🔧 Water Pump - Replacement

On your QX80, the water pump circulates coolant through the engine and radiator. Replacing it involves draining coolant, removing the drive belt and fan/shroud for access, swapping the pump and gasket, then refilling and bleeding the cooling system.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours

Assumption: stock 5.6L cooling system with mechanical fan and external belt-driven water pump.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cold engine only; hot coolant can cause severe burns.
• ⚠️ Support the QX80 with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep hands/tools clear of the fan and belt path during testing.
• ⚠️ Dispose of coolant properly; it’s toxic to people and pets.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is recommended when working around the fan/shroud area.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Drain pan (at least 3-gallon)
• Funnel
• Spill-free coolant funnel kit (specialty)
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pliers (hose clamp)
• Serpentine belt tool (specialty)
• Ratchet
• Socket set (8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm)
• Wrench set (10mm, 12mm, 14mm)
• Torque wrench (inch-pound)
• Torque wrench (foot-pound)
• 36mm fan clutch wrench (specialty)
• Gasket scraper
• Plastic razor blade scraper
• Shop rags
• Brake cleaner spray

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Water pump - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket/O-ring (as equipped) - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (Nissan/INFINITI Blue Long Life 50/50 premix) - Qty: 3-4 gallons
• Serpentine drive belt - Qty: 1
• Upper radiator hose clamp(s) (optional) - Qty: 1-2
• Lower radiator hose clamp(s) (optional) - Qty: 1-2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Let the engine cool completely (minimum 2-3 hours).
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal using a 10mm socket.
• Serpentine belt = the single long belt that drives accessories.
• Torque wrench = tool that tightens bolts to a precise spec.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise the front and remove the lower splash shield

• Lift the front with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the lower engine splash shield using a trim clip removal tool, flathead screwdriver, and 10mm socket.

Step 2: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan (at least 3-gallon) under the radiator drain.
• Slowly loosen the radiator cap to release any leftover pressure.
• Open the radiator drain cock (petcock) by hand or with a flathead screwdriver (if tight) and drain coolant fully.
• Keep pets away from drained coolant.

Step 3: Remove the fan shroud and mechanical fan

• Unclip/unscrew the upper fan shroud using a trim clip removal tool and 10mm socket.
• Loosen the fan clutch nut using a 36mm fan clutch wrench (specialty).
• Hold the pulley from turning using a wrench set (10mm, 12mm, 14mm) as needed on the pulley bolts while you crack the nut loose.
• Lift the fan and shroud out together carefully to avoid damaging the radiator fins.

Step 4: Remove the serpentine belt

• Note or photograph the belt routing.
• Rotate the belt tensioner using a serpentine belt tool (specialty) and slide the belt off.
• If the belt is cracked, replace it now.

Step 5: Remove the water pump pulley (if equipped separately)

• Remove the pulley bolts using a 10mm socket while holding the pulley from spinning by hand.
• Remove the pulley and set it aside.

Step 6: Disconnect hoses from the water pump

• Use pliers (hose clamp) to slide the hose clamps back.
• Twist hoses gently to break them free, then pull off. Use shop rags to catch remaining coolant.
• If a hose is stuck, carefully work it loose—do not pry hard against plastic fittings.

Step 7: Remove the water pump

• Remove the water pump mounting bolts using a 12mm socket and ratchet.
• Remove the pump from the front cover. More coolant will spill—keep the drain pan underneath.
• Clean the sealing surface using a plastic razor blade scraper, gasket scraper, and brake cleaner spray on a shop rag.
• Do not gouge the aluminum sealing surface.

Step 8: Install the new water pump and gasket

• Install the new gasket/O-ring onto the new pump (lightly wet O-ring with fresh coolant if applicable).
• Position the pump and hand-start all bolts to prevent cross-threading.
• Tighten bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern using an inch-pound torque wrench: Torque to 12 N·m (106 in-lb).

Step 9: Reinstall pulley, belt, fan, and shroud

• Reinstall the water pump pulley and tighten bolts using a 10mm socket and foot-pound torque wrench: Torque to 10 N·m (7 ft-lb).
• Route the belt per your photo and release the tensioner using the serpentine belt tool (specialty).
• Reinstall the fan/shroud assembly. Tighten the fan clutch nut using the 36mm fan clutch wrench (specialty) (snug/firm—self-tightens in operation).
• Reinstall shroud fasteners using a 10mm socket.

Step 10: Reinstall splash shield and lower the QX80

• Reinstall the splash shield using a 10mm socket and trim clip removal tool.
• Lower the vehicle from the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).

Step 11: Refill and bleed the cooling system

• Reconnect the battery negative terminal using a 10mm socket.
• Install a spill-free coolant funnel kit (specialty) on the radiator fill neck.
• Fill with Nissan/INFINITI Blue Long Life 50/50 premix until full.
• Set HVAC to hottest temp and medium fan.
• Start the engine and let it idle. Watch for bubbles in the funnel as air purges.
• As the thermostat opens, coolant level will drop—add as needed with the funnel.
• When bubbles stop and heat is steady, shut off engine and let it cool, then top off radiator and the overflow reservoir using a funnel.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and check for leaks around the water pump and hoses with a flashlight.
• Verify the heater blows hot (confirms coolant flow).
• Test drive 10-15 minutes, then recheck coolant level after a full cool-down.
• Watch the temperature gauge for any overheating.
• Recheck for drips the next morning.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $700-$1,300 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $520-$850 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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