Hello to all. I know this question has been asked a hundred times but I am going to ask for the 101st time. We have an automatic '05 Elantra with 40,000 miles. We will be having the timing belt replaced in the next week or so. While we are at it what else should we have done in relation to this service, ex. Water pump, other belts and hoses? Just trying to be specific to this model and year. Thanks in advance for your time, Angelo

To be honest, it's a 50-50 choice up to you.

There's no reason why the water pump can't last 100,00 miles. If it's not leaking, I say leave it alone.

However, most of the labor involved to change the timing belt is the same labor to change the water pump. So if the water pump goes soon after the timing belt change you will pay the labor charge twice. If you replace the pump now with the timing belt, it saves you the cost of doing the labor twice. You are only adding the cost of a pump to the cost of the timing belt change.

So it's up to you. Ask the shop how much more it would cost to add the water pump to the job and then ask them how much it would cost to just change the pump a month from now.

Thanks NovaResource for the quick and helpful response. Angelo

Just wondering...I have a 2005 Elantra and the scheduled maintenance info states that the timing belt is scheduled to be changed at 60,000 miles...not 40,000 as you plan. why are you changing the belt...and incurring that expense so soon ??

Because if you read the scheduled maintenance info closely, you will see it says to replace the belts at 60,000 miles or 48 months (4 years), whichever comes first.

As usual, you are correct. I read through the posters "2005" model info too quickly and focused on the "40,000" mile statement. The lesson here is that we should pay equal attention to "Mileage AND Months" for ALL maintenance.