My water pump is leaking but I replaced timing belt and pump a year ago. Can I just replace the water pump this time?
was told the water pump is leaking. the previous owner replaced it and the timing belt about a year and a half ago. not under warranty so my question is can I just replace the water pump or do I have to replace everything again? car is running great just leaking fluid from the water pump. If so how labor intensive is the job? how many hours will this take to repair?
My car has 134000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. You can just replace the water pump in this case. Although, the cost of just the timing belt is fairly negligible in comparison to the total labor of the job. My estimator says the water pump is a 6.5 hour job. Multiply that by whatever the shop rate is and you have the total labor without parts. You end up saving about $100 or less on parts if you only replace the pump.
The deciding factor will be the condition of the timing belt. If it has problems, you won’t be saving yourself any money by reusing it. In addition, there are seals and pulleys that may need to be replaced as well.
Assuming all the related parts were replaced the first time around, there isn’t a reason you can’t reuse them. I would say you should weigh the savings of reusing them against the actual condition of the parts. This is best determined after a complete disassembly. Keep in mind, time estimates will vary a bit depending on many factors. Either way, the labor is the largest cost.
If you would like to have the water pump replaced, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to perform this service at your convenience.
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Can you change the water pump without changing the timing belt? In principle, this is possible, but we do not recommend it. As already mentioned, all components are subject to the same mileage and wear. Therefore, all components in the synchronous drive should always be replaced at the same time.
The timing belt and water pump will need to be changed in line with the manufacturer`s recommendation; this is normally every 60,000 miles. Most people change both components at the same time to save on costs and time.
It`s a good idea to replace the timing belt or the water pump before it actually fails. Some very expensive repairs can crop up when either part fails. If a timing belt breaks in an interference engine, the failure can cause bent valves and damage to pistons. The repairs can add up to thousands of dollars.
The average cost for a Chrysler PT Cruiser Water Pump Replacement is between $870 and $1,031. Labor costs are estimated between $616 and $777 while parts are priced between $254 and $254.
So when the water pump must be replaced, it is a good idea to go ahead and also replace the timing belt, timing belt tensioner and idler pulleys.
When you have the timing belt replaced at a reputable service center, the service should also include a few other things. The tensioner and idler rollers should also be replaced. The technician will also inspect the crankshaft seal and the camshaft seal, replacing them if necessary.
It is safer to replace the timing belt even earlier than the manufacturer recommends. In general, however, timing belts needs to be replaced from 60,000 miles up to 150,000 miles.
No timing belt will give an increase in performance – it`s just not possible. Its main job is to keep the timing in check. Having your timing belt replaced and noticing an increase in performance is just a mix of the engine operating at peak efficiency and a good hit of placebo effect thrown in for good measure!
While the amount of the efficiency loss is small, it`s fair to say that replacing an older water pump can lead to a small increase in engine efficiency and fuel economy. A new water pump can also reduce engine noise. Again, older pumps likely have a bearing with some wear and tear.
If a water pumping is leaking it cannot efficiently move coolant around the engine. If that happens the engine will get hotter and will eventually overheat. At first the temperature gauge will hit the red, then you`ll start seeing steam from under the hood.
If you don`t replace the timing belt at the recommended time, you could end up with total engine failure, broken or bent valves, cylinder head or camshaft damage, and piston and cylinder wall damage.
The water pump is attached to an idler sprocket of the left bank of the timing chain. To replace the water pump, both chains need to be removed. This pump has been known to go 200,000 miles or more. If the engine has had timing belt tensioner and guide issues, the sprocket can become worn.
In order to cater the different needs of the market, timing belt kits are also available without a water pump.
The water pump is attached to an idler sprocket of the left bank of the timing chain. To replace the water pump, both chains need to be removed. This pump has been known to go 200,000 miles or more. If the engine has had timing belt tensioner and guide issues, the sprocket can become worn.
However, if the vehicle has a timing belt, there is a very specific interval for replacing it. Timing belt replacement is generally recommended every 60,000 to more than 100,000 miles, depending on the vehicle manufacturer.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My water pump is leaking but I replaced timing belt and pump a year ago. Can I just replace the water pump this time?
ANSWER : Hello. You can just replace the water pump in this case. Although, the cost of just the timing belt is fairly negligible in comparison to the total labor of the job. My estimator says the water pump is a 6.5 hour job. Multiply that by whatever the shop rate is and you have the total labor without parts. You end up saving about $100 or less on parts if you only replace the pump.
The deciding factor will be the condition of the timing belt. If it has problems, you won’t be saving yourself any money by reusing it. In addition, there are seals and pulleys that may need to be replaced as well.
Assuming all the related parts were replaced the first time around, there isn’t a reason you can’t reuse them. I would say you should weigh the savings of reusing them against the actual condition of the parts. This is best determined after a complete disassembly. Keep in mind, time estimates will vary a bit depending on many factors. Either way, the labor is the largest cost.
If you would like to have the water pump replaced, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to perform this service at your convenience.
I had my timing belt and water pump replaced 45000 miles ago. Now I am told I need to replace water pump. Is this normal?
ANSWER : Hello there, 45,000 miles is a short lifespan for a water pump on your 2000 Honda Odyssey. There are a few reasons the water pump will need to be replaced, such as a pump bearing failure, water pump seal leak, or rust/contamination damaging the pump. Faults such as rust or particles in the cooling system are formed in the cooling system over time and the parts break down, or regular coolant flushes are not performed. These particles can cause the pump to fail prematurely. It would be a good idea to ask why the water pump needs to be replaced or take note of any symptoms you are experiencing with the car before moving forward with this. If you would like to have an expert give you a second opinion on this, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your location to inspect the car and replace the water pump if necessary.
hi- i got an estimate to replace my timing belt and water pump for my 2012 pilot. Do these figures seem right? Timing belt (35.00)
ANSWER : Hi there. That is a fairly good and detailed estimate for this type of service. It also falls within the price estimation to have a mechanic shop complete this service. However, you might want to consider a third option, of having a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete the timing belt replacement and water pump replacement. Simply click the blue links to receive an estimate for both services.
How can I tell if the water pump has been replaced as the previous owner claimed?
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for your question. The best thing to get when purchasing a car are service records. If the seller doesn’t have them in hand, you can go to the shop that did the work and they will have records of the repair details. If the car looks meticulously maintained, that is a really good indication of the condition of the car. And yes, the timing belt likely would have been replaced along with the water pump.
To add, an experienced technician can tell if the timing belt has been replaced. A timing belt with 100,000 miles on it will look significantly different than one that has been replaced. There will need to be some disassembly to see the belt, but it isn’t that much work to be able to take a look at it. The water pump on the other hand takes significantly more work to see. I can say that almost all shops, including YourMechanic, will advise a customer to replace the timing belt and water pump at the same time. This is standard in the industry.
If there is any question, ask for the records. It should be an easy thing to go to the shop that repaired it and get the information. Sometimes the customer will have to call the repair shop to allow them to release the information.
Good luck! Sounds like a good car.
Does the water pump need to be replaced if the water pump belt is showing signs of wear? Or just the belt?
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. There is no reason to replace the water pump every time the belt is changed, unless the pump itself is damaged or not working properly. The belt may show signs of wear which is fairly common between 80k-100k miles. I would not recommend putting the belt service off as this can cause major damage if the belt were to snap. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your home to inspect your belts to determine when and if they would need to be replaced, while at the same time inspecting your water pump and cooling system to be sure there are no issues with it.
Do I need to replace timing belt again of replacing water pump?
ANSWER : The water pump and timing belt should be replaced as a set if the coolant leaked on the belt. The coolant leaking on it will damage the belt.
I have a leak in the coolant system that I have narrowed to I believe is the water inlet tube off of the lower radiator hose.
ANSWER : First off, I would say it would be best to pressure test the cooling system to verify where the coolant is coming from. With the complexity of repairs to the cooling system on this vehicle, it may be worth the time spent to pressure test the system before tackling the replacement. Now then, as far as replacing the o-ring seal on the water pump inlet tube, it should really only require the removal of the bypass hose, lower radiator hose, and the two (or three, depending on manufacturing changes) mounting bolts that hold the inlet tube to the block. I personally would go ahead and replace the tube while I was there, instead of just the o-ring. Granted, this doesn’t mention what it will take to get down to the inlet pipe, but this is all it should take once you have access to it. If this is something that you feel you could use a hand with, consult with a certified mechanic, like those available at YourMechanic.com.
Water pump is leaking, do I need to replace the timing belt, too? The car also has a misfire on cylinder 3.
ANSWER : Hi there. If the engine has too many miles on a timing belt, then a timing belt is suggested for replacement. The misfire for cylinder 3 could be caused by a spark plug failure, fuel injector failure, or a problem with the cylinder.
First, check for the fuel injector. Start the engine and disconnect the harness to the fuel injector for cylinder 3. If the engine sounds different, then the fuel injector was working. If the engine has no difference in sound, then the injector was not working and needs to be checked.
Next, check the spark plug for a solid blue / orange spark. If the spark is weak, the plugs and wires need to be replaced as a set.
To check the cylinder if it is getting hot enough to burn fuel, put a compression tester on cylinder 3 and crank the engine over. There should be more than 130 psi.
If you need further assistance confirming the misfire diagnosis, then a certified technician from YourMechanic, can come to your car’s location for a second opinion on the car.
