Water pump/timing belt replacement

Tiny
CBORSIK
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 DODGE MAGNUM
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 227,000 MILES
My car was starting to overheat and leak antifreeze, before I had a chance to get it in the timing belt snapped and the car broke down. I replaced the timing belt, but I am still having the overheating/leaking issue. From what I have heard when the timing belt is replaced in these cars the water pump should also be replaced. It has a rebuilt engine in it with only 27,000 miles on it so far, and had a new transmission put in at 160,000 miles, both were done prior to me buying the car just two years ago. Besides the overheating problem I have had no other issues with the car since the timing belt was replaced. I am wondering if I just need to replace the water pump and the timing belt will still be okay? I have hardly driven it since having the timing belt replaced in fear of messing it up even more. Any advice on this would be very helpful!
Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 AT 12:01 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,411 POSTS
You can replace just the water pump only if the belt is okay. Just mark the direction of the timing belt so you can install it back in the direction is going.
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Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 AT 12:10 AM
Tiny
CBORSIK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Okay, thank you! I wont be doing it myself and I have no idea how the timing belt is, but it was just put in within the last month and the car has barely been driven, so I am thinking it should still be okay.
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Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 AT 12:29 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 AT 10:02 PM

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