Technical When to replace the water pump? (2010)

[liav24]

Hi
My 500 is 1.4 from 2010 with 91500km.
I replaced the timing belt when i bought it (second hand) after reaching 68000km (4 years) but did not replaced the water pump because the mechanic said it looked good and wasn't leaking, and it will be a waste to replace it now.

So now i'm just about to enter the dealership for the 90K service (i service it every 10-15k), should i replace it now?
I can't see any leaking beneath the car, no damp or signs but i do know i have to fill the reservoir about 30-50ml coolant every 2-3 months +-.

What do you think?

 

[Eklipze3k]

Generally I would have said to do it with the belt but that window has passed now.
At this stage, if it ain't broke don't fix it is probably the best attitude to have.

 

[jrkitching]

Generally I would have said to do it with the belt but that window has passed now.
At this stage, if it ain't broke don't fix it is probably the best attitude to have.

Depends how lucky you're feeling - if it seizes solid, it'll likely wreck the engine.

If you keep a close eye on coolant levels and replace immediately you see any sign of a worsening leak, you might think that sufficient.

If you do change it now, replace the timing belt again at the same time, then you're good for another 5yrs or so. Labour (or your time) will be a large part of the cost and it'll be much the same to do both as only one.

And next time (or for anyone else reading this)...

 

[ahmett]

Hi
My 500 is 1.4 from 2010 with 91500km.
I replaced the timing belt when i bought it (second hand) after reaching 68000km (4 years) but did not replaced the water pump because the mechanic said it looked good and wasn't leaking, and it will be a waste to replace it now.

So now i'm just about to enter the dealership for the 90K service (i service it every 10-15k), should i replace it now?
I can't see any leaking beneath the car, no damp or signs but i do know i have to fill the reservoir about 30-50ml coolant every 2-3 months +-.

What do you think?

dont worry about coolant leaking slowly in hot climates, it has done that on my car since new. it happens more when the ac is used a lot and the fan is used in hot climates.
Since you changed the timing belt in 2014, i would wait until 2018 to change both the timing belt + the water pump. i do mine every 4 years and change both, so mine was in 2013 as i was already at 75,000kms by then, so i will do it in 2017 as i drive slightly less than i used to. i get mine changed at bosch service centers.

of course keep an eye out for any water leaks below the engine when servicing it normally, if you see any change it immediately. if there is no leak wait until 2018.

haha its funny, you and i basically have the same car, a 2010 Dualogic 1.4! I have 121,000 kms though.

 

[ahmett]

Depends how lucky you're feeling - if it seizes solid, it'll likely wreck the engine.

If you keep a close eye on coolant levels and replace immediately you see any sign of a worsening leak, you might think that sufficient.

If you do change it now, replace the timing belt again at the same time, then you're good for another 5yrs or so. Labour (or your time) will be a large part of the cost and it'll be much the same to do both as only one.

And next time (or for anyone else reading this)...

i think for intensive use jrkitching, Fiat recommend to change the timing belt every 4 years.

Yes confirm just checked the manual, for intensive use change every 4 years regardless of mileage.
and yes i didnt get charged extra labor for changing water pump as well, and the part cost about 25-50 euros depending on which one you get!

 

[jrkitching]

i think for intensive use jrkitching, Fiat recommend to change the timing belt every 4 years.

Yes confirm just checked the manual, for intensive use change every 4 years regardless of mileage.
and yes i didnt get charged extra labor for changing water pump as well, and the part cost about 25-50 euros depending on which one you get!

For intensive use, you might consider changing it more often than that.

At least one chap who sometimes used a 1.4 as a trackday car changed it every year.

 

[ahmett]

For intensive use, you might consider changing it more often than that.

At least one chap who sometimes used a 1.4 as a trackday car changed it every year.

I'm happy with 4 years. I rev it very much and when i changed it after 3 years/75,000kms the belt looked in very good condition and the water pump brand new.

The Aux belt on the other hand, looked proper knackered. I had known this as it was making a lot of noise on start up!

So far so good on this one, maybe the Bosch Aux belt is better than the Fiat one?

 

[liav24]

Thanks guys,
I guess i'll change the pump without the timing belt - the car is going to stay with me for few more months..don't wanna spend more than what i have to

 

[rick500]

i agree change every time you change the timing belt as together there cheap and as the belt is off when changeing it would be mad not to change the water pump even if it looks good

 

[ahmett]

Thanks guys,
I guess i'll change the pump without the timing belt - the car is going to stay with me for few more months..don't wanna spend more than what i have to

whats the point of changing the pump if nothing is wrong with it?

 

[John202020]

Concensus of opinion seems to be change both if you've got it apart that much and given the quality of some of Fiat parts may be a good idea, that said I too feel why replace something that may well last year's my old Accord was 17 when it went, lots of cam belts but original water pump.

 

[frupi]

Me, personally and from experience, I'd change the water pump at every cambelt/tensioner change.

As an example, a 1.9 Fiat diesel engine is used in several marques of vehicle, including my own Saab 9-3 whereby those of us who have had plenty of experience with this engine, know that to not change the waterpump at between 40 and 50k miles, is pure folly as they have been known to fail prematurely. This is despite the fact that the book recommendation can be anything between 72k and 90k miles dependent on the vehicle marque or as stated in my own manual 10 years! I change mine at 40k or anytime between 4 and 5 years. The only saviour if you can call it that, is that this particular engine isn't an 'inteference' engine, the rocker arms are designed to snap to prevent catastrophic engine failure if the belt breaks due to waterpump seizure.

So if you're due for a cambelt/tensioner change, get that waterpump changed at the same time. I've had two close neighbours in the last 12 months who have both wrecked their engines due to not changing either the cambelt or the waterpump at the recommended interval.