To replace or not replace (water pump/TB)

[InvalidUserID]

The previous owner of my '99 Civic EX had the timing belt & water pump replaced about 51k / 3 1/2 years ago (non OEM parts).

A few weeks ago, the Honda shop I took my car to to replace my trailing arm bushings alerted me that my water pump is slowly leaking everso slightly. They didn't say I needed to replace it right away, just to watch my coolant level to make sure I don't run out of coolant.

Knowing my water pump is slowly leaking, is it too soon to do a water pump/timing belt job? My buddy says to just wait but I've always been one to get broken items fixed. What would YOU do?

 

[bdcardinal]

if its a money issue I would get an estimate to replace it using all OEM Honda parts and save 120% of that and then get it done. I say 120% to account for price increases.

 

[Scotty1981]

I've never had a problem using aftermarket parts, just try to avoid the cheapest, for example, I recently did a wheel bearing change on my Malibu and Napa had two different wheel bearings one at 80 bucks and another at 130, I went for the 130 dollar one figuring you get what you pay for and it would be better. I think it was an SFK part, not sure if I am recalling what the box said correctly though.

 

[Scott_Tucker]

If it is a car you depend on and you have the money to fix it, it will be cheaper to fix it now to avoid paying for a rental car, towing, missed work, etc. Leaks don't usually stay small, they build until the dam bursts. However, the amount of time it takes until it catastrophically fails is the unknown. It may be tomorrow, it may be ten years from now. Personally, I wouldn't fix it since I know when it does start to fail I can limp or tow it to my shop. You probably don't have that convenience.

 

[mechtech2]

Water pumps can have a bit of wetness by the weep hole and be fine for many thousands of miles more.
See if it is really leaking.

 

[UNC038]

It all depends on how much it's leaking any how much mileage you put on it. My last water pump that leaked, I drove it for about 4 months (~5k miles) and then decided to change it myself.

 

[PandaBear]

If you have been monitoring it for a while and it is still weep, I'd say replace it.

The labor is $200-240 in an independent mechanic last time I did mine, and the parts (Gates) is about $100 from rockauto.

Civic, even the EX with VTEC, uses single cam pulley to attach the timing belt, and that usually means it last 60k, so I'd just do it a little early and replace it now since you are not saving much waiting to hit exactly 60k.

 

[Dave Hess]

I had original T-belt / WP changed at 125K miles in our 1998 Civic EX. Honda gave us a free loaner car for the day while it was getting changed.

I would wait until the leak gets bad and then have it changed.

 

[InvalidUserID]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The shop mentioned that it is a barely noticeable leak, very small and that I probably wouldn't have even noticed anything on the ground.

The original owner used a quick lube place to change the TB & water pump so I'm not sure about the quality of the parts. I may just wait since it isn't that bad and replace them later this year (the shop uses only Honda parts). Sort of early and on the lower end of mileage for the parts, but it'll help me sleep better knowing it's fixed with OEM parts.

 

[Maritime Storm]

Chnage both and be able to sleep at night knowing your not going to cook the motor or belt jump because of being soaked with coolant. The timing belt and water pump replacement is not a bad job on most Hondas, so why stress over it.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Scotty1981
I've never had a problem using aftermarket parts, just try to avoid the cheapest, for example, I recently did a wheel bearing change on my Malibu and Napa had two different wheel bearings one at 80 bucks and another at 130, I went for the 130 dollar one figuring you get what you pay for and it would be better. I think it was an SFK part, not sure if I am recalling what the box said correctly though.



You are. The more expensive NAPA Wheel bearings are made by SKF. Not sure what the cheaper one is though.