Changing the waterpump with timing belt - why??

[Condi]

Whats the thinking behind this? Water pumps dont go that often do they? It seems like a way of making the garage some extra cash because they can, Ive never known a waterpump fail and yet everyone seems to change them when the timing belt is off.

I know its 'only' £30, but when Im only paying £120 or so for the cambelt its still another 25% which might not need paying.

[Condi]

FeelingLucky said:

Not sure if serious, I suspect not.

Whyfore? In my line of business we change things when they need changing, not because 'you can'. Ive spent a lot of years around tractors and plant machinery and never 'preventativly' changed a water pump. I think Ive only changed one because it was 'gone', 99% of the time its just the gaskets which leak, put some new sealer on and they are good again.

If thats the case with cars then I shall put a new gasket on, its just a shaft and a bearing afterall; nothing complicated.

[Condi]

Willy Nilly said:

My tractor had a major service on Monday and I even got new fan and compressor belts, well I would have, but they bought Sisu belts and it's got a Perkins. Change the water pump as well you flat cap wearing tight wad;).

Parents had a water pump let go on VW powered Skoda, it was never right again.

My dislike of spending money comes more from my northern roots than any occupation. Its against a Yorkshireman's religion.

[Condi]

4key said:

Quite a few cars came with crappy plastic impellers.

Being French, if there is a crappy way of doing it, they've probably done it.


I shall cave to popular opinion and reach into the bottom of my pocket. Hang the expense!

[Condi]

Willy Nilly said:

Do you get a company car flogging grain, or whatever you do now?

I had to get a pry bar and WD40 to my wallet only this morning, but broke the handle on the pry bar

Im not a grain peddeler, and dont get a company car. Others in the office do, but they are a good few rungs up the ladder or do mega miles for work. Wouldnt mind getting one, brand new BMW 3 series for £100/month all in, although some have Mondeo's, Audi's etc. One lad's wife works at Merc and he has a brand new Merc every 9000 miles through her. She has her own company merc as well. Nice little perk if you can get it.

[Condi]

RizzoTheRat said:

I'm a tight wad, headlight went the other week so I bought a pair but only changed one and the others the glove box while I get maximum value for money out of the remaining original

Headlight went in one side so I bought one bulb? Makes sense to me... No point buying 2 when you only need one!

[Condi]

saaby93 said:

ok but the list has already increased to add in the pulleys
Any other cam mechanisms? How long do headgaskets last

Most things are wearing parts in the extreme. Clutches are designed to wear, CV joints dont last forever, starter motor dog clutches, wheel bearings go etc. You've got to be sensible and replace what needs replacing, rather than what 'might' be on its way out.