Is it still the generally accepted wisdom to changeout the waterpump when you do a timing belt? 2002 Forester sohc.

 

And why are there 4 cam seals in this kit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360325256177

 

I never did cam seals before. They never seemed damp.

Thanks

 

MP 97 legato 99 forester 08 forester

It depends on if you trust the water pump to make it to 210k miles. I don't think I've never seen one go that far, subaru or not.

The Ebay kit just has a generic picture.

I would think the water pump can make it till the next belt change. I would say do the cam seals now, though, since they will leak before anything else fails. The crank seal is optional, i think it can ride to at least 150,000 miles

 

Typically, i see failed water pumps go at just over the 200,000 mile mark, which will ruin the timing belt, the original one. Yes, the original timing belt and water pump CAN go 200,000 miles

 

But, you can do it now, if you chose, based on how much $$$ you want to spend for parts at this moment.

Aftermarket waterpump is like what $40-50 why gamble?

Typically, i see failed water pumps go at just over the 200,000 mile mark, which will ruin the timing belt, the original one. Yes, the original timing belt and water pump CAN go 200,000 miles

 

this does not surprise me. but i have seen the toothed idler go at 150k. i don't know if it was original or a replacement, but i know the ''timing belt'' was done before the idler gave up and bent the valves.

 

i also had a water pump replaced at 98k because water was dripping out of the t-belt cover. it was time for the belt any way.

Aftermarket waterpump is like what $40-50 why gamble?

 

IIR at some point the SOHC WP's get kinda pricey.

 

Infact I didn't replace it on the old GF's car at 100k when I replaced everything else on her 2006 Impreza. Also the mechanics at th elocal dealership said the new ones hold up better than the old ones.

The thing about it is the hassle of going back in doing it say like 5-10K miles later down the road.. I checked rockauto and a pump for my motor is around $40 or so.. that's not really expensive to me given how long they should last for.

Is it still the generally accepted wisdom to changeout the waterpump when you do a timing belt? 2002 Forester sohc.

 

2002 Forester sohc says it all. It's an interference engine and if the pump fails and takes out the timing belt, you'll have a very expensive repair. IMHO If you're doing the timing belt service at 105K, adding a new water pump is a pretty smart move.

It appears the consensus is "yes, change the water pump". Thank you.

I will do that.

The Subaru water pump is run off the back (non-toothed side) of the timing belt. The idea is if the water pump seizes up that engine will not instantly loose time. Hopefully, the driver notices the rising temp gauge and has the engine serviced before it overheats or the seized water pump wears through the timing belt. Anyway, that's the theory. Is it all pie in the sky? Or, is running the water pump off the back of the timing belt something that has actually saved an engine? I have read plenty of posts on this board where a seized Subaru water pump has trashed the valves. So if it works, it sure doesn't work all of the time.

here's some suggestions:

 

if you're replacing everything now, do the water pump too. you're done until the next 105,000.

 

if you're leaving one or more original pulleys plan a 50,000 mile inspection and replace the pump then (and you can check any seals out then too).

 

if you're doing the work yourself pulling the timing belt is easy enough to make an inspection not a big deal.

 

EJ water pumps don't fail very often, but it happens.

I had a water pump seize up at 92k and shred the timing belt. Fortunately it was a non-interference engine. But yours is not. Water pump is a lot cheaper than being towed, then paying for a valve job and all the associated gaskets, etc.

I would change it. heck if you look at it in that respect, the water pump is cheaper than JUST the tow to the shop that still has yet to ream you for bent valve replacement. I won't do a timing belt without idlers and water pump.

And not to say there's a convenient time for that to happen... but it happened to me 4 hours from home. Which just added insult to injury. After that experience I learned about this thing called preventative maintenance. It's a good thing to participate in!