Automobile Scheduled Maintenance Question

[Teh Smith]

I have a Hyundai Santa Fe that has about 60,000 miles on it. It's time for a new timing belt. When my wife discussed this with our mechanic, he advised her to replace the water pump and thermostat at the same time—even though there's nothing wrong with them—because they would be accessible. His reasoning is that they will probably fail in the not-too-distant future, and when they do, it's 2-3 hours of labor to access and replace them. In short, he feels we'll save on labor costs in the long run.

My question: Is what my mechanic recommending standard practice?

Thanks

[rob2001]

He may have a point but I don't think it's standard practice to suggest replacing something that isn't broken. I mean, that power steering pump, alternator, fuel pump could blow any time, might as well change those out too!

Then again, maybe he knows something I don't. Maybe water pump failures are common on that car and he is genuinely suggesting something good. Maybe do some research on the car as far as reliability.

[billywade]

I don't drive a Hyundai (acura myself) but have also been told that it is common to replace the water pump along with the timing belt. I know from personal experience that any time you go for a radiator flush or replace the water pump it's best to replace the thermostat. Those thermostats must be easily damaged/fragile.

[drjojo42]

i myself change a lot of things before they break and im on the side of the road.belts, hoses,tires before they hit the wear marks ect.so if it were me id do it while its there in the shop.If your tight for cash just let it roll.

[Hacksaw]

I would leave it alone if its under warranty (Do the belt though!). At 120,000 miles, when warranty is out and another timing belt change is needed then do it.

The recommendation is normal for a car that's not under warranty but with usually more miles.

[brett s]

It's pretty common practice to change the water pump when doing a timing belt - the part is cheap (compared to the labor of changing it later) & there's no extra labor involved since it needs to come off anyways.

That being said, if it's still under warranty until 100k I'd leave it be.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Yeah, what Rik said. :drink

[It's Time!]

From what I understand, Hyundai is notorious for wanting to repair things when they don't need it.

Get a second and third opinion. It won't take you much time.

[fretless]

The water pump has about the same life span as the timing belt. By all means replace it!!! If you are doing the pump you really need to do the thermostat. Bottom line - it's basically free labor. The water pump drives the t.belt, so accessing it is "free" when you do the belt job. I would find it HIGHLY unlikely a seized pump would be covered under warranty as it is likely part of the scheduled maintenance (you might want to check the fine print...it's probably implied that you, the customer do prudent suggested repairs that would prevent a claim).

[Baloney]

Have it replaced. When you talk with your tech tell him you will go for the new pump and thermostat if he doesnt sell the parts to you at "list" price. Here is a dirty little secret most people dont know about shops. If you bought the pump at autozone yourself you pay there price. This part also has a "list" price that is much higher. EVery shop I have ever worked in and know of charges their customers the list price for the parts. Its a mark up they do to increase profits. This is why most car shops recommend more parts than needed "while in there".. They will make a money off the new pump and thermostat even if they dont charge for labor...

Have the pump changed because even though it may be under warranty when it blows you will still have the inconvenience of the car being in the shop again.

[Ryan]

Have it replaced. When you talk with your tech tell him you will go for the new pump and thermostat if he doesnt sell the parts to you at "list" price. Here is a dirty little secret most people dont know about shops. If you bought the pump at autozone yourself you pay there price. This part also has a "list" price that is much higher. EVery shop I have ever worked in and know of charges their customers the list price for the parts. Its a mark up they do to increase profits. This is why most car shops recommend more parts than needed "while in there".. They will make a money off the new pump and thermostat even if they dont charge for labor...

Have the pump changed because even though it may be under warranty when it blows you will still have the inconvenience of the car being in the shop again.


You make it sound like marking parts up is an illegitimate business practice. Let me frame it in a different light for you:

Shops have to turn a profit to stay in business. You could eat cheaper if you cooked for yourself than if you went out and ate, but you eat out for the service and convenience. Saves you time, hassle, maybe doing it wrong and burning the food and having to start over. Same principle applies with shops. If a person brings their car into my shop it is because he or she does not know how to work on the car. We do. As for this particular issue, yes, it is better to replace the waterpump and t-stat when doing a timing belt. We don't say that just to make more money, we say it because it can SAVE the CUSTOMER money. Here's a scenario that has played out in the past: Customer X brings car in for timing belt. We recommend waterpump and t-stat, the usual; as those are also wear items. Customer declines. Customer is back in two months, needing a waterpump because it seized up. Well...yeah, big suprise, it should have been replaced along with the timing belt. Now customer X is out TWICE as much money on labor and parts because he didn't do it right the first time.

Make sense?

[Guitar55]

This is standard practice. You might want to check to see if your warranty covers replacement of either, if so wait as long as possible, then do them together.

[Doodad]

This is very normal frankly. Just did it on my daughter's car. The pump will fail eventually so might as well save some costs now if you can swing it.

Be glad you don't have an LT-1 Camaro with the water pump behind the distributor (which is very moisture sensitive)

[tennisplayer]

It's pretty common practice to change the water pump when doing a timing belt - the part is cheap (compared to the labor of changing it later) & there's no extra labor involved since it needs to come off anyways.

That being said, if it's still under warranty until 100k I'd leave it be.

This. You have to remove the waterpump to change the belt. However it's usually suggested at 100K not 60K

[HoboMan]

Standard practice.

[RCM78]

Have it replaced. When you talk with your tech tell him you will go for the new pump and thermostat if he doesnt sell the parts to you at "list" price. Here is a dirty little secret most people dont know about shops. If you bought the pump at autozone yourself you pay there price. This part also has a "list" price that is much higher. EVery shop I have ever worked in and know of charges their customers the list price for the parts. Its a mark up they do to increase profits. This is why most car shops recommend more parts than needed "while in there".. They will make a money off the new pump and thermostat even if they dont charge for labor...

Have the pump changed because even though it may be under warranty when it blows you will still have the inconvenience of the car being in the shop again.

God forbid the mechanic actually make a profit... BTW, it's not a dirty little secret, it's common practice. Most reputable shops will not buy from autozone either. They will buy from Napa, or Associated, or the like, They get a better price and in some cases can sell the part to the customer for the same price as an inferior part from autozone.

[Jon C]

absolutely change timing belt, water pump, as well as rollers &c. if your car has them as a replacement item ... save paying redundant labor, they're all wear parts, it's SOP to do them together. I do it that way whether I pay to have it done or DIY.

[dougk]

The reason you replace the water pump while your there is two fold:

1. Your there, why pay the labor twice for at the most a 150 dollar part?
2. If the pump fails it often takes the timing belt with it resulting in valve-to-piston contact.

Its not like a SBC, where the water pump is driven by the fan belt. Most OHC motors made in the last 20 years have the water pumps are driven by the timing belt.

He's not trying to screw you, trust me. I wouldn't do a timing belt for anyone with OUT doing the water pump too.

[SLBlues]

In addition to getting the pump and t-stat replaced as suggested, I would suggest only using factory parts. There are many sources of aftermarket replacement parts and parts is not always parts. Especially water pumps and t-stats.

[Teh Smith]

Thanks for all the responses. I'll take the advice to heart.

[tedm]

Not sure about Hundai and Napa, but for our cars, I like the branded OEM parts, from Japan for our Subaru. None of the reputable dealers I go to, or 3rd party shops mind at all. Many are enthusiasts and excited to see an original part from Japan, and not a Napa generic part.

To the OP - yes, it is common to change the water pump and t-stat with new timing belt. If your dealer balks at you bringing in the proper water pump yourself, but paying them labor for install, I'd find a new dealer.

BTW, for a newer car, 60K is not very long for a several hundred dollar new belt. Even '90s Toyotas went 90K.

Wonder if there are other hidden expenses with the Hyundais?


God forbid the mechanic actually make a profit... BTW, it's not a dirty little secret, it's common practice. Most reputable shops will not buy from autozone either. They will buy from Napa, or Associated, or the like, They get a better price and in some cases can sell the part to the customer for the same price as an inferior part from autozone.

[2 Loud 4 You]

We suggest replacement of the water pump as well as pulleys with the timing belt. RARELY is the thermostat in the same area as the timing belt so that would not be replaced under normal circumstances. We also DO NOT charge list price for parts unless it's dealer parts because we only get 10%-20% off list. Many customers want the cheapest route possible so they typically only go for the water pump and timing belt. Case in point, I just an Acura 3.2TL in last week with a broken tensioner which allowed the belt to slip off and bent the valves. We did the timing belt last year, now the engine is trash.

Hey, it's only YOUR engine, do as you see fit.