Water pump and belts

[JimX]

I've done a search on water pumps, and it seems that at the 100k km service it's a good time to change the water pump. I'm just thinking though, why not just wait until it starts leaking? That is the normal sign that the pump has worn out and needs to be replaced. It should be good for a few hundred km after that so you shouldn't have to worry about being stranded anywhere, once you realise that it's leaking then just top up the radiator and replace the pump at the next opportunity.

Is there any downside to this? I had a leaking water pump on my Commodore which I noticed after it started leaking but I drove it several hundred km before I got it fixed under warranty.

Also, when my alternator belt broke on the Commodore, I noticed afterwards that it looked very worn out, and was all cracked and missing about half its teeth! If a belt "looks" ok, I'm thinking that it shouldn't need to be changed. (incidentally, it broke when trying to jump-start another car. The extra strain on the electrical system did it)

I ask all this obviously because my car is coming up to the 100k mark, and I don't want to go overboard replacing things that I don't have to at this stage. For all I know some of them could have been replaced along with the timing belt a couple of thousand km before I bought the car. For example, the Commodore's alternator belt had done about 80000km, and the Skyline's belts look a lot better than it did despite having more km on it. I'm pretty sure they've been changed at some point previously.

[Darker]

Wish I had the luxury of chosing to replace my water pump. It went just after 100k, and went quickly. I lost about half my coolant on the way to the mechanic, which apparently can happen (I always thought they leaked slow)

So if its working, dont worry about it, but when it stops, get it done ASAP.

My 2c

[JimX]

Ok, I'm thinking I'll just do the pump and thermostat at 100k then. Apparently VL Commodores use the same pump? Would they be any cheaper from a Holden dealer than a Nissan?

[Brody]

My bearings seized and smashed into my radiator. Took out all belts, radiator, balancer and a few other things i can't remember,

It went round 90k, and the belts were changed by another owner at 70 or so. If he had of paid another $114, i wouldn't have spent 1500. Though at least im running with a brand new gtr radiator now

[Darker]

Would they be any cheaper from a Holden dealer than a Nissan?

Normally nissan arent too bad with import part prices. Cant hurt to look at both, always pays to shop around as they say

[blind_elk]

Probable reason for replacing the water pump at 100k is that you need to remove it to do the cambelt at 100k.

[JimX]

Timing belt's already been done. But I think I will get the pump changed and the bearings checked and replaced if needed, after Brody's story

[T0nyGTSt]

How much is a water pump?

T.

[Brody]

mine was $114 from nissan

[CMS Drifter]

mine was $114 from nissan

part number 21010-21U26 water pump

[JimX]

$124.30 from Hunter Holden for a VL pump. Didn't bother confirming the part number because it wasn't any cheaper

[JimX]

$80 for an aftermarket VL pump from Repco. That's retail, I should be able to get it at trade price somehow.