hi all,
i have 197k on my wagon and was wondering if i should replace the water pump on it, or how to check if it needs replacing. it's running fine except an oil leak from either the front or rear seal.
thx

 

Peace of mind: replace it if you are handy with reading instructions and mechanically inclined. Not pricey and will take you about 4 hours...its is not hard, the only weird part is when you have to pry the pump up towards the cyl head once you get one bolt in and you need to bolt up the top bolt I think...kind of like swinging it to match the bolt opening on the block to the pump bolt hole.

remove the fan shroud to do this job....gives you more room....
If you get it done by a mechanic, figure it like this:
pump 35 to 60 dollars for the pump
2.5 hours of labor @ 65 to 89 per hour? I am just thinking atop of my head. No 600 dollars for a water pump.....no no no.

 

typcially, you replace the water pump every other time you replace the timing belts, which is every 60k miles... so that says the water pumps are 120K miles.

the better of the aftermarket pumps are OK, but the aftermarket rubber seals are junk, get real Volvo brand seals, especially the one on top for the water port under the head overhang.

same goes for camshaft and crankcase seals, use real Volvo, accept no substitute. they just fit better.