Meet Kurt, an automotive industry expert with over 13 years of experience. He currently leads the Marketing & Growth team at ClickMechanic, of which he has been an integral part of for the past decade. He has been involved with most parts of the business helping grow the company to new heights, from the creation of the innovative quote engine, and operations, to content and growth marketing automation.

Your vehicle’s make and model, the type of bearings and parts used, labor rates, and where you have it serviced all factor into the cost you’ll pay for a wheel bearing replacement.

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to have your car inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible as replacing a failing water pump can prevent more expensive repairs down the road.

Replace timing beltand water pumpHonda Pilot

Making sure the water pump is in tip-top condition is key to avoiding overheating of the engine, and avoiding potentially expensive repairs. Even the slightest leak in or around the water pump can reduce the ability of the engine to keep itself cool.

Worn-out or damaged wheel bearings cannot be repaired and instead need to be replaced, ideally by a professional mechanic.

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Worried you might overpay for your wheel bearings replacement? Use Jerry’s GarageGuard to get a fair cost estimate for your wheel bearings replacement.

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It is worth noting that most mechanics would not carry out a timing belt replacement without also replacing the water pump at the same time (if the pump is driven off the timing belt). They know the consequences and know it is not worth taking the risk of trying to save by not installing a water pump at the same time.

With his extensive background in car repairs and customer support, Kurt is well-positioned to share his expertise on automotive technical topics. A car aficionado from an early age, his physical journey in the automotive world began with his trusty VW Golf 4, which took him on memorable adventures throughout Europe during his student days.

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Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.

Water pumpbelt

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Andrea Richard is a writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience crafting content for a variety of industries. In writing for Jerry, Andrea’s mission is to deliver relatable and informative content so readers can better understand the costs associated with car ownership and car leasing. A native Floridian and a road trip enthusiast, Andrea first learned to drive on a Honda Accord when CDs were still a thing. She has served on the Society of Professional Journalists Florida board of directors and volunteers as a judge for national journalism contests. Her work has earned several awards for feature writing, investigative reporting and branded content campaigns.

The timing belt is responsible for controlling the functioning of the camshaft and crankshaft, and if it breaks, can cause serious damage. But, when it comes to replacing the timing belt, is it also a good idea to replace the water pump at the same time? This article delves into whether or not to replace the water pump at the same time as the timing belt.

There are two main reasons why, in some cars, the water pump needs replacing at the same time as the timing belt. First of all, as the water pump is on the timing belt circuit there is a real risk that, if the water pump breaks, the timing belt will come off leading to the same catastrophic circumstances as the belt breaking. Secondly, water pumps are prone to seizing up, which consequently will lead to the timing belt breaking.

Simply put, if the water pump is driven via the timing belt (cambelt) it must be replaced at the same time, a water pump failure can be as catastrophic as a timing belt failing on these vehicles.

It is likely the water pump will probably have worn after some years of use anyway, and will need replacing sooner than later. That way you will kill two birds with one stone because the majority of the labour needed to replace the water pump will already have been done when replacing the timing belt.

Should you replacewater pumpwith timing chain

Timing belt replacement cost

It is possible for a failing water pump to cause the timing belt to break, resulting in expensive engine damage. Water pumps are driven by timing belts, so when the pump stops, seizes or the bearing fails, the timing belt may break or come off. It can lead to bent valves, damaged pistons, or even an engine that is completely ruined due to the collision of valves and pistons. A water pump replacement should be performed simultaneously with the timing belt replacement in order to avoid this.

Wheel bearings are a workhorse. They are crucial to your vehicle’s steering, handling and suspension because they join the wheel to the axle, enabling it to turn with limited friction. Replacing one wheel bearing can cost $350 or more on average in parts and labor, which means replacing all four in your car could cost more than $1,400.

If a mechanic determines that any of your wheel bearings are worn out, you’ll want to have them replaced as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your vehicle.

Grease and a seal are crucial for protecting a wheel bearing. The seal keeps the grease clean from dirt and moisture. If it begins to deteriorate, the grease can become compromised, which may cause the wheel bearing to overheat and become faulty.

Cambelt and water pumpproblems

Once the condition of your front or rear wheel bearings breaks down, your tires will wear out faster and can do so unevenly. Braking issues can occur. You also risk having your wheels lock up, which could lead to axle damage and other dangerous issues that are not worth the risk. Driving with a faulty wheel bearing is a safety hazard and not recommended.

You don’t need to replace all four if one is faulty. You can just replace the single bad bearing—you don’t need to do the replacement in pairs like you would with new tires.

How much to replace timing beltand water pump

The range of the cost of labor for a wheel bearing replacement should be approximately $150 to $200, but auto mechanic labor costs can vary wildly depending on the region and the level of expertise needed to fix the problem.

Hub style wheel bearings, the most common version used in modern vehicles, cost around $80 to $300 each. Don’t be alarmed if your mechanic says you need a new hub assembly, as this just means that the wheel bearings were installed inside the hub assembly at the factory, making it one complete part.

Aside from that, when replacing the timing belt, once the timing belt is removed it is only a matter of loosening a few more bolts and draining the coolant to change the water pump as well. Considering that water pumps generally do not cost a lot, it makes sense to do both at the same time.

Even if the water pump is not driven off the timing belt, to get to the water pump on many vehicles, you may have to remove the timing belt first. If that is the case, then it is advisable to replace the water pump & auxiliary drive belt at the same time as the timing belt while the mechanic has access to all the parts.

Not replacing the water pump on these vehicles during a timing belt change means if the pump does go at a later point, you will have to pay at least the same labour again and will risk further engine damage.

Road conditions like potholes, speed bumps, dirt, and sand can wear down the seal over time. Wheel bearings are designed to last a long time, often more than 100,000 miles, and don’t require routine maintenance. But once they show signs of wearing out, you’ll want to replace them as soon as you can get your car to a mechanic. The cost will vary depending on several factors, so call a few shops and ask for an estimate for the replacement for your vehicle’s make and model—and don’t delay getting it replaced.

Outside of work, Kurt is a maker, as well as a design and technology enthusiast, embodying a unique blend of creativity and precision with an international outlook. He has a keen interest in the latest advancements in car maintenance and clean vehicle technology, as well as a heart for classic cars. His favourite classic cars include the Lancia Fulvia Series 2 and the Citroen DS, showcasing his appreciation for timeless automotive craftsmanship.

That’s why we at ClickMechanic do always recommend getting both the timing belt and water pump replaced at the same time. We even have a dedicated job available in our repairs section on the site that will give you the full price for a timing belt and water pump.