I'm having a head gasket done on my new (new to me) 2000 disco, I bought the head gaskets and took to the mechanic and he recommended I get a new water pump too. It would be nice to replace everything while he's in there but it would also be nice to have a million dollars. So my question is this, is it money wise to get a new water pump too or drive it and if it starts to leak or fail then replace it? This will NOT be a daily driver in fact its role in life will be to take me fishing, play in the hills and transport the family when the snow is more than 1 foot deep.
Thanks all.

 

I would say, it wuld be in your best interest to change the water pump. As long as he is in there, might as well. Cant possibly do any harm at this point. Besides, its cheap insurance and an added peace of mind.

 

Depending on the miles, yes I would replace the water pump also. And the serp belt (which is only a 10 dollar part).

 

More important than the water pump would be hoses and a thermostat, as well as replacing the throttle body heater plate and gasket.

If the pump looks good and it's circulating water, it's something that can be done later. It's not all the bad of a job (not nearly as involved as what you need to remove to get at the head gaskets). If you do replace it, make sure you do so with a proper one, not a cheap reman with a stamped metal impeller.

If the truck has a lot of miles and the pump is original (or looks to be) I might think pretty hard about doing it now. But I don't think it would be the end of the world not it.