2GN.ORG

Heres a good ? I suppose, should I fix something thas not broken yet, being that I've a shop do the UDP and timing belt this Fri. I have an 03R/T w/ about 88k on it, my last one failed in my old 00 SE around the same time, the temp gauge, it sits just a lil bit over first line so I've being keeping my eye on it seeing if that shit will shoot up or something one day like my other one.

Change the pump while you are changing the belt, also cam and crank seals, and tensioner.... it is so hard to get into there, so once you are in get all fixed...

you are very close to the recomonded change interval which is 100,000

my water pump died suddenly at 88,000

good luck

There's nothing to go wrong with a water pump other than the bearing and the seal. Unless it's squealing like an SOB or leaking there's no need to change it. Centrifugal pumps are so reliable it's silly.

Just make sure you check for bearing play, abnormal noise, or leaks. As long as those aren't present you're fine.

Usually form what I've seen is the water pump develops some seepage about the time the belt is due. Prolly not a sure thing, but that's mine and others experience. Like Latief said, if your there...
unless you enjoy going through the work to get to those components, then by all means, replace them as they go. but to me the WP bearing is like rolling the dice. If it wasn't driven by the timing belt, it wouldn't be a big concern.

occasional demons wrote:Usually form what I've seen is the water pump develops some seepage about the time the belt is due. Prolly not a sure thing, but that's mine and others experience. Like Latief said, if your there...
unless you enjoy going through the work to get to those components, then by all means, replace them as they go. but to me the WP bearing is like rolling the dice. If it wasn't driven by the timing belt, it wouldn't be a big concern.

Mine started shooting antifreeze out of the timing belt cover overnight, no warnings. the mechanic told me the pump pratcially ate itself-up.... 88,000 miles.

definatley change it while you are in there , why risk it? and that applies to the tensioner too............

Yes, definitely replace the water pump while you have it that far apart.

I had my timing belt replaced about ~8000 miles before it was due. The water pump had developed seepage and did not rotate as smoothly as the new one.

Other parts that were replaced while mine was apart:

-water pump
-timing belt
-crank seal
-cam seal
-hydraulic tensioner
-PS/AC tensioner
-upper torque strut (engine mount)

I did not do the work myself and purchased only MOPAR parts, so it was expensive but I now have peace of mind with respect to this issue... and expect by the time it rolls around in the maintenance schedule again I won't have the Neon.

Personally, I'd have em' change or at least check anything that's coming off or that they'll have access to when they do the UDP if you have the funds for em' to do it.. Better safe then sorry and as long as they're in there that'll save you on labor costs at a later date.