My 1999 SiR's timing belt and water pump were last changed 10 years go, though the car has only been driver 58,000 kms / 36,000 miles since then. The car has 158,000 kms total on it.

I'm planning to change the tensioner and spring along with the timing belt - should I change the water pump at the same time? Any thoughts on the quality of a Gates 44405 water pump?


BTW, are there official part #s for the rubber seals that go underneath the EM1 spoiler arms that rest on the hood of the car? Mine are not in very good shape and I want to replace them. The 99 - 00 EM1 spoiler isn't mentioned in the factory service manual.

Another question I have is will the rust powder on this shock absober cause a replacement bumper re-bar I'm installing to rust more quickly if I put this shock absorber on it?

 

Buy all GENUINE HONDA parts. Don't forget the two cam seals (behind the cam sprockets), oil pump seal and accessory belts.

 

I'm pretty sure I included a photo in the OP of the shock absorber covered in rust dust. Wanted to know if that will basically infect the replacement rebar if I put it on top. I couldn't wipe it off, so I sprayed over it with rock guard.

Anybody think I should just keep using the 10 year old water pump with 36,000 miles on it?

 

Yes replace the water pump and coolant since you already have to take it off. I used the gates timing belt kit that includes water pump.

 

Gates belts and tensioners are good, but their water pumps have started being manufactured in China instead of Japan and I can tell a difference. I recommend Aisin brand kits for their water pumps, or piece together a kit by buying the parts separately.

 

^^^this!! my last gates pump lasted 5 years/60k. ok for extreme conditions i guess but i dont live there. 8(
little f**ker started leaking soon after i read about the china thing. previous gates pumps easily made it to the 90k limit. now running a npw pump as it was the only made in japan unit i could find for the gsr.
still went with the gates belt, hopefully they cant screw that up.
went with koyo tensioner another quality japan part.

 

OK, maybe I'll look for a different water pump. Thanks for the warnings.

I ordered a Continental belt, and a Koyo tensioner. I read that the Koyo tensioner uses the Honda OEM bearing.


Gates sounds confident about their water pump durability:

Durable Automotive Water Pumps | Gates Corporation

Gates water pumps are recognized in the industry for their durability and superior quality. Every Gates water pump is constructed with premium alloy materials and a 100% functional test of seals and bearings along with a 100% leakage test for both the casting and assembled water pump. We are committed to selling the highest quality new, never re-manufactured, water pumps in the aftermarket. Our end goal is to provide our customers with worry-free operation for the life of their vehicle.

Genuine Performance Automotive Water Pump | Gates Australia

• Gates are prime manufacturers of Water Pumps allowing better control of the manufacturing process and quality of product.
• Gates is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This helps ensure that products perform exactly as the original supplied to car manufacturers.
• Water Pumps use unitised bearings and seals for longer service life, and have precision ground surfaces for proper fit and sealing.

But then they say "This product is backed by a strong warranty (2 years / 40,000 kms)." 2 years / 40,000 kms sounds like a total lack of faith in the product. But then I don't know what other water pumps offer for their warranty.

 

2 yr warranty isn't nothing considering for a few bucks more you can get something else. For the amount of time it takes to replace a leaking wp it's not worth the risk. i wish I remembered where my gates wp is made but I forgot as it's been 5 yrs.

 

The difference in quality was obvious enough to make me do a double take at the packaging to see if it was still made in Japan. That was the last Gates WP I used.

 

omg hadnt seen that bogus warranty before,
another major red flag. also heard the pumps
they put in their timing belt kits are noticeably
crappier too. this tbk kit looks kick ***.
definitely getting a bando timing belt next time.