1999 OBW: should water pump be replaced along with timing belt?

Definitely change the water pump, for two reasons. The water pump is relatively little labor once the timing belt is removed - you would say "D'oh!" if it starts leaking soon and passed up this opportunity. Maybe more important, old water pumps have been known to seize and destroy the timing belt, thus destroying the engine. I see posts like that every few years, and it's just heartbreaking. In fact, there was one here in the last month or two.

Mike

Have it replaced.

Replacing the timing belt is not cheap, so I would definitely replace any parts or seals while you are in there. I had the timing belt replaced when my waterpump starting leaking -- just the opposite, but the same idea. The mileage was so close to changing the belt it just made sense. For whatever reason it seems the water pump, seals and timing belt all last about the same time. :-)

Definitely change out the water pump while the belt is off. It's expensive, but you should also consider replacing the belt tensioner while the belt is off - they also have a habit of failing around

100,000 miles.

CHEAP insurance! always replace it with the timing belt... Applies to most 4/6 Cyl engines, regardless of MFGR.

Thanks to all who recommended changing out these parts: For about $400, we got a new water pump, thermostat, timing belt, tensioner, and cam seals, and the labor for the work cost about $120 because the majority of the labor was covered under the extended warranty for the leaking oil pump.

My question now is the appopriate solution to the leaking oil pump: the tech resealed it as opposed to replacing it, which I didn't fully realize until we got home and I read the invoice more carefully. Is this a satisfactory repair, or should I have put in a new oil pump? Remember, the work was covered under warranty.

Hi,

Assuming the oil pump's not worn beyond the limit, resealing is appropriate. Just think about it--what's leaking? It's a bad seal! There's an O-ring on the back of the pump, and regular style seal on the front--both should be replaced any time you're in that far (t-belt, water pump, etc.) The front crank main seal and the cam seals should be changed out, too. Few of the seals on the front of the engine will last beyond 100k miles or so without getting dry and starting to leak. Some claim the "hi-mileage" oils can help extend their life but I can't speak to that.

As for replacing the oil pump itself, assuming one does regular oil changes, oil pumps normally don't wear out that fast (mine's original at

360k miles) but the seals don't last, especially that chintzy little O-ring on the back! Heat's probably the biggest enemy.

Rick

Rick, thanks for this reassurance. :) From the invoice for this oil pump resealing job, the "seal ring cyln" and "slgn-belt cove" and "oil seal" were replaced along with Fuji bond. And while they were in the front of the engine, they replaced the water pump gasket, thermostat gasket, and the 4 timing belt oil seals (cam seals), so I think we are good to go for a long time with this car. Yes, we change the oil every 3k miles, religiously.

Hi,

Sounds like they treated you well! Next time you're due for a t-belt, you'll probably want to have 'em replace the water pump along w/ belt and all the seals (again--doing seals at each belt change is cheap insurance!) Water pump replacement interval recommendations vary--some get less than 100k miles, some over 200k, so it's another "cheap insurance" item since all the labor's pretty much done to get to the belt itself. I generally get good water pump mileage: like many others, I run 50-50 antifreeze and DISTILLED water. While the distilled water might not help, it certainly doesn't hurt, and it costs so little it's a good idea in my book.

Best of luck!

Rick

All excellent advice that I fully intend to follow. Thank you! My question now is whether I should worry about the cooling/heating system: the radiator is original, so is that doomed to fail or might it last indefinitely? I think this is about the last of the non-wear items to deal with on this car, and the extended warranty runs out in December, so I'm trying to plan ahead.