If replacing the timing belt on 2000 Honda CRV w/120,000km do I need to replace water pump as well?

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Do you NEED to replace the Water Pump?

No.

Can it be a good idea?

Yes.

The Timing Belt drives the water pump. To get to the water pump requires almost no additional labor if your already doing the belt. If you replace both at the same time you don't have to worry about the pump going out later and having to repeat that same labor expense all over again.

Of course the pump may never go out, but you never know. This is purely a preventive maintenance recommendation.

Same with the Timing Belt Tensioner and pulleys....Show more

It's not necessary, but it's an excellent idea to do it at the same time. Honda's 4 cylinder engine has the water pump at the bottom of the engine block, driven by the timing belt off the crankshaft. Since the mechanic has to remove the timing belt cover and timing belt together, the additional labor should to swap out the water pump should not take more than 1/2 hr. You can check prices for an OEM equivalent Honda water pump on the internet - between $35 to $65, depending on manufacturer. So the total cost might be $100-$125.

Look at this way: if you don't replace it when the timing belt is being replaced, you will spend all that labor once again to replace the pump when it finally gives up its ghost. (In 99% of the cases, the WP bearing gives out.)

Do you want your WP to go out when you are driving on your summer vacation this year? I didn't think so.

The tensioner should not fail like the WP or timing belt. Ask your mechanic about the condition and follow his/her recommendation.

Do the right thing and your CRV will take care of you....Show more

It is recommended if the pump is run off the timing belt. Think of it this way: Your probably paying someone to do the belt, and that person is going to have to tear through some ish to get to the belt, if after they're done you get the car back and drive it for.....a month, and then the pump or tensioner go, you pay the same tech to tear through the same ish. It's not necessary, technically, but you may save yourself some heartache. OH and it's a Honda? If it is an interference engine, and the tensioner blows, you could risk doing serious damage to the motor, in an interference application, if the timing is off the pistons will whack the valves....Show more

You are going to run into a common auto repair dilemma know as the "you might as well". When replacing components that require you to delve down that far into the car, you might as well replace what you can now, to negate the need further down the road. It may las until the next belt change, however again, it may fail after another 35,000km. If you have the financial and technical means, I personally would do it now rather than later....Show more

replace it you don't want to have to tear apart the same thing a month down the road the tensioner should be OK until the next belt change but be sure to replace the seals....Show more