Took my 2004 Solara for service and was told it needed new water pump and timing belt etc,etc amounting to >$800.00 I understand this car is nearly 8yrs old, but mileage is 40,000 and I have maintained it well. I did not question the need for the repair of this until someone told me that it is very unlikely that a car w/ only 40,000mi and good maintenance would need this. unfortunately, I need my car as most of us do and could not take a chance in being stuck somewhere to have it towed away. I do feel, however, that as Toyota's are not selling as they did (or is any car) that the repair dept is trying to take advantage of those attempting to maintain their vehicles as the lists of "to do's" is growing with each service. I did have 2 different mechanics check the problem before I scheduled for repair but they were both at Toyota. please let me know how I can be sure this repair was necessary. I do not want to get anyone in trouble but I am very concerned that I have just spent $800 that I do not have unnecessarily. thanks for your help

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Kia Optima Engine Timing Belt Kit With Water Pump

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Yes,there is a special wrench that fits the water pump. You have to loosen bolts on pump and put wrench on pump and turn pump to get belt on. Then tighten pump till marks line up on tensioner,then tighten the pump back down. Be sure to roll the engine around twice and recheck timing marks on crank and cams.

No, the timing belt does no run the water pump

Usually when changing the water pump most shops change the timing belt and also do the timing belt adjustments, the point of it is to change it and do the service because to access the water pump you need to take all of this off and you might as well replace the cheap belt and adjust all the timing while your at it. Otherwise if 10k miles down the road it needed the timing belt job, it would be the same amount in labor all over again.

Yep! You should replace the TiMiNG BELT and TENSiONER bearing!

Are you losing coolant. If you are I would check your heater core which is located under the glove compartment.

Yes the water pump does run of the timing belt system.
Directly from the service manual:

The 3.5L water pump has a die cast aluminum
housing and a plastic swept vane impeller. It bolts
directly to the right rear timing belt cover using an
O-ring for sealing. The water pump is
driven by the engine timing belt.

REMOVAL
The water pump on all models can be replaced
without discharging the air conditioning system.
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE PRESSURE CAP
WITH THE SYSTEM HOT AND UNDER PRESSURE
BECAUSE SERIOUS BURNS FROM COOLANT CAN
OCCUR.

NOTE: It is normal for the water pump to weep a
small amount of coolant from the weep hole (black
stain on water pump body). Do not replace the
water pump if this condition exists. Replace the
water pump if a heavy deposit or a steady flow of
engine coolant is evident on water pump body from
the weep hole (shaft seal failure). Be sure to perform
a thorough analysis before replacing water
pump.

(1) Drain cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).

(2) Remove accessory drive belts (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).

NOTE: The water pump is driven by the timing belt.

(3) Remove engine timing belt (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT AND
SPROCKETS - REMOVAL).

(4) Remove water pump mounting bolts (Fig. 31).
Note position of longer bolt for proper re-installation.

(5) Remove water pump body from engine

Here is link to get a factory service manual relatively cheap.
2004 Chrysler 300M Service Manual Covers every serviceable part.

yes in this case it is correct, the reason is that the water pump and the timing belt runs toghter.. you dont want to change one without the other..

yes i would for sure ! it will save you money later./

Replaced the timing belt and Tensioner and it works great now.