Urgent, ZD30 vacuum pump, drive gear failure.

Need some URGENT advice/input on this issue.
My wife’s 01 GU wagon ran out brakes and clutch. The mechanic found the vacuum had crapped its self, but found the pump was still fine. His diagnosis with the help of Nissan was that the gear inside the engine had stripped, and a replacement from Nissan was going to cost around 3.5k, parts only.
Has anyone had to fix this issue?
Are there after market parts, or a cheaper source for them?
What sort of cost was involved?
At the moment I’m looking to scrap the car, but it’s in realy good condition for its age, so if I can fix it easier than explained, I’ll keep it going. The car owes me nothing.
TIA fellas....

I understand the "head scratch" ,,, car owes me nothing, i can spend a bit. 2001 is it worth putting 3.5K parts in that will add no value ? Its in really good nick, dont want to scrap it.
I think what I would do , is find an old engine thats "buggered" remove timing gears and fit them to your engine.
Read my recent post where i replaced IP [injector pump]
If you work on the buggered engine first you will learn the tricks before you start on your good engine.
Allow a full w/end of work.
If you decide to go this way send me personal message and i am happy to talk with you and help you through it.

depends which gear has stripped also.
weather timing gears have stripped ,, or weather its the spirally gear on the end of the balance shaft.
easy enough to remove vacuum pump and inspect [imagine you have already done that]
I think if its the spirally gear you need to replace the balance shaft

Hey dagwill, have had that same thought. My mechanic said this is only the second case he has seen with zd’s. The only other was in a Navara. Appreciate the your offer, and I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.

Yeh not to sure which gear myself, the pump is off and timing case is open. Been searching for a manual to have a look at what’s hiding behind the chain and gears.

This may help you mate.
You can even buy your parts from them. Cheaper than any Nissan Stealership...
https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genu...&vid=214979&q=

Hi,, small correction, what I remembered as "small spirally gear" is in fact straight cut shaft about 20mm diameter. [ the gear that goes into the vac. pump ]