Whoops. Sniff for exhaust at radiator, sniff for coolant at tailpipe!
| PvtPublic
July 14 |
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ken2116:
You can have exhaust and open radiator sniffed (with electronic tools) for exhaust gases, also indicating a head gasket leak.
What’s the point of sniffing for exhaust gasses in the exhaust? Just asking.
Anybody mentioned testing for combustion products in the coolant yet?
Just curious, is that an actual requirement, that is: is it physically impossible to replace the water pump w/o first replacing the timing belt? or does it just make sense from a $$$ point of view if the owner is paying an hourly labor fee? The reason I ask, I recently replaced the water pump on my Corolla. I concur it would have made sense to also replace the timing belt if I was paying an hourly labor fee. But I wasn’t. Other than inspect the timing belt’s condition I didn’t monkey w/the timing belt. Replacing the timing belt would have added another 1.5-2 hours of work.
I am not sure about this vehicle but When the water pump is on with the timing belt (or geared to crankshaft as is occasionally the case), if the water pump seizes and tosses the belt , the engine will shutdown. Inconvenient, but rarely dangerous, and saves a very expensive repair.
Replacing the water pump on many cars, including your Subaru,requires removing the belt because it drives the pump. You could reuse the belt but that would be foolish brcause all of the labor would have to be repeated if the belt fails, even if it did not damage the engine.
Ok, I see. On my Corolla the water pump isn’t driven by the timing belt, so no need to remove the timing belt to replace the water pump. If I had wanted to also replace the timing belt as part of a water pump job, in addition to the work for the water pump, I would have to also remove the crankshaft pulley, the lower timing belt cover, some front-engine supports, then replace the belt and tensioner, then put it back together & verify the timing is correct. It would have added quite a bit more work.