Changing timing belt and water pump....

[noelstalker]

I was pretty peeved at the Chilton's manual for not telling me at the first step of replacing the water pump that I would have to have the A/C discharged before I started. I followed all of the steps, removing the intake manifold, draining the cooling system, removing the wheel, splash shield and drive belts. Then it said remove timing belt cover and timing belt so I went to the timing section and the first step is to have the refrigerant discharged.

Is this something I can do or hire someone to come to my house and do? I mean - I have already taken the car apart. I would loathe to put it back together, get the A/C discharged and take it back apart again.

I don't mind driving it somewhere to get it recharged after my water pump is back in again.

[CREWZIN]

Someone on the forum said they did the timing belt without taking off the lines of the air conditioning but it makes it a lot easier with them out of the way.

Have you actually looked to see if the job can be done without removing the lines or are you just reading the manual?

I'll have to say (working with law enforcement) that's it's illegal to discharge the R134 into the atmosphere. It needs to be captured into an approved container. What you do is up to you.

[TexasPanic]

I have to replace my water pump and timing on a 2002 cruiser. I just got quoted 760 for parts and labor from my local guy. I'm hoping this is reasonable, I really have no other options.

[CREWZIN]

Originally Posted by TexasPanic

I have to replace my water pump and timing on a 2002 cruiser. I just got quoted 760 for parts and labor from my local guy. I'm hoping this is reasonable, I really have no other options.

Yes, it's very reasonable. Ask your local guy if he's ever done a PT Cruiser timing belt before. He may be quoting you a price not knowing what's involved. 5 to 7 hours of labor and a lot of work. You don't want him to turn around in the middle of the job and say he didn't realize what was involved.

[nx13688]

I changed my belt successfully about a month ago without discharging the A/C. Having done so, I am sure the job would have been much easier if I had. If you don't discharge, you need to remove the bolts on the AC compressor and use rope or wire to hold the compressor up and forward to allow the engine to move up and down without breaking the lines. Also helpful to unbolt the radiator closure panel and move the side of the radiator forward to allow more room around the compressor and PS pump. Also, not disconnecting the AC coupling block will make it harder to unbolt the upper torque strut bracket. I had to have my dad weld up a right-angle handle extension () for my ratchet to loosen the bracket.
The Chilton manual is pretty much worthless for this job. The factory manual is much better. Two things the factory manual misses that I did and found very helpful: remove the right headlight assembly, and remove the upper intake manifold.