Hello online mechanics! You guys have saved me a lot of money on my car, so now I have a new question! I have a 97 Ford Contour and lately since it's been cool in NJ, I've been hearing a tapping coming from the timing belt cover, but when the car warms up, there's no sound. I took the car to my mechanic and he says that I need to have the timing belt replaced, the pulleys adjusted, and the water pump changed. The price for doing the timing belt was $400 (including adjusting the pulleys) and $700 for the timing and the water pump. My question is ; do I need to do the water pump? He says that if you do the timing belt, that you should do the water pump too, but should I if there's nothing wrong with it ( as far as I know) and I'm not looking for the added expense? I thought if it ain't broke don't fix it still applies to things, or am I mistaken? Thanks guys gals! In these tough economic times, I'm not looking to spend any more than is necessary!
How many miles on that beast, as far as aligning the pulleys.... That is a bogus line as the pulleys are already aligned and they should realign them as standard practice if they remove them... On the water pump totally your call, if it is running OK leave it alone but remember that if it goes it will cost you another 400 to replace it as it is inside the timing cover. I would have it done for peace of mind. I am really curious why the pulleys need adjusting....
make sure you have coolant in,or a couple month with out would burn the seals,sound like lifters as its goes away when hot (expand) try buying lukas oil stabilizer as it thicker and also lube better and run smother
ask some of your friends if they have a mechanic that they trust . Take the car to them and see if you get the same answer ?
Hi if it was one of my customers i would recommend the water pump as in cases they have failed 500miles after the belt change.. especally on older cars 10yrz + its up to realy can you afford it are you weilling to gamble and pay the 700 anyway if it fails in the future...
That's the common thinking (to replace a water pump if you go as far as removing the old timing belt. The idea is that if you don't replace it and it goes bad before the next time the timing belt needs changed, then you will pay significantly for the labor that could have been done now. Boy, I hate to hear those prices. I have always done my own repair work. Do you own the tools and capable/amenable to doing it yourself ? Do you know that if you did that job yourself that the cost would only be about $110. ($30+/- for the belt; and $80+/- for the pump). Anyway.... yeah replace the pump now if the mileage is 75,000 or more because it probably won't last until 150,000 (next belt change)
