[DieselPhreak]

A friend of mine has a 2002 Kia Rio had a bad belt squeal i replaced both serpentine belts, one of which was in really bad shape, to the point it was causing the alternator not to charge. Anyways, squeal went away for a few weeks and came back belts were still tight. She ended up taking it to a shop to get the oil changed and the did their "100 point inspection" or w/e and said the reason her belts were squealing was because her water pump was bad. She came straight to me asking if that sounded right. (being a girl you just never know with mechanics) Now i'm a diesel mechanic, so to me that didn't sound to off, until i started looking and realized the pump is timing belt driven. So that made me confused, how would that cause a belt squeal? timing belts can't just slip like that. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[jcwit]

Now i'm a diesel mechanic, so to me that didn't sound to off, until i started looking and realized the pump is timing belt driven. So that made me confused, how would that cause a belt squeal? timing belts can't just slip like that. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I believe the water pump is driven by the same belt that drives the altenator. At least on my 03 it is.

 

[DieselPhreak]

So maybe the pump is just mounted behind the timing belt area, but not actually driven by it? Anybody else have some input?

 

[Kevster]

Yes, the pump is alternator belt driven (not timing belt driven). but to replace the pump you need to disassemble all the timing cover stuff. May as well slap a new timing belt on it while you're in there. Dealer will always recommend the pump be replaced at every timing belt interval for this reason. And timing belt intervals are 60K miles on these little Rios.

 

[DieselPhreak]

Yes, the pump is alternator belt driven (not timing belt driven). but to replace the pump you need to disassemble all the timing cover stuff. May as well slap a new timing belt on it while you're in there. Dealer will always recommend the pump be replaced at every timing belt interval for this reason. And timing belt intervals are 60K miles on these little Rios.

Sweet thats the kind of answer i was looking for. Now i know what i need to do thanks!

 

[jcwit]

Suggest you put a new tensioner spring, pulley and idler pulley on also at this time for this old a car.

 

[ronjohn]

Jcwit is correct that's a good idea