.exs.cx/img202/3592/waterpump...large2aq.jpg Mmmmm, liquid candy (hint: remember how the tensioner goes on, I am a moron and took half an hour to figure out how to put it back on): http://img202.exs.cx/img202/9453/waterpump...large9pg.jpg That looks soo sexy: http://img202.exs.cx/img202/3892/waterpump...large9oe.jpg Pile of all the random crap off the engine along with some new hoses and random stuff + my dead grass: http://img202.exs.cx/img202/7348/waterpump...large7zo.jpg Water pump and sweet new timing belt back on + Dad's fat hand, time to reverse the removal procedures: http://img202.exs.cx/img202/91/waterpump2013large7zd.jpg All buttoned up, running and drinking new coolant : http://img202.exs.cx/img202/3267/waterpump...large5nb.jpg Bonus pics of my friend Kyle's sweet Camaro "The Red Dragon", he stopped by to help out. 350horse 350, it screws: http://img202.exs.cx/img202/8923/waterpump...large9tf.jpg http://img202.exs.cx/img202/3299/waterpump...large8wr.jpg In conclusion, this was a mild PITA, but I am positive that if I ever had to do it again, I could do it very quickly, and it wouldn't be that bad. If anyone needs to do this, you only need minimal mechanical inclination, just make sure you have a garage, the right tools, and a manual The PATHY LIVES!!! -bounce- Edited April 1, 2005 by RealDealNamowicz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statikuz Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 You can't see any of those real well, it just pulls up thumbnails...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealDealNamowicz Posted April 1, 2005 Author Share Posted April 1, 2005 You can't see any of those real well, it just pulls up thumbnails...? you have to remove the ".th" in the link address to get full size pics. where it says ".th.jpeg" just delete the ".th" I can provide bigger if anyone needs them to study. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statikuz Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 Ah I get it... just link to the full-size ones then? I can see if you added the pics to your post then to use thumbnails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealDealNamowicz Posted April 1, 2005 Author Share Posted April 1, 2005 (edited) I linked them to the fullsize to make it easier for you guys, and on the first page too! Edited April 1, 2005 by RealDealNamowicz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statikuz Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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