Water pump leaking, easy job to replace?

[dubjetta95]

I found that my slow coolant leak is coming from my water pump. My motor is a 2.0 and I noticed that the water pump doesn't run off the timing belt like every other car I've owned. How hard of a job is this to do? I know I have to remove the plastic under panel, but is there enough clearance to slide the water pump out easily? If someone could tell me about their experience changing their water pump and tell me if it gave them a hard time or not I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks a lot!

[boschmann]

The timing belt has to come off.

[dubjetta95]

damn, that really sucks. how come it looks like is has its own seperate belt then? how hard of a job is it?

[dubjetta95]

<-- Me

[boschmann]

It's just been that way since the 70's. It's not too hard if you're familiar with doing t-belts. Flywheel marks are a bit vague, get a manual.

[dubjetta95]

so the water pump runs off of two belts?

[irbf]

Originally Posted by dubjetta95

so the water pump runs off of two belts?

It looks to me that the pump runs off of a normal belt, not the timing belt. The pump is unusual (relatively speaking) and you can apparently purchase the "guts" to go into the housing or the entire think. Should not be more of a pain in the butt than usual...just messy...

[dubjetta95]

thats what i thought. thanks

[Boost192]

the t-belt has to come off and you should change it regardless cause if your doing the water pump why do a job twice when you can knock 2 birds out with 1 stone

[jimgiggles]

I just did the water pump the other day as well, taking the hard road (as usual). However i did find out from the local VW dealer that they replace the whole water pump and housing when they do the change, it seems like a bit of a pain though. Generally if your waterpump is dying, you may as well go ahead and change the t belt. I had to buy my water pump aftermarket because the dealer didn't sell the pump only. However, the timing may be a bit of a challenge if you don't mark your spots. And yes, there is a seperate belt for it.

[IowaHawkeye24]

If you can't do it yourself it ends up costing bout 500 I just had to have mine done a week ago

[veedubmechanic]

the water pump on a 95 jetta runs off a serpentine belt not the t-belt.

They are not too difficult, takes about 2hrs at home.