Preventative Water Pump Replacement?

[leahg]

Hi everyone; this is my first post.

 

I've got a 96 Outback 2.5 (automatic) with about 145K miles.

 

I've owned the car for just over a year and have had a fair amount of maintenance-level work done on it- new alternator, timing belt, crankshaft sensor, plugs, etc.

 

Just recently when I brought it in for transmission service and oil change, the guys at the garage freaked out over what they thought was a loose vibration damper in the crankshaft. Long story short, I brought it to the dealer, who torqued the pulley bolt (which is now sitting true) but diagnosed a failing water pump.

 

Nothing's leaking as of yet, but they advised me to bring it in as soon as possible for a new pump.

 

The men in my life suggest I wait until the pump goes- but I realize that by the time that happens, it may require replacing the timing belt again, tacking on an additional $100+ to an already $450 ordeal to swap out the pump.

 

So is it worth it to wait? The guys think I'm crazy to spend money on it as this point, but then, these are new-belts-are-for-sissies, brakes-optional kind of guys.

 

Thanks for your help- (I've learned a great deal from scouring these forums this past year!)

 

-Leah

[zyewdall]

Timing belts and water pumps should always be replaced at the same time. it's ~$100 for each part, and ~$300 labor whether you replace one or both of them.

 

How many miles on the timing belt now? Perhaps just do both right now, and call it good. The bad part if the water pump goes will be that you could overheat the engine if you aren't watching the guage, and that will mean fried head gaskets.

 

Edit: just reread, and it seems that you just recently had the timing belt replaced? 120k service perhaps? Was the water pump replaced at the same time? I usually do replace it every other timing belt change, even if it seems good.

 

I would also get a second opinion on the failing water pump. Why do they think it's on its way out?

[idosubaru]

i vote for 2nd and 3rd oppinions too unless you're very confident of the honesty/reliability/knowledge of the person doing the diagnosis.

 

if it is faulty in anyway, replace it. overheating is bad and also if the pulley/bearings went out it could affect the timing belt and this being an interference engine could cause major internal engine damage.

 

that being said, you might want to post symptoms here for advice. what makes them think the water pump is bad? do you see any signs? have the head gaskets ever been replaced? has the car overheated at all?

 

this is exactly why most people replace the water pump when they do a timing belt, to avoid "paying for it twice" like you're doing right now.

[leahg]

Thanks Z-

 

Yes, the timing belt was replaced when I bought the car at 125K. The water pump wasn't replaced. (Edit: The timing belt was replaced before the sale)

 

I actually don't know why the water pump is "starting to go" aside from its rattling...or so I'm told...so what does a rattling waterpump indicate?

 

I guess my overall question would be- is it possible the water pump could live forever? I'll probably be driving this car for another year or so, but I've sunk a bunch of money into it, and obviously would like to avoid this latest round if possible.

 

(Also, I just realized I should have posted this in the 'Newer Generation' forum- sorry! Moderators, please move...)