The first post in this section mentions that the garage quoting him for doing the timing belt change recommended the water pump too. Whilst I would strongly support the fitting of a new pump where the pump is in the timing belt drive train because if it fails the consequences can be dire (and I believe the pump bearings will be under considerably more stress as part of the timing belt system compared to one driven otherwise - for instance by a multi V aux belt). So this set me to thinking.
In my younger days, when I earned my living on the
shop floor, pretty much all water pumps were driven by the "fan" belt. Most of the everyday "bodsmobiles" in those days were over head valve engines with push rod operated valves - A and B series BMC, Ford Kent series, Rootes group with the Avenger and Hunter, etc, etc. The timing chains were short and seemed to last well but when they did need to be renewed you wouldn't dream of doing the water pump too unless it was noisy or leaking. Then along came these more modern engines with pumps driven by the timing belt and we all got used to changing the pump almost regardless of it's condition (I'm not saying this is wrong, but it has got us mentally conditioned into thinking the water pump will need doing whenever a timing belt gets changed?). Only a few of the pumps, of this type, which I've changed have shown signs of "distress" and would probably have continued in service for quite some time if not changed. However if they would have lasted the whole life of the new belt being fitted is quite another question. So I'll repeat that I think pumps in applications such as these do need to be changed regardless of their apparent condition at the time of the belt being renewed.
Then it occurred to me that my old 1999 Cordoba 1.9tdi with the VE engine (I really miss that car) - so the water pump was driven by the fan belt - had 3 timing belts renewed during the time I owned it (had it for around 18 years). It was well into the low 100,000,s of miles when I scrapped it and still running on it's original water pump with no signs of leaks. Then there's my son's 2007 Astra 1600 with the VVT engine (XER I think?) It also, unlike many of Vauxhall's offerings, has an aux belt driven pump. It's also just getting into the low 100,000's of miles and had it's 3rd timing belt fitted a few weeks ago when the VVT pulleys succumbed to the dreaded "clacks" and had to be replaced. It too shows no signs of the pump leaking or having worn bearings so it was left alone.
Now with the water pump on my wee 1.0 litre 95 hp EA211 engined
Ibiza being not involved in the timing belt drive train I find myself wondering if it too could be left until it shows early signs of distress as I would have with those older cars? (must have a look at how easy it would be to see a leak) Maybe recent experience (well, recent for me when compared to the old engines of the '60's and early '70s) with the almost automatic changing of water pumps with timing belt renewal, has "brainwashed" many of us - and I include professional mechanics here - into thinking that water pumps normally get changed with timing belts and leaving us feeling "nervous" if we don't?
Mind you my
Ibiza's water pump appears to be an all plastic affair? Now that actually makes me feel insecure in it's own right after having seen the way plastic components warp and change their shape with age and temperature - my boy's Astra has warping problems with it's cam cover for this reason (thank goodness for modern silicon sealants!) On the whole I'm not very keen on plastic engine components! Maybe I should just do the water pump at the same time as the belt anyway?
