Water Pump

[gardengirl]

Hi, I am new to this forum and I have a question about water pumps. My coolant is leaking and I was told I need a new water pump, and that it would cost me in total about $300.00, is that reasonable? I have shopped around and the quote I have on the pump itself is $120.00 and the rest is for labour at this particular "Rad shop" Is this fair, is it a job that is difficult to do? I have a friend who is very able to do it, however, is it smarter to get it done at the shop? Oh yeah, I have a 94 Mazda MX3, 1.6l standard transmission. Thanks.

[pseudomarine]

I'm a non-expert...

I had my water pump replaced last year. the part wasn't too expensive (maybe £50-60? UK), and it's not a particularly difficult task, but it's about a 4-hour job because the water pump is at the bottom of the engine. So you end up paying for the labo(u)r.

Oh, and if you get it replaced, it may be worth getting the timing belt replaced, too, just because it's in the same kind of area.

the guys here will give you all the info you want, so stick around

good luck

[LooseChangeRacing]

Actually just did my own water pump, here is a definite on things you should buy.

Water Pump - $30 - $64 (Advanced Auto) (You can either get at store or order online)
Water Pump Gasket - $1.08 to 2.60 (Same place)
Antifreeze - What $8 a gallon?
Timing Belt - $22 - $52 (Make sure to check your engine for compatability) (Have the clerk just find the right one, they are usually smart enough for that lol)

Timing Cover Gasket (Advanced auto doesn't carry these) I had to goto a local car auto store and get one, ran me $25.

Total cost - Est$90-$150

First things first, flush the radiater, the drain whole is on the bottom left of the radiater, it takes a flat head screwdriver to remove, use a hose and get as much GUNK as you can out of there.

Now, it's really not that hard to do, take your time and heres what you'll end up taking off in a nutshell, Take off all belts, take off all hoses that run to the waterpump and from the waterpump (2 I believe) take off the timing cover, there is some plastic at the bottom of the car you can remove to reach up in there and get the stubbern bolts. NOW, if your friend knows anything, make sure that he is making 2 marks BEFORE the timing belt is removed or moved, this will make sure that when put back on your timing will not be all screwy, anyway, use the pully tensioner to loosen the timing belt, take the timing belt, should be 3 or 4 bolts for the waterpump, take the water pump out, replace all gaskets now, HINT(get some gasket maker, little bit goes a long way and definitly will make a tighter seal), put everything back together.

NOW having the right tools will make this a 4 hour job, it took me 5 with the right tools, but i'm far from a mechanic, you really shouldn't need air tools for this, but they could always come in handy, get a large range of socket's you'll need deep wells and normal, extensions and whatnot. Take your time and from start to finish, depending on how much care you take it will be a 4 - 6 hour process. Try to make the seals as tight as possible, 1 leak and you might just have to tear everything back apart, thats why before you even worry about putting the timing cover back on and putting all the plastic and your front right wheel back on, turn the engine over let it warm up and whatnot and watch for leaks.

Let me know if you need any help.

[BuGS]

If your friend is able use him. You could do a lot with a little if you supply the labor