HoosierDaddy

...replaced-Did you replace your water pump, too? I can see the reason behind it, but is it really necessary? I have a 98 contour and will be getting the timing belt replaced. I'm not sure about the water pump yet. The car has 72.5 k and I
really don't know what has been done to it.
Any thoughts?

HappyExplorer

No, not at all. Unless you are sure that your pump is bad dont replace it.

But, on the other hand, if you have the cash and the pump is cheap then go for it.

(my old mazda's was outrageous, so not a good idea back then)

With the contour, most likely your pump will go bad by 90-110k miles so feel free to ride on it. The good new is that if your pump does die on you, its not going to blow up your car and its a relatively fast fix.