So I recently had my 97 RS break down on me. Apparently my water pump seized up, stripping my timing belt in the process and bending the shit outta my valves. Thought I'd have to replace a head or something, but to have the valves refabricated and the pump and belt replaced is still gonna run me $1800-$2000. Anyone have a similar incident?

quite common with our cars, unfortunately. good pratice to keep the timing belt, tensioner, water pump - ect changed every 30,XXX miles i belive. Our motors are refered to interference motors, when the timing belt breaks- it bends the valves and trashes stuff up, pretty much requiring a rebuild.

Originally posted by .bs0d
good pratice to keep the timing belt, tensioner, water pump - ect changed every 30,XXX miles i belive.

The timing belt service interval is 60,000 miles, which includes the waterpump. If you don't do it, this is what happens.

innit

Well I replaced the timing belt just 6 months ago at 120k, I didn't know about doing the water pump as well. Guess I'm paying for my ignorance.

shit. i have 75k now and replaced the timing belt already (w/o a goddamn water pump) thats all i need is another shredded belt and another set of valves.

damn, on my 97 talon i have 110k miles on stock hg and stock timing/wp

i did my headgasket at 55k forcibly.

in the process of doing it, the dowel pin in my intake cam sheared right off, and caused all 8 intake valves to hit the pistons at 6400rpm.

which called for new intake valves (meh, as long as im in there) got all new 16 1.3mm oversized stainless Ferrea valves. $220

PT rockers/lifters: $150

Head gasket (for 1st replacement):$40

Upper gasket set for 2nd time: $95

Water Pump: $50

so basically, within 1 week i had to remove my head, deck it, install head, remove head, oversize valves, machine head, install head.

It sucked, and i never want to do it again.

Yea I always thought timing belt jobs were 90,000 mile jobs? At least at toyota they are. 60 just seems too soon.

Originally posted by WIDECLIPSE
60 just seems too soon.

For a DSM?? Anytime I change the timing belt, I change the water pump, including pushrod V8's. I have pictures why it's a good idea, it could have ended up worse.

1800 dollars fuck that. Buy the shit your self and turn into a certified dsm mechanic. It isn't really that hard with a chiltons manual and a case of steel reserve.

Well good news for me, sorta. I had a friend of mine find the parts I needed and he has some experience doing this sorta thing (he works at a shop across town) and he has helped me so far. At this point the valves are good and the head is repaired I'm just replacing the belt and pump which I should be able to finish sometime tomorrow. Grand total $700.

and the tensioner, right

hmmmm...

got my timing belt/tensioner done not too long ago, but not my water pump. i was told just the belt would do, no need to do the water pump, obviously bad advice. how hard is it to do the water pump on its own (read, can you just slip off the belt, swap out the pump and slip the belt back on?. I'm gonna need a frickin lift, arent I?