Timing Belt Broken...

[VCrossfan]

Phew, thanks guys, I like that answer! And I like the logical way Mark supports it. Gives me some more time to procrastinate and get it done a little later $$. I'm at 68,500 now, so I need to start thinking about it.....I think

I know every part wears different based on usage, age, climate etc. But I replaced mine at around 90k Kat and the OEM Belt looked great. My VX came from Pennsylvania and has been in the Illinois climate for 6 years now. I replaced in 2005 I think, got 160k now and running great..

[circmand]

http://www.nofuture.com/myvx/how-tos/tb/tbelt.htm

I am about to have my timing belt changed. Wisdom states do th ewater pump now as it is cheaper than having to do it later. Now is this just a safety decision and still the suggested advice. And if the water pump is prone to failure is an OEM water pump the way to go and if so why?


Thanks

[MSHardeman]

I just did my own timing belt (per Bart's very excellent instructions) and even though I wasn't having a problem with my water pump, I replaced it while I was in there anyway. After seeing how hard it was just to get to the dang thing I REALLY didn't want to have to go back in there until it's time to change the timing belt again in another 90k-100k miles. The cost to replace the water pump at a later date would probably be about the same as just changing the timing belt because you have to remove almost everything you would to do the belt just to get at the water pump. I would suggest doing it now to avoid the headache (and wallet ache) later.

I went with an Isuzu stock water pump because I figured if it lasted me almost 100k miles the first time then it must be good stuff. That's just me, though, and I'm sure others have used after market pumps with no problems.