car experts - water pump replacement

[NewJeffCT]

I know next to nothing about cars & their engines. I know you normally have to replace the timing belt in a car at either 60,000 or 90,000 miles, and at the same time, you get the water pump done at the same time. I know if the timing belt breaks, it is serious trouble.

However, when looking into doing this on my wife's 2002 Toyota Corolla with 78,000 miles on it, I found out that it has a timing chain, which basically doesn't need to be replaced any time soon...

my question is, do I still have to replace the water pump? And, are there consequences similar to the timing belt if the water pump breaks down?

Thanks

[toddzilla]

1. no, the car will overheat..

That's all. when the timing belt/chain breaks the valves may hit the pistons, causing massive damage to the valvetrain, possibly leading to a "dropped valve" and basically ruining the engine. The timing chain is something that does break, but usually much later than 78k miles.


water pumps should last a very long time, and is just replaced as a convenience during a timing belt swap.

[NewJeffCT]

4. thanks

i will wait on the water pump then.

[LiberalSoutherner]

2. Well I'm no expert

but, I had both happen to me. On my Nissan Pulsar, the timing belt broke, and it ruined the engine, I needed to have a new rebuilt engine put in.
Later, on my Pontiac Grand Am, the water pump gave out. The engine overheated, I turned it off, called a tow truck, and only needed the pump replaced. But the pump replacement was expensive, about $750.

[ClintonTyree]

3. If it ain't broke.....................

don't fix it. If you car starts running hot all of the sudden, shut it down, call a tow truck and have it towed somewhere where you or a mechanic can replace the water pump (if indeed, that IS the problem). I'm not familiar with foreign automobiles, but I've changed many water pumps on American mades and it isn't that big of a deal. I've never come across one that was driven by the timing chain or belt. They're usually driven by the radiator fan belt.
Hope this helps.