🔧 Murano - Water Pump Replacement

On your Murano’s 3.5L V6, the water pump is mounted behind the front timing cover and is driven by the timing chain. Replacing it is a major job because you must remove the front cover and work around the timing chains, then reseal everything carefully to prevent coolant and oil leaks.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 10-16 hours

Assumption: Stock 3.5L V6 with chain-driven internal water pump.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool fully before opening the cooling system.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ You will support the engine during mount removal; use an engine support bar or equivalent.
• ⚠️ Keep oil/coolant off drive belts and rubber mounts; clean spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent accidental cranking while the timing cover is off.
• ⚠️ Timing components must stay aligned; if timing slips, severe engine damage can occur.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Drain pan (at least 3-gallon)
• Funnel
• Trim clip remover
• Plastic scraper
• Shop rags
• Painter’s tape
• Paint marker
• Zip ties
• Metric socket set 8mm-22mm
• Metric wrench set 8mm-19mm
• 3/8" ratchet
• 1/2" breaker bar
• Torque wrench 10-200 ft-lbs
• Extensions set 3"-12"
• Universal joint adapter
• Phillips screwdriver #2
• Flathead screwdriver
• Serpentine belt tool 14mm
• Harmonic balancer puller set (specialty)
• Crank pulley holding tool (specialty)
• Engine support bar (specialty)
• RTV sealant applicator nozzle
• Cooling system spill-free funnel kit (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Water pump - Qty: 1
• Water pump O-ring / gasket - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (Nissan blue long-life, premix) - Qty: 2-3 gallons
• RTV silicone sealant (engine timing cover rated) - Qty: 1
• Front crankshaft seal - Qty: 1
• Serpentine drive belt - Qty: 1
• Timing cover O-rings / seals kit - Qty: 1
• Accessory belt tensioner (optional, if noisy) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal using a 10mm socket and move it aside.
• Raise the front and support it securely on jack stands.
• Remove the right-front wheel using a 21mm socket.
• Plan for cleanliness: the timing cover sealing surfaces must be oil-free and scratch-free.
• Take photos as you go.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan under the radiator drain.
• Open the radiator cap slowly, then open the drain using a Phillips screwdriver #2 or appropriate metric socket (varies by drain design).
• Drain the coolant completely, then close the drain.

Step 2: Remove splash shields and right inner fender liner

• Remove the lower engine splash shield fasteners using a trim clip remover and 10mm socket.
• Remove the right inner fender liner fasteners using a trim clip remover and 10mm socket.

Step 3: Support the engine

• Install an engine support bar (specialty) across the strut towers and lightly tension it.
• This tool holds the engine up when the right-side mount/bracket comes off.
• Do not lift the vehicle with it.

Step 4: Remove the serpentine belt

• Rotate the tensioner with a serpentine belt tool 14mm to release tension.
• Slip the belt off the pulleys and remove it.

Step 5: Remove components blocking the front cover

• Remove any front-side brackets, hoses, and harness clips attached to the timing cover using a 10mm socket and 12mm socket.
• Mark connector locations using painter’s tape to avoid mix-ups.

Step 6: Remove the right engine mount and bracket (as needed for access)

• With the engine supported, remove the right mount fasteners using a 14mm socket and 17mm socket.
• Remove the mount/bracket pieces to create clearance for timing cover removal.
• Torque to Nissan specification (do not guess) during reassembly.

Step 7: Remove the crank pulley (harmonic balancer)

• Hold the crank pulley using a crank pulley holding tool (specialty).
• Remove the crank bolt using a 1/2" breaker bar and correct metric socket.
• Remove the pulley using a harmonic balancer puller set (specialty).
• Torque to Nissan specification (do not guess) when reinstalling the crank bolt.

Step 8: Set the engine to TDC and mark the timing

• Rotate the engine by hand using a metric socket on the crank (clockwise only) until cylinder #1 is at TDC on compression.
• Use a paint marker to add clear match-marks on the timing chains and corresponding sprockets.
• Add zip ties to keep chain segments snug to the sprockets so they can’t jump teeth.
• Never rotate the crank with chains loose.

Step 9: Remove the front timing cover

• Remove timing cover bolts using a 10mm socket and 12mm socket (lengths vary).
• Organize bolts by location using labeled painter’s tape on cardboard.
• Carefully break the RTV seal and remove the cover using a plastic scraper (avoid gouging aluminum).
• Torque to Nissan specification (do not guess) for timing cover bolts during assembly, and follow Nissan’s tightening sequence.

Step 10: Remove the water pump

• Place a drain pan under the front of the engine; more coolant may spill.
• Remove the water pump fasteners using a 10mm socket.
• Remove the water pump and old O-ring / gasket.
• Clean the sealing surface with a plastic scraper and shop rags until perfectly clean and dry.

Step 11: Install the new water pump

• Install the new water pump O-ring / gasket onto the pump (do not reuse the old one).
• Install the pump and hand-start all bolts using your fingers.
• Tighten evenly using a 10mm socket.
• Torque to Nissan specification (do not guess) for water pump bolts.

Step 12: Replace the front crank seal (recommended)

• Remove the old seal carefully using a flathead screwdriver (do not scratch the crank snout).
• Install the new seal squarely using an appropriate socket as a driver and tap gently until seated evenly.

Step 13: Reseal and reinstall the timing cover

• Remove all old RTV from both surfaces using a plastic scraper and shop rags.
• Apply a continuous bead of RTV silicone sealant in the OEM pattern around coolant/oil passages.
• Install the cover carefully without smearing the bead.
• Install bolts finger-tight, then tighten in stages using a torque wrench.
• Torque to Nissan specification (do not guess) and follow the Nissan bolt-tightening sequence.
• RTV needs clean, dry metal.

Step 14: Reinstall crank pulley, mounts, and belt

• Reinstall the crank pulley and crank bolt using a crank pulley holding tool (specialty) and torque wrench.
• Torque to Nissan specification (do not guess) for the crank bolt.
• Reinstall the right engine mount/bracket using a 14mm socket and 17mm socket.
• Torque to Nissan specification (do not guess) for all mount fasteners.
• Install the new serpentine belt using the serpentine belt tool 14mm and confirm it sits in every pulley groove.

Step 15: Reinstall liners and shields

• Reinstall the right inner fender liner and splash shield using a trim clip remover and 10mm socket.
• Reinstall the wheel using a 21mm socket.
• Torque to Nissan specification (do not guess) for lug nuts.

Step 16: Refill and bleed the cooling system

• Refill with Nissan blue long-life premix coolant using a funnel or spill-free funnel kit (specialty).
• Start the engine and set the heater to full hot; let it idle and top off as air burps out.
• Watch the temperature gauge closely and shut down if it overheats.
• Once warm and stable, shut off, cool down, then recheck and top off again.

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✅ After Repair

• Check for leaks around the timing cover, water pump area, and under the vehicle.
• Verify the heater blows hot and the temperature gauge stays normal on a test drive.
• After the first full heat-soak/cool-down cycle, recheck coolant level and top off if needed.
• Inspect the serpentine belt tracking; it should run centered and quiet.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,400-$2,800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $1,150-$2,150 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 8-12 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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