The Camry is out of comission, seems like the water pump

[Maim Menu]

Puddle of coolant under the car, the tiny weep hole near the thermostat is...well....weeping. The bearing had been making noise for a while.

If it wasn't for the fact that I've never removed a timing belt before I'd try to DIY it but I'm not confident enough....

[xtremeskier97]

Ive never done it before either, but it doesnt look difficult. With the number of DIYs on this forum pertaining to the water pump/timing belt, you should have no problems!

FIX IT!

[Maim Menu]

I know, but my timing belt would be good for another 20 000kms, wich is now more than a year for me. I moved out of the rented house to an appartment complex that is WAY closer to my job, problem is now all mechanical stuff will be done in a parking lot, wich will require more careful planning.

If I do it myself, I don't plan on getting a new timing belt.

1. Could I move the Timing belt out of the way to just change the water pump?

2. Do I absolutely have to drain all the coolant from the engine to do it? I do expect some spillage, I just don't know how bad it's gonna be.

If the spillage is manageable, I could park the car over a blanket and change the water pump without even jacking the car up, and that'd be great.

These are basically the two things that I need to know to take a decision.

[ghettosled]

1. the timing belt has to be removed. might as well spend the extra $30 and slap on a new belt.

2. i didnt drain the cooling system when i changed my water pump. i think i spilled about not even a half gallon. i caught most of it in an empty used oil catch can.