1995 Astra: water pump noise

DavidHayton

My 1995 astra is making a dreadful noise. A mechanic has diagnosed it as the bearings on the water pump.

Two questions:
(1) how much should it cost to fit a new water pump (parts+labour)
(2) should I get the cam belt changed at the same time? Present cam belt is 3 years old.

Thanks
David

vikingaero

How many miles have you covered since the last cambelt change? I think the broad consensus on most Vauxhall petrol engines is 60k, but 40k has been used because the Vauxhall plastic tensioners were so crappy. If the car is a keeper it will be worth doing.

mikey72

DavidHayton wrote: »

My 1995 astra is making a dreadful noise. A mechanic has diagnosed it as the bearings on the water pump.

Two questions:
(1) how much should it cost to fit a new water pump (parts+labour)
(2) should I get the cam belt changed at the same time? Present cam belt is 3 years old.

Thanks
David

They have to take off the belt to fit the pump, so yes.

Don't re-use old belts.
Put a full belt kit on at that age.

If your Astra has the thermostat behind the belt as well, it's worth changing that at the same time.
Worth doing soon as well.

Hammyman

DavidHayton wrote: »

My 1995 astra is making a dreadful noise. A mechanic has diagnosed it as the bearings on the water pump.

Two questions:
(1) how much should it cost to fit a new water pump (parts+labour)
(2) should I get the cam belt changed at the same time? Present cam belt is 3 years old.

Thanks
David

1) Around £30-£40 for the part and no more than an hours labour.
2) Yes if you're planning on keeping it. It'll cost the price of the belt (15-20) but save you an hours labour later on and its always an idea to change the water pump at the same time as the belt so I'd say the reverse is true.

jase1

Hammyman wrote: »

2) Yes if you're planning on keeping it. It'll cost the price of the belt (15-20) but save you an hours labour later on and its always an idea to change the water pump at the same time as the belt so I'd say the reverse is true.

... plus the tensioner kit especially if the engine is 16v.

Kits are about £50-60 in total.

mikey72

Hammyman wrote: »

1) Around £30-£40 for the part and no more than an hours labour.
2) Yes if you're planning on keeping it. It'll cost the price of the belt (15-20) but save you an hours labour later on and its always an idea to change the water pump at the same time as the belt so I'd say the reverse is true.

if you can find a garage who can do it in an hour, I'll use them as well.
Belt kit, never just the belt, always change the tensioners and pulleys, and allow for new antifreeze in the price.

DavidHayton

Thanks for the comments. Job was done at very short notice. Water pump, belt + bits replaced, and antifreeze topped up. £250 inc VAT.

The cam belt was due for renewal this summer. I had been dithering over getting it done, though: the car is coming up 16 years old and there must come a point when it becomes more cost effective to replace it than keep repairing it. I just hope all the expensive bits fail simulataneously!

In the meantime I'll keep the car. I've had it 12 years and it has served me well.

David

mikey72

DavidHayton wrote: »

Thanks for the comments. Job was done at very short notice. Water pump, belt + bits replaced, and antifreeze topped up. £250 inc VAT.

The cam belt was due for renewal this summer. I had been dithering over getting it done, though: the car is coming up 16 years old and there must come a point when it becomes more cost effective to replace it than keep repairing it. I just hope all the expensive bits fail simulataneously!

In the meantime I'll keep the car. I've had it 12 years and it has served me well.

David

That sounds about the going rate.