Thinking of buying a 2002 sc with 90m miles.The dealer just replaced the timing belt but did not do the water pump. This seems strange since I thought when they do the timing belt they aultomaticaly do the water pump. Now what would it cost to have the water pump redone Thanks Jimbo

 

Unfortunately, the same amount as the timing belt, except minus the cost of the timing belt but you need to add the cost of the water pump... :-(

If you go this route make sure they change the tensioner, tensioner pulley etc. because these are all failure parts.

It amazes me how these guys just cheap out and quality and service do not apply!

Here is the kit you want...and yes, I would just replace the belt again because who knows what cheap brand they installed.

 

If that is the car you want. Tell them you'll buy it but only if they change the water pump. Just be ready to walk out the door so they know you are serious..car and water pump or no car. Last I saw there were 655 sc 430's on auto trader. You can use that bargaining chip too. It is winter! There are more than usual even here in Houston since its winter. They just don't sell as quickly. Inventories here are double what they were all summer.

 

I asked my dealer about the water pump when the timing belt was replaced and he said that the water pump is not a scheduled maintenance item. They inspect and report back to the owner while doing the TB. If the antifreeze flushes were performed and the car had never overheated, then they said the WP could wait. My '02 SC430 had 84k miles when the TB was replaced and the WP was still fine at 108K miles when I sold it. Similar experience on my '05 RX330. Replaced TB at 64k miles and WP is still fine at 103k miles. May the WP odds be forever in my favor

 

Poqman, here is another way of looking at the WP change...at 90k miles you change the belt but not the WP, what are the odds the WP is going to make it to 180k miles?
It might, but for an extra $100, is it worth it?

 

Verbatim BGW, that is what I was thinking.

Plus one time of the engine getting to hot can cause problems you may not see for months. The blown head gasket 5,000 miles later because of the slight warping of the head. The crack in the piston skirt that breaks off later. I can go on and on with things I have personally seen happen from an over heated engine. From the ones who continued to drive it while over heating, and cause other major issues immediately. To the ones who that half mile to the exit I can go. Then sometimes issues that you don't end up finding till later. If the car does ever start to over heat stop immediately!