Need to change timing belt - does water pump need changing as well?

I just bought a 1982 Golf C with the 1,5 litre engine. It's got 112 000 km on the meter, and since I know little about the service history, I am changing the timing belt.
Standard procedure seems to include the water pump, but someone told me that the water pump is not connected to the timing belt syndrome (but rather to the alternator belt). In other words, no need to change them simultaneously.
Should I change both, or doesn't the water pump represent any hazard to the engine in terms of timing belt break-down?

In for a Penny, in for a Pound.
You don't have to change the water pump but it makes perfect sense and doesn't take long either.

If your not familiar with the jobs, just take your time and be methodical!  

i would change it, worth flushing the water through as well, dont forget to change the alternator belt whilst your at it

 

The only thing you should replace when changing the timing belt is the tensioner, most modern cars change the water pump when changing the cam belt as its run from the belt and its a right hassle to change it a later date.

The water pump is right at the front of the engine and easy to get to and run from the alternator belt. Replace the alternator belt as a couple of years is all they will last.
What colour is the coolant? Blue, pink, red or brown ish water? If a good colour pink leave it alone, Blue or Red might need changing soon, Blue every 2-3 years Red 3-5 years. Brown water change it NOW and take out the thermostat, you will need a new seal/rubber O ring.

You can see if the water pump is working when you start the car with the radiator cap off from cold you should see water coming into the expantion tank via the thin hose from the top of the radiator when you Rev the car the flow should increase as the water pump spins faster.

mark1gls said

You can see if the water pump is working when you start the car with the radiator cap off from cold you should see water coming into the expantion tank via the thin hose from the top of the radiator when you Rev the car the flow should increase as the water pump spins faster.

My 1,5 engine from 1982 hasn't got an expansion tank fitted. I observe similar models have such tanks, so have these been installed later? Should I get hold of an expansion tank and fit it into the engine bay?

No don't worry about the expansion tank, VW fitted them so it's easier to see how much coolant there is, there is also more water in the system so you can lose some before there is a problem but to be honest the system is under pressure when running so with any leak the coolant is going to spray out fast.
As long as you keep an eye on the levels as you should with any old car you should not have a problem, I've not got a expansion tank on my Mk1 Scirocco and never had any problems in the 20 years I've owned it.