2001 Saturn LS3 3.0 Liter - What am I getting into?

[Fishinguy40]

So my favorite niece calls me last night and explains that the shop told her she needs a new water pump due to leaking. She never got a quote but the mechanic told her "it was a lot of labor and something about the timing belt". Her words.

The car has 127k miles. It sounds to me that the timing cover would have to be removed to replace the water pump. I don't know if the timing belt has ever been replaced but I'm wondering, if I'm that deep into it, how tough is it to replace the timing belt.

If I do decide to do it, I won't go in totally blind. I will reference AllData. Any advice/suggestions are appreciated.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Your getting into an opel engine. You do not want to go there!