🔧 Murano - Water Pump Replacement

On your Murano’s 3.5L V6, the water pump is mounted on the front of the engine and is driven by the serpentine belt. Replacement involves draining coolant, removing the belt and water pump pulley, swapping the pump and seal, then refilling and bleeding the cooling system.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.5-4.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never open the radiator cap on a hot engine; let it cool fully first.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Coolant is toxic and slippery—use gloves, clean spills immediately, and keep away from pets.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers/tools clear of the belt path when releasing the tensioner.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 3-gallon)
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 3/8" torque wrench (5–80 ft-lbs range)
• Socket extension set (3" and 6")
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Hose clamp pliers (specialty)
• Serpentine belt tool (specialty)
• Plastic scraper
• Shop rags
• Funnel

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Water pump - Qty: 1
• Water pump O-ring / gasket (seal) - Qty: 1
• Serpentine drive belt - Qty: 1 Recommended while you’re there
• Nissan Blue Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (pre-mix) - Qty: 2-3 gallons
• Distilled water - Qty: 1 gallon Only if mixing/flush needed

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Let the engine cool completely (upper radiator hose should feel cool).
• Set the HVAC temperature to full HOT before starting (helps bleeding later).
• Position a drain pan under the radiator drain area before you open anything.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain the coolant

• Remove the radiator cap slowly (only when fully cool).
• From underneath, place your drain pan and open the radiator drain cock using a flat-blade screwdriver.
• Let coolant drain completely, then close the drain cock snugly using a flat-blade screwdriver.

Step 2: 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 undercover/splash shield fasteners using a 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.

Step 3: Remove the serpentine belt

• Place a serpentine belt tool (specialty) on the belt tensioner. (A serpentine belt tool is a long, thin handle made for tight belt tensioners.)
• Rotate the tensioner to relieve belt tension, then slip the belt off one pulley.
• Remove the belt fully and set it aside. Take a quick belt-routing photo.

Step 4: Remove the water pump pulley

• Hold the pulley steady by keeping light tension on the belt path (or carefully bracing) and remove the pulley bolts using a 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• Remove the pulley and set it aside.

Step 5: Disconnect water pump hoses

• Use hose clamp pliers (specialty) to compress the hose clamps and slide them back on the hose.
• Twist the hoses gently to break them loose, then pull them off the water pump.
• Catch leftover coolant with the drain pan (at least 3-gallon) and use shop rags to control spills.

Step 6: Remove the water pump

• Remove the water pump mounting bolts using a 12mm socket, socket extension set (3" and 6"), and 3/8" ratchet.
• Pull the water pump straight off the engine.
• Remove the old O-ring/gasket from the engine or pump.

Step 7: Clean the mating surface

• Use a plastic scraper to clean the sealing surface.
• Wipe clean with shop rags. Do not gouge the aluminum surface.

Step 8: Install the new water pump

• Install the new water pump O-ring / gasket (seal) onto the new pump (lightly wet with clean coolant so it doesn’t pinch).
• Position the pump and start all bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten mounting bolts evenly using a 12mm socket and 3/8" torque wrench: Torque to 12 N·m (9 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall pulley and belt

• Reinstall the water pump pulley and hand-start the bolts.
• Tighten pulley bolts using a 10mm socket and 3/8" torque wrench: Torque to 12 N·m (9 ft-lbs).
• Route the belt correctly, rotate the tensioner using the serpentine belt tool (specialty), and slip the belt back on.
• Double-check the belt is seated in every pulley groove.

Step 10: Reinstall splash shield and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall the undercover using a 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• Lower the vehicle safely using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).

Step 11: Refill and bleed the cooling system

• Fill the radiator slowly using a funnel with Nissan Blue Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (pre-mix).
• Fill the coolant reservoir to the MAX line.
• Start the engine and let it idle with the heater set to HOT.
• As the engine warms up, top off coolant as the level drops.
• When the radiator fans cycle and you feel steady heat from the vents, shut the engine off and let it cool, then recheck and top off.

---

✅ After Repair

• Check for leaks around the water pump and hose connections with the engine running.
• Verify the temperature gauge stays normal on a 10–15 minute test drive.
• After the engine cools completely, recheck coolant level in the radiator and reservoir and top off as needed.
• Listen for belt squeal; if present, re-check belt routing and seating.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $650-$1,050 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $140-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $510-$730 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.5-4.5 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.