Water Pump Advice wanted...

[JT95]

I've got to replace a cracked timing cover on my '99 OBS. It has 71,000 miles on it. Since the radiator is already out of the car, I thought it'd make sense to put a new timing belt on it. Also, a new thermostat. I was wondering if I should do the water pump as well, or is 71k kind of early to replace the water pump? Is that something that should go more up to 150k?

 

I'm buying Subaru thermostat and Subaru timing belt kit. Does aftermarket matter on the water pump, or is new factory Subaru the only way to go there? O'Reilly has a new

[bheinen74]

i would leave the water pump til the 150k change. they are meant to last that long last i recall (that applies to oem, not aftermarket pumps) I would wait til the HG's go anyways to do the pump.

btw, a oem pump should easily get double the life than an Oreilly pump. So, you should get another 80k out ofr yours, but the O'reilly specail maybe only 60k to begin with.

[EVOthis]

yeah isnt the replacement intervel for the t-belt 105k......i would say you still have some life left out of the water pump......

[gbhrps]

At my first timing belt change for my 97 OBW (at 100 000 km) the Subie Tech said that a water pump change wasn't normally suggested until the second timing belt change, and every second one after that. I wouldn't think that a 99 would be any different. My present 07 OBW has the timing belt change extended to 168 000 km. Don't know for sure, but I'm willing to bet that they suggest a water pump change at the same time.

[nipper]

Change the water pump with the timing belt at 105K. Your pump has a lot of life left in it.

 

For a 60K interval, thats every other timing belt you replace the pump.

 

The pump may be done at 105K, but it wont make it to 210K (yes someone out there alwyas has one with a gazillion miles on it).

 

Even subaru suggests it.

 

 

nipper

[idosubaru]

the 1999 is a 105,000 mile replacement belt. your best bet is to plan an inspection and water pump replacement at 150,000 miles and leave the one that's in there now.

 

if you install a new belt you're next timing belt replacement is around 175,000 miles. on interference engines it's not a good idea to "expect" a water pump to last past 150,000. they easily can but since this is an interference engine any timing belt damage can potentially ruin your motor. and being driven by the timing belt it's possible that a failed water pump can take out your timing belt and the engine with it.

 

completely ignoring your belt i would still recommend an inspection at 150,000 miles of the timing belt pulleys.

These days, a timing belt can outlast the idlers,tensioners and pulleys, so you need to inspect the other components, as well as the belt.

you want to check all of the pulleys too and make sure they are all free spinning and not noisey...which they get over time as they loose grease. replace any noisey ones. if it were me i'd probably just replace the timing belt early...install a new belt and water pump around 150,000 miles. they're only $60.

 

for something that's relatively easy/inexpensive to address on such a reliable motor, it's worth doing it right.