Timing Belt - should I do water pump at same time?

[oibaf]

Hi folks,

Anyone have a good answer to the above? Brought the Bongo to a local mechanic today who was impressed by the mechanical condition of it but commented on the timing belt needing to be replaced, he showed me photos of the wear marks on it and it does need doing.

I know the water pump doesn't have to be replaced at the same time but he recommended doing it anyway. The thing is, he's only ever worked on one other Bongo before. He seems very thorough, and interested, so I'm sure he'd follow the bleeding procedure (or, if I have Rusty's Bleed Kit installed before he does it then it's not as big a deal).

Basically - should I follow his advice and do the water pump too (and come to think the alternator and aircon belts?) or just get the timing belt done and leave it?

[Bob]

Well worth getting the pump done at the same time, particularly if it's a v6, and for the price of three belts, definitely.

[oibaf]

Well worth getting the pump done at the same time, particularly if it's a v6, and for the price of three belts, definitely.

Sorry, I should've mentioned that it's a 2.5 diesel so the water pump isn't integral to the belts.

I'm kinda leaning towards not having it done with the timing belt this time because the mechanic isn't familiar with the bleeding procedure and I won't have the Rusty's Bleed Kit fitted in time so I'd be taking a gamble on the bleeding being done right...