Cambelt change - should the waterpump be replaced?

[bodger00]

I have been given a good deal on a cambelt change and I am wondering if the waterpump should be changed at the same time?
 The car has done 40 k.
What do you think?

[S2 Ant]

From past experience, i've always had it changed as to change it you'd need to replace the cambelt as its driven by it, so IMO yes this should be replaced as standard when getting a cambelt replacement

[bodger00]

Do these go often and if so at what mileage?
I presume lack of waterpump= lack of cooling= ceased  :sad1:engine

[john_o]

its as much a question of doing the same job twice as well as whether the pump will fail.
theory is that the change in tension when fitting a new belt etc can mean the pump starts to leak.
I dont think they fail like they used to (its a metal drive but a plastic impeller which used to seperate but I think VW improved this)

if the dealers doing it, and you have a large amount of time left on your warranty then no issue you can do it either way (albeit it requires 2 trips to the dealer if the pump does leak/fail)
otherwise if you are paying for it, it seems common sense to replace the pump while the rest is off being replaced.
kinda why you replace tensioners as well as the belt.
remember its another 40k before it comes apart again, and you dont want to have to pay for labour twice to just have the pump replaced
(as well as disturbing the drive belt again...)

fwiw i paid for the pump myself while VW were replacing the belt/tensioners  , as my car will be out of warranty very soon.....
(they even recommend it but wont pay for it!)
around £55

[kirkland]

Its a no brainer really, get it changed at the same time, for the relatively small additional cost.
Don't forget if you let a dealer do it you get 2 yrs part warranty & a shorter labour warranty( can't remember how long ).