Timing Belt Megane

the lawman

I had this changed at 90K and I'm now at 155K so should I get this down pretty sharpish?

Also is there any mechanic known out there that can do this job without having to replace the water pump? Seems everyone I speak to wants to change the pump and that adds a lot of cost.

Thanks

black & white

It it's a 1.5 diesel then it should be changed every 100,000 Kilometres, mine is on 196k and will be done in the next few weeks. Not sure how much you'd actually save by not doing the waterpump at the same time but from what I've been told it's false economy not to do it. Maybe someone will give a better technical explanation than that.

the lawman

black & white wrote: »

It it's a 1.5 diesel then it should be changed every 100,000 Kilometres, mine is on 196k and will be done in the next few weeks. Not sure how much you'd actually save by not doing the waterpump at the same time but from what I've been told it's false economy not to do it. Maybe someone will give a better technical explanation than that.

Its a 1.4 petrol and I'm at the stage should I just drive it until she dies. Not sure putting more cash into it is worth it.

lifer_sean

the lawman wrote: »

Also is there any mechanic known out there that can do this job without having to replace the water pump? Seems everyone I speak to wants to change the pump and that adds a lot of cost.

Thanks

On many cars the water pump is driven off the timing belt. If the bearings in the water pump were to fail (or if any of the timing belt tensioners were to fail), it would have exactly the same effect as the timing belt breaking. These bearings are keeping the belt tight - if they were to collapse the belt would lose tension and slip. If the bearings were to sieze, they would strip the teeth off the timing belt or cause premature wear/failure of the belt.

This is why any reputable mechanic will want to change the water pump for you. It's for your own sake, there is zero extra profit on the additional task for them. The extra labour cost is insignificant, and they will simply charge you the cost of the part.

One would have to query the quality of the work by any mechanic who would skip on changing the water pump in a case like this.

beanie10

I had a timing belt changed recently where i supplied the mechanic with belt, water pump & alternator belt. Is it possible to changed water pump without losing the coolant??
Reason I ask is because the coolant was not changed.

the lawman

lifer_sean wrote: »

On many cars the water pump is driven off the timing belt. If the bearings in the water pump were to fail (or if any of the timing belt tensioners were to fail), it would have exactly the same effect as the timing belt breaking. These bearings are keeping the belt tight - if they were to collapse the belt would lose tension and slip. If the bearings were to sieze, they would strip the teeth off the timing belt or cause premature wear/failure of the belt.

This is why any reputable mechanic will want to change the water pump for you. It's for your own sake, there is zero extra profit on the additional task for them. The extra labour cost is insignificant, and they will simply charge you the cost of the part.

One would have to query the quality of the work by any mechanic who would skip on changing the water pump in a case like this.

Thanks for that. It makes it crystal clear.

GavMan

Think the interval is 72k miles or every 5 years. Which ever comes 1st.

H3llR4iser

the lawman wrote: »

Thanks for that. It makes it crystal clear.

And just for further information, on the 1.4 (K4J) engine on the Megane the pump is indeed driven by the timing belt (silly, but that's it).

Max Headroom

As above, i did mine a couple of weeks ago, the cost of the pump is nothing compared to having to do it all again if the pump goes....its 10 mins labour to change, fluid is drained beforehand and reused, if clean....
The belt kit includes everything needed except a new pump...

Renault say change at 75k......my clio had 76k on it when the belt broke.......OUCH....

Nissan doctor

beanie10 wrote: »

I had a timing belt changed recently where i supplied the mechanic with belt, water pump & alternator belt. Is it possible to changed water pump without losing the coolant??
Reason I ask is because the coolant was not changed.

Its not possible to change the pump without draining the coolant. Obviously if the coolant is in perfect condition(which, by the time a timing belt change is due, it rarely is) it can be collected and re-used.