So recently I decided that we were gonna keep the car. With 135km i was really thinking that i should get to the the timing belt. It's an interference engine and the timing belt important. What was already a big job turned into a nightmare very quickly. This wasn't due to anything but cheap crappy parts. When I got the kit for close to 400 bucks ( not so cheap) I was concerned to find that the water pump had a plastic impeller. Turned out that as soon as the thermostat opened the pump began leaking! Take it all apart to discover that the bearing seal failed! My parts store was good. They gave me a new pump under warranty but again the impeller was plastic. Do the job a second time. On the test drive as soon as the thermostat opened it began leaking. Take it apart again to discover a bearing seal leak again! Take it apart for the third time and go back to the store. The store told me they only have one manufacturer. It is the only brand they sell and they are surprised that I got 2 bad pumps back to back. I told them I feel it has something to do with being plastic. They gave me another pump under warranty but this one was all metal. I Installed it yesterday and it's not leaking. Anyone who is getting ready to do this job themselves, beware of the dreaded plastic impeller. Plastic is not something I want to see in high quality parts. I have literally wasted 3 weekends due to manufacturers defects. if you think its enjoyable to keep taking this car apart it's not. 2 pumps back to back fail. Not such a coincidence that both had plastic. Knowing now what I found out, the hard way mind you, I will not accept any water pump that has plastic anything. It's too big of a job to want to do 3 times. The upside, I can do the whole job including test drive in 5hrs. But now its minus 35c so I'm gonna be upset if this pump fails
