My timing belt is worn but has not broken yet. The mechanic first told me it would be about $200-250 to replace the belt. Then he called back and said it was going to be $550 because on an Aveo you have to replace the water pump at the same time. I asked if it was possible to do just the belt and he said quot;well the water pump will probably break when we take it outquot;. Is this a sign that I should just break down and go to a dealership so that my water pump won't quot;breakupon removal?
your water pump wont break because you are doing a timing belt. BUT keep in mind that if your water pump should leak in the near future they would have to take the timing belt back off because you have to remove the inside timing cover to get to the water pump. I think that they are trying to actually save you some money in the long run.think of it as insurance. if something happens after the water pump is replaced. you have a warranty on that part(s) and find out how long of a warranty for both parts and labor.
He is saying that, because the water pump is driven by the timing belt and you SHOULD replace it while you are in there. Why pay twice down the road? Sure the belt can be done without doing the pump, the fact that he said the pump will break when doing a belt is complete bullsh*t though. There is no need to do anything to the pump when changing the belt other than taking the belt off the pulley. That's it. Generally, I just add maybe .5 hrs to the labor for the belt when doing the pump also, DOUBLE doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Unless he is worried about pump BOLTS snapping from CORROSION (that may be it) when removing the actual water pump, that is the only thing that can possibly justify doubling the labor, they may be in water jackets in the block. He should, however, make you aware that that is a possibility and not automatically assume that will happen and charge you for it. Depends, if they are careful with the removal, it should just add another 20-30 minutes to the timing belt job. Either way if you turn down the pump and they are telling you it will still break(?), go somewhere else. I work on cars everyday and would never charge someone an additional 300 dollars off the bat assuming the bolts will break. There are tricks to prevent that as well (penetrating fluid/PB Blaster). Generally if that does happen, one maybe two bolts would break tops and that still doesn't justify the additional labor... Hope that helps....
It is recommended to do the water pump while everything is taken down to do the belt, but it is not necessary. It should not break if the mechanic knows what they are doing. The water pump does NOT have to be removed to change the belt.
For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/axDjQ OK here you go. I have loads of experience with Subaru. Your technician is doing his job in making the offer to do the water and oil pump while doing the timing belt. He is right in saying as long as he is there it would save you lots of labor if it were necessary to replace them later. However, replacing them as regular preventative maintenance is not recommended. I say that with a small caveat, depending on how many miles are on the car, the water pump might not be a bad idea if you have 100k plus. A good inspection of the oil pump is strongly recommended. the Subaru oil pumps on that engine did tend to leak at the rear seal to the oil pump. This actually can be repaird as a small reseal and overhaul of the pump though and not require replacement. Subaru had enough of these that they packaged a reseal kit for them. Good luck and good driving. thewisetuner
If you need a timing belt then to keep from having to replace the water pump later and paying for the repair twice then it is just good practice to replace the water pump at the same time. However, the 550.00 sounds a bit high to replace both.
