water pump replacement

[miniowner92]

hello-need i remove the timing belt to change the water pump on a '93 mighty max w/a 2.4l engine? thank you.

[royster]

Hey miniowner, sorry no one replied...stuff happens.

As I recall, yes the timing belt needs to come off, but it's been 5 or 6 years since I was deep into the engine. What I do know is that accessibility will be improved if you remove the timing belt.

[miniowner92]

hey, thanx royster for the reply. got the truck w/timing belt done not too long ago, and apparently they didn't do the water pump at the same time. anyhow, pump is toast, and i just wanted to be ready to do the belt at the same time; i don't think you should put a used timing belt back on the engine, even though it's only done about 20k miles. truck runs amazingly well; don't want to do anything to change that. once again, thanx, and merry christmas.

[claych]

^^^
Sorry I missed this...I have the same year/engine combo as you -> Royster is spot on !
A new belt is cheap insurance, also check the balance shaft belt & both belt tensioners .
If there is the slightest doubt about condition replace as needed !!
The Mitsu factory parts are still available as are excellent aftermarket pieces.
& Yes these trucks are still amazing 30-35 years later.

LOL (at me) My manners sometimes.
Welcome to the Forum

[miniowner92]

thanx, claych. good advice, indeed. getting about 28mpg w/this truck; a sport model; full instrumentation, stripe, and i don't know what else comes w/it. but a really good, small truck. found some tundra aftermarket 16" rims at a garage sale for $10 each. with some 225/60 tires, she rolls wonderfully. merry christmas, and thanx for the welcome.

[royster]

Be sure to post some pictures of this truck, miniownwer.

If you replace the timing belt, be sure to replace the tensioner, too. There is a kit available with both belts and tensioner. Not replacing the 'b' belt could prove troublesome down the road, so go all the way . On the parts truck I bought, the 'b' belt was shredded and stuffed into a corner, while the main timing belt was intact. It suggested to me that the 'b' belt had not been replaced when the main belt was, in order to 'save time'. Jus' sayin'.

[miniowner92]

so i got the job done saturday. balance belt was broken and wrapped around its pulley on the crankshaft. put a new belt on both, a new water pump and a seal on the crankshaft, as it seemed that was where most of the gunk was located. also replaced the timing belt tensioner. got all the parts from rockauto, back a few months ago when they had a wholesalers clearance. not all that bad a job, but belt cover was very dirty, gunked up, and kinda hard to clean. all the timing marks were easily visible, and were lined up before i started. w/the balance shaft running now, it seems to have a little more vibration at idle, but a lot smoother up the rpm band. seemed a bit quieter, too. this was accomplished w/o a manual, just a coupla views of the uncovered front of the motor on youtube. pretty stoked about it and won't be afraid to go back in at a later date to replace more seals or whatever else comes up. old water pump had AISIN cast into it. maybe original? thanx for the posts, guys.

[claych]

Nicely done !!,
Happy New Year to You, now...
>-No more posts without pictures- < (just kidding)