1993 Protege, ~285k miles

I got this car in 2006 with 135k. Was going to keep it a few years, and here I am still driving it. Way back I replaced the timing belt, tensioner, water pump. At the time I didn't bother recording the mileage because I was sure I wouldn't own it more than a few years. Anyway, lately I've been getting worried about how long the belt had left. The speed-o/odometer was broke for about 65k miles, so not positive on the total mileage, but I'm sure the belt was past due. OK, so...

A month or so ago I replaced the timing belt. Only the belt, because I'm not going to be driving it much longer. Yes, same story probably. Anyway, all is good for about 250 miles then I start hearing a whirring type of sound that seems to emanate from the timing belt area. It doesn't sound horrible, but clearly is a new sound. Figuring it is probably the tensioner, but maybe the pump, I go ahead and loosen the alternator belt a bit. I drive it another 100 or so miles and eventually the sound stops for the most part.

After a couple weeks with the sound mostly stopped, it is now back but sounds a lot worse. Hard to describe, but think clickey/crackly/grindy. My guess is the water pump. I'm going to go back in and replace it and the tensioner.

So let this be a lesson to all. Replace the bloody pump and tensioner when you do the belt even if you don't plan to own it for much longer. For one you may own the car longer than you think, and two, you may get almost immediate problems for not doing so.

 

Well, crap. Put the new water pump and tensioner in today. Not necessary. It's the power steering pump. Bugga!