Started pulling off all of the required parts to remove water pump and am now stuck. Cannot remove the plastic cover over water pump. Also, looks like I will need to remove timing belt. What's the best course off action?

 

The fsm has a nice walk through and there are other pictorial guides here. I did the water pump a few weeks ago.

I think the cover you're talking about is the timing belt cover, there are a few boltd under them speak plug wires and a few visable around the cover

Fsm:
http://web.archive.org/web/200808020...5/contents.htm

 

Assuming 3vze since you mention timing belt
http://web.archive.org/web/200807310...e/timingbe.pdf

Once that's taken off you can get to the water pump
http://web.archive.org/web/200807310...s/waterpum.pdf

 

Agreed. Water pipe, timing covers, timing belt, etc. have to be removed before you can get to the water pump. Depending on how many miles are on your belt, it might be a good idea to replace the belt, idlers, etc. while you're right there.

-Aaron