Billc123

Hey

Brand new member here. I just purchased a 1990 300zx non-turbo. The water pump is leaking and needs replacing. I ordered all new OEM water pump, paper gasket, thermostat and silicone gasket for that. If I'm correct, there's no need to remove the timing belt for these. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Anyone have any tips on replacement or what tools would be helpful in doing so?

Thanks!

zxguy1986

Welcome to ZDriver!

Great Z you picked up! Now pick yourself up a free factory service manual (FSM) at XenonZ32.com Reference and check out all the other cool docs there on that site. They will come in handy in keeping your Z in shape.

Your FSM has loads of inspection/troubleshooting pages that are easy to follow. Put a little time in and get to know your manual. Everybody here refers to it.

Usually timing belt removal and replacement isn't that difficult once you get in there. Getting to the timing belt takes all the time and effort. Let's see what our Z32 pros have to say about water pump replacement in your Z.

Thanks and welcome! !

rogerz

why go to all the trouble to get to the water pump and not do the timing belt (unless it was just done, but then why didn't they replace the water pump then). Once there just do it all or you pay the price twice for what you may have saved once

Billc123

Thanks guys I did download the manual. That will help a ton! I'm honestly a little nervous about doing the timing belt. This is not a daily driver. Will be driven sparingly. It's running well as it sits. I kind of figured I would do the water pump now and maybe the timing belt as next summers project.

rogerz

doesn't matter how little you drive it. when the belt goes so does the engine. won't get any easier next year and it is a lot of niggling work to get all the stuff out of the way to do the waterpump.