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Old 02-27-2012, 04:18 PM   #1
jellopower
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Default Is a water pump failure catostrophic?

2006 WRX, with 50k miles.

Here's the deal. I have a leak and the mechanic says it's a front seal leak. So he's going to replace a bunch of seals while he's in there. He also suggests a timing belt an idler, since he's already that far in.

He also said he could do the water pump, but doesn't really recommend it due to the relatively low mileage.

The price is about $400 for the seals, idler, timing belt, or $800 for all that, plus water pump and tensioner.

I'm thinking I can skip the water pump, and get the belt, seals, tensioner, idler and be safe, but I wanted to make sure that a water pump failure isn't catastrophic like a tming belt failure is. I'll likely get some warning, right?

The reason I ask is because if I get all the other stuff done, I'm not planning on replacing the water pump at 90k miles. I'd just wait until it started leaking or showing signs of failure.

Any thoughts?
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Old 02-27-2012, 05:02 PM   #2
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I would skip the water pump at those miles...
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Old 02-27-2012, 06:51 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wrxdrvr View Post
I would skip the water pump at those miles...
+1

in fact i probably wouldn't ever do it unless it showed signs of a problem.
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Old 02-27-2012, 06:55 PM   #4
Badler
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Sounds like your mechanics a keeper!
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Old 02-27-2012, 07:54 PM   #5
jamal
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you don't want to wait for it to fail- it can take out the timing belt in the process. I had this happen to me but fortunately it was with a non-interference 2.2. Not fortunately was the 100mi tow from lake tahoe to carson city and $600 repair.
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Old 02-27-2012, 08:10 PM   #6
HinshawWRX
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Timing belt isn't due for 105K miles or XX amount of months. (forget the monthly frame) At 50K I wouldn't do anything but whats broke. Wait until the 105K area to change the belt an tensioners.

Also no reason for the mechanic to charge 400 more for a water pump if he's replacing all the other listed parts.

And to answer the question, a water pump failure can be catastrophic if you let the motor overheat.
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Old 02-27-2012, 08:24 PM   #7
1shot1kill
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He's Lready in there. Might as well just replace it.
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Old 02-27-2012, 08:54 PM   #8
wrxdrvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1shot1kill View Post
He's Lready in there. Might as well just replace it.
Ba, Humbug... 50K... My water pump hasn't been replaced in my '02 WRX yet, 356,000Kms/222,500Miles...
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Old 02-27-2012, 09:20 PM   #9
CosmoTheCat
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vicious_fishes View Post
+1

in fact i probably wouldn't ever do it unless it showed signs of a problem.
Shhhhhh. You shouldn't say things like that around here, the natives think they drive 1980's Chrysler products that require water pumps every time you add oil.
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Old 02-27-2012, 09:54 PM   #10
OC_Nooby
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Like everyone mentioned, don't bother with the water pump. Mileage is low
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Old 02-27-2012, 10:41 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmoTheCat View Post
Shhhhhh. You shouldn't say things like that around here, the natives think they drive 1980's Chrysler products that require water pumps every time you add oil.
the dealerships/workshops reinforce this because they'll make money installing it and selling it to you for more than it cost them.
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Old 02-28-2012, 12:29 AM   #12
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I skipped mine at 67K..... when i had to redo a timing belt.. (long story). No problems since.
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Old 02-28-2012, 12:29 AM   #13
DHRDAN
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Badler View Post
Sounds like your mechanics a keeper!
word.
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Old 07-27-2012, 09:28 AM   #14
That_Jon_Guy
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I know I'm a little late to the party here, but you can definitely skip the water pump at your mileage.
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Old 07-27-2012, 12:43 PM   #15
StealthTL
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The water pump can be a calculated decision, up to you, but the belt will defo need replacement after a oil seal leak - don't try and clean it up....
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Old 07-27-2012, 01:02 PM   #16
dangerousatom
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I must agree with the others the water pump is not needed until its failing or you get one at a super deal and are going to do it at the timing belt and accessory replacement stage. The Suby water pumps are long term parts from what I have seen, well over 100k unless they just up and fail. You could put in a new pump in and it could fail the next week, but its super rare for the pump to go.
Also if your mechaninc is doing all the timing stuff now dont replace the stuff at 105k do it at 150+k
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Old 07-30-2012, 02:29 PM   #17
subi400
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dangerousatom View Post
I must agree with the others the water pump is not needed until its failing or you get one at a super deal and are going to do it at the timing belt and accessory replacement stage. The Suby water pumps are long term parts from what I have seen, well over 100k unless they just up and fail. You could put in a new pump in and it could fail the next week, but its super rare for the pump to go.
Also if your mechaninc is doing all the timing stuff now dont replace the stuff at 105k do it at 150+k

So, the correct advice would be to replace the 4 timing belt pulleys again at around 100k since it is getting done at 50k now. We need to think about "smart" maintenance not some thing about look how long I went on the timing components... If the timing belt pulleys are good up until you do change them, then the belt should be good for at least 100k miles unless there is contamination from outside debris, water and an oil leak stuff like that. Timing belt components are cheap compared to an engine so be smart and do the pulleys sooner

Part of the problem is people not searching around to get parts a whole lot cheaper compared to the dealer... The water pump can cause a huge problem if lets go and you don't catch it fast enough. However, part of the problem that people run into is letting their coolant go for too long. We have to remember that the coolant is water lubricates the seals of the water pump and if the coolant has been in there too long then the seals of the water pump will suffer.

So to the OP, if the pump looks good and there is like no play, then don't replace it, but I would replace it at around 100k along with the 4 pulleys again but leave the belt until around the 150k mile mark.

Last edited by subi400; 07-30-2012 at 02:37 PM.
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Old 07-30-2012, 02:55 PM   #18
Mulder
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Default

Thread is 5 months old, I think it's been done already-
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