Engine problem 1999 Nissan Sentra 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 165000 miles ---------------------------------------------------------------- I have a leaking water pump that has to be replaced. I am calling around getting prices and some people tell me that I have to do the timing chain at the same time and that will be a great deal more money. Can I just replace the water pump? It seems that the water pump only will be about 200.00 but both could be 500.00. Please help
nissans are a pain in the @s$
I don't know about a 1999 Sentra specifically, but when I replaced my water pump in my 96 Saturn SC2 I didn't have to do anything timing belt. Unless the mechanic says it just needs to be replaced the two items should not be related.
You can replace the water pump and not do the timing chain. Timing chains are not designed to need replacing. If it is a belt then changing the water pump is halfway to changing the belt, so I would go ahead and do that because 165000 is a lot of miles on a belt that was probably changed at 60 to 75,000 miles. And it should not be $500.00 if the water pump was only $200.