Timing belt and water pump replacement

I wonder if it is really worth to have the water pump replaced at the
same time the timing belt is, even though the pump shows no problem.
The dealer's service advisor recommended it as -- supposedly -- the pump
often goes bad at around the time the timing belt is due for replacement
and if I have it done both at the same time I could avoid another
expensive repair job soon after the belt replacement.

Now, I know that much of the labor is the same for both jobs, but I
wonder if dealers really pass the labor savings to me when they do both
jobs at the same time or they just pocket it for themselves and bill me
the same total charge I would accrue if they did the two jobs
separately. Anybody here has any experience with this?
I just figure they have these standard charges for each kind of service
job and add them together on the bill, regardless whether they do the
jobs at the same time or separately.

Rudy

 

It takes 10 minutes and 5 bolts to replace the water pump with the
timing belt off. It takes 3-4 hours to do a timing belt itself. The
water pump is behind the timing belt.

I think its worthwhile to swap out the pump at the same time your
doing the water pump. I also think it's worthwhile to replace the
thermostat ($15 part), since you have to drain the coolant anyways.

Have them write you an estimate and scrutinize it.. If they want an
extra $100 in labor to do the water pump, ask them for a discount
since you know it's 5 bolts with the timing belt removed. Perhaps get
an estimate from an independent Honda shop too.

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N38.6 W121.4

 

Thanks, but would this be true also for a '94 Accord LX?

Rudy

 

In my 92 LX it actually has 2 timing belts if memory serves me. I would do
the water pump just as insurance. Some people do the tension pulley at the
same time on the front end. The thermostat is a plus minus for me. On Hondas
it is on the top hoses (as opposed to the bottom and you do not have to
replace much fluid if you want to change the thermostat later0. It is on the
other side of the block as well. wolf

 

I would change the pump (and my money is where my mouth is, I did have
the pump replaced in March of last year when I got my timing belt
replaced). My thinking is that replacing the pump alone is just as much
labor as replacing the timing belt and the pump. The TB replacement
interval on my car is 90k miles. I know the pump made it to 90k, but I
doubt it would make it to 180k. Replacing it now, I am out a small
amount of money. If I waited until it failed I would be out a lot of
money, and I thought it would be likely to fail before I needed a timing
belt replacement again.

 

Rudy,

You still didn't mention the mileage. I'd do the water pump every second
time. (If the coolant has been cared for). When we took the water pump
out of our CRV, at 200,000km, it was so clean, inside and out, you could
have eaten off it. Spins great. I had already bought the replacement, so
I changed it. I keep the old one, just to marvel at it once and a while.

'Curly'

=================

 

while.

The recommended timing belt replacment interval is at every 90K
miles. My car is getting close to 180K miles, so it would be the 2nd
belt replacement. They did replace the water pump at 90K. This car
still runs like new.

Rudy

 

I know that but was wondering if the dealer charges the same amount
for the water pump replacement if it's done at the same time the timing
belt is replaced, thus pocketing the labor saving to himself. Well,
when I get to make a service appointment for it I'll make sure to clear
that up.

Rudy

 

I believe so. However, you can go into the parts department and ask
for a print out of the exploded drawing of the waterpump in relation
to the timing belt and that would tell you for sure.

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N38.6 W121.4

 

Accord water pumps have been driven by the TB since at least 1990.
Other Honda models since at least 1986. I would expect the dealer to
replace the pump for the parts cost plus the cost of a coolant flush.
The additional labor is trivial in relation to what has to be done to
replace the TB.