Waterpump With Cambelt Change

[BillNick]

Hi all,

Cambelt change is coming out of this months wages. I was wondering about the reliability of our water pumps? I know most will advise to renew the water pump with the cambelt as all components are already off so it is no extra labour etc?

But at an extra £95 + coolant on top of my bill which is already looking at £250 I wonder how necessary this is?

Has anyone had a water pump fail on them? What complications could it cause? How do they fail - gradually or suddenly? Is replacing a waterpump without doing the cambelt just as much labour?

My car has done 80k, but the waterpump looks almost new and the bearings feel solid when I inspect them so I am wondering if has been replaced since the car was new - is this likely at 80k?

Thoughts please?

[fjcfarrar]

Hi all,

Cambelt change is coming out of this months wages. I was wondering about the reliability of our water pumps? I know most will advise to renew the water pump with the cambelt as all components are already off so it is no extra labour etc?

But at an extra £95 + coolant on top of my bill which is already looking at £250 I wonder how necessary this is?

Has anyone had a water pump fail on them? What complications could it cause? How do they fail - gradually or suddenly? Is replacing a waterpump without doing the cambelt just as much labour?

My car has done 80k, but the waterpump looks almost new and the bearings feel solid when I inspect them so I am wondering if has been replaced since the car was new - is this likely at 80k?

Thoughts please?

Mine just started dribbling and I think this is fairly common. To change it separately takes nearly as long as changing the cam-belt, but only adds 20mins or so to that job. It is a bit like insurance to change it at the same time. Personally, I think it is worthwhile.

[atce4]

I would def have the water pump changed, mine started leaking 2 years ago after only 30k miles and Lexus Hatfield charged me £560 to replace it (£103 for the pump, £27 coolant and £343 labour + vat on top - daylight robbery really but it had to be done). I was unaware that it involved removing the cambelt otherwise I'd have got them to change that too - funny they didn't suggest it either lol!!

The water pump bypass pipe O rings can also leak so it's also worth getting them replaced at the same time.

[mattc]

As already said. May as well whilst getting the cambelt done. Good piece of mind as well knowing its on less thing to worry about.

[BillNick]

I hadnt realised the cambelt had to come off for the water pump to be removed....that is the decider for me...

Thanks for your help all :-)

[Hogan22a]

It is possible to sneak out water pump without taking off timing belt.

difficult but possible