Originally posted by 2000Prelude
I know they say to replace timing belt and water pump and stuff at 105K. My tnsioner went bad at 54K and had to get timing belt and tensioner replaced. My car was under extended warranty and so this cost me $50. The dealer tried to get me to get water pump replaced at same time for an additional $500. I refused because i said the timing belt was an early failure. He asked me what I was going to do if the water pump started to leak. I told him if that happens before 100K, Honda would have to pay to take the engine apart again. Was I right in telling him this?? I understand now that the Honda water pump is internal, I was basing most of my experience on American cars that have external water pumps, that I have never had a problem with. How do you know if your water pump is going bad with a Honda?? Does this happen often?? Who has had theirs replaced before 100K and why did you get it replaced. I'm starting to get a little paranoid now wondering about this.
When you had the belts done, you should have insisted they change the water pump as well for just the cost of the pump itself (about 80.00), because they only need to take 4 bolts and a gasket out to get the pump out (they were already in there). I don't think I know what happens when the pump goes, since it's always (99.995% of the time) changed when you do the belts. I don't know anyone with a Honda who had their water pumps leak or go bad. Even if the car has 200,000 miles on it, the pump has been changed twice with the belts.