Chrysler Repair: 3.0L:Water Pump/Timing Belt R&R, coolant levels, metric sockets

Question
Hello from Rochester, NY!

Mine is a '90 6-cylinder model, with AC and 3.0 Mitsubishi engine. My question is how practical is it for a man with limited garage space and tools, having more ambition and self-confidence than mechanical experience to do such a job? The cost is around $600. plus the cost of a timing belt, which I'm guessing should be done at the same time. Also, I do not have a shop/ repair manual for changing the water pump.

A quick second question is how many miles can the car be driven with a leaky water pump that I'm keeping a close, careful eye on to keep adequate coolant levels...?

Sincerest thanks for your advice and assistance!

Mike Ward

Answer
Hi Mike,
The timing belt and water pump changeout are appropriately done together. The shop manual pages to do both number about 8. I can xerox copy and postal mail those to you. If you will send me back three 44-cent stamps to cover my costs, after you receive the pages, that would be appreciated. It would be good to have a torque wrench to get the fasteners tightened appropriately, and you would want to have a floor jack to support the oil pan with a piece of wood and the jack when you remove one of the engine mounts which is necessary to remove the timing belt covers. It is not so challenging that you would want to avoid it. A set of metric sockets and wrenches is probably all you need.
The degradation rate of a water pump is highly variable, so I won't offer a predicition. Once it starts to go it can only get worse, but how quickly is unknown. So carry water and don't stray too far from home.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer, and where you see the question about 'volunteer of the month' please consider giving a 'yes' answer. Thank you.
Let me know a postal mailing address if you would like the pages.

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the rating and nomination. Let me mention in re; continuing to drive that if you keep your eye on the temp gauge and for steam to come from the hood, that you will be able to shut off the engine when/if you loose very much coolant. Then after things cool off you can add the water that you brought along and limp home. You won't do damage unless somehow the temp gauge doesn't alert you or the steam is not noticed.
I just noticed a reference that you might well take a look at now, which has the details of the job similar to what is shown in the manual:   www.allpar.com/fix/3liter-timing-belts.html
Let me know if that is sufficient to get you going but you would nonetheless want the pages.