I'm planning on doing the timing belt and changing the water pump at the same time. Does anyone know how much coolant is lost when you take the water pump off? Can you save any of it, as I just changed the coolant last year?

Also do you have to change the o-ring at the other end of the water pipe?

Coolant is cheap - I was quoted $600 for a full timing belt kit with hydraulic tensioner and waterpump - another $50 for coolant isn't much...

If you do want to recover the coolant - there is a drain cock on the bottom of the radiator.

So if I drain it from the radiator will that lower the level in the engine below the water pump? Last time I drained it there I could only get 4L out. I still have 1.5L of new coolant left over so can afford to loose a small amount, plus topping up with a small amount of water should be fine as it is at almost 50% concentration.

It will drain it to the level of the water pump - you will loose some coolant, but with what you have left you should have enough to top it up again.

Change the o ring while your there. May as well do the front oil seals, cheap protection from oil leaks....

No where near the pump, dont bother with the coolant as when you remove the pump the block will be all but completely drained. Coolant is not expensive and when you look at the risk of contamination you get is not worth it

No where near the pump, dont bother with the coolant as when you remove the pump the block will be all but completely drained. Coolant is not expensive and when you look at the risk of contamination you get is not worth it

So your saying that draining from the radiator will not drain the block? How much will come out of the block when I take the water pump off?