Behind the Timing Belt

[hoje00]

I have a 97 Camry, had for about a year, and the Timing Belt was replaced ~30k miles ago before I bought it. When it was done, they did not replace the oil seals or the water pump. Now my oil seals are leaking...getting worse every day. I am planning on replacing them (whichever one are bad if not all) when I open it up.

My question is should I replace the water pump while I have it open? As far as I can tell everything works great with it (although it does take 15 mins to warm up in the winter).

Thanks for the advice.

[Nervous]

You definitely should replace the water pump! This takes just about 30 minutes once you are already there. Seized water pump is not fun to have (or pump with broken blades). You do not mention what the engine is. But anyway, replace crankshaft seal, camshaft seal (2 of them if V6) and oil pump gasket if I4.
If you want to see what happens if water pump is seized:
A project car? Camry Wagon V6 LE (pics)

[hill8570]

Is this the original water pump? If so, if the oil seals are having problems, I'd expect the water pump shaft seal to not be far behind.

For a '97, my rule of thumb would be to replace the water pump and oil seals every 10 years or 120,000 miles. For a short-mileage commuter, that translates into every timing belt change; for a rig driven long distances, every other timing belt change.

[hoje00]

Sorry forgot to put in specs. 97 Camry V6 XLE 128000. still running strong and had new tires for winter. Never lost traction and this car plowed through snow drifts with ease! Its been a great car!

[Chris Crash]

Definitely replace the water pump.