In practice when a timing belt is replaced at a garage would they also replace the water pump.

If it should would there be any consequences if they only replaced the belt.

A good garage would recommend replacing the pump, but ideally you would ask for this to be done yourself. When the belt is off,its just as well to do this. There are no set in stone rules to this, its a precautionary measure more than anything else.

I just wanted to ask as i have had the timing belt replaced last week as the garage said it hadn't been done for at least 4 years, but knowing little about the mechanics of cars didn't know about the water pump, i have had the car for just over 2 years and havn't had the belt or pump replaced, so i'm thinking if the belt needed replacing then surely the pump did aswell.

I'm only asking as since having the belt replaced. i'm having all sorts of problems with overheating

I'd get it done. the pump blades are plastic and wear and the bearings can fail. Not a huge expense £40 + labour I think? If it does go then you've got to have the belt taken off to get at it and the engine re-timed.

'All sorts of problems with overheating' Is it losing water, the fan not coming on? What is the problem?

When water and bubbles are blowing over from the vent hose into the coolant bottle its a sign the head gasket has failed.

A blocked radiator or sticking thermostat can overheat the engine. Check the top coolant hose is getting hot when the engine is fully up to temperature.

Had the car to a different garage this morning and they have said it is the head gasket.

Really annoyed as this time last week i had just had a major service and was told all i needed was a cambelt, 2 cv boots, and a seal on the drive shaft fixed.
All of which i had fixed which cost with the service about £450.

Now a week later and i need a head gasket another £280

Ask them why its the HG and to do a 'block check'. This is a chemical test on the coolant to show hydrocarbons (burnt petrol) in the coolant..The only sure way to show the HG has gone. Seems odd the first place didn't pick it up.

If you take off the oil filler cap do you have a yellow gunge all over the inside of the cap?

The garage where i have taken the car have done a block test and have said it is the head gasket.

The garage where i originally took my car and which did the repairs mentioned don't have the equipment to do a block test and this wasn't what i took the car for in the first place (it was for a major service)

All i can think, is that the head gasket was already on its way out, and the repairs i had done have made the head gasket go quicker than what it would have done

The repairs will have done nothing to contribute to the head gasket failure, unless they did replace the pump but didn't refill the cooling system properly.

Head gasket can be going for along time untill it does. Longer you leave it the more damage caused to the engine though

£300 repair

Head gaskets are fine until they fail. Poor maintenance of the cooling system doesnt help but you never know.

When its done its worth having a new thermostat fitted at the same time and get the radiator flushed out. If the rad is suspect, fit a new one. Shop4Parts and VJS Components can do them at good prices.

Quiz the garage about bleeding the cooling system. Any bubbles in there will stress the new gasket. Its also worth having the joint face skimmed to be sure its flat.