Engine overheating at idle

[SJP0tato]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
He just called a few minutes ago to say that the water pump is leaking and needs to be replaced. I also need a new thermostat, heater hose and distributor o-ring. Parts, labour and taxes all-in - about $900 CAD. Holy fuck 🙁.

Well, at least this will give me a bit more life on this car.

Does that include the timing belt & tensioner? If you haven't had it changed yet it's probably about due, and since he's charging all that labor and has to remove the belt to get to the water pump anyways it's probably worthwhile to spend the little bit extra on parts to get these replaced too.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: SJP0tato

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
He just called a few minutes ago to say that the water pump is leaking and needs to be replaced. I also need a new thermostat, heater hose and distributor o-ring. Parts, labour and taxes all-in - about $900 CAD. Holy fuck 🙁.

Well, at least this will give me a bit more life on this car.

Does that include the timing belt & tensioner? If you haven't had it changed yet it's probably about due, and since he's charging all that labor and has to remove the belt to get to the water pump anyways it's probably worthwhile to spend the little bit extra on parts to get these replaced too.

He did mention that to me as a possibility but I elected to hold off for now. The timing belt was changed in 2002 but it only has 40,000 km on it. I'm going to gamble on another year or two on the belt before I change it again, and the mechanic thought that would be ok.

 

[zoiks]

Now that you know what the problem is, shop around for another mechanic that'll do it for cheap. INO, changing the thermostat, hose and water pump should not cost $900 even if that's Canadian.

 

[SN4p]

Dealership = Stealership.

You are always going to pay a premium at a dealership, mostly in labor.

Buy your parts online and get a local mechanic to fix it up for you. You will save a load of cash.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: zoiks
Now that you know what the problem is, shop around for another mechanic that'll do it for cheap. INO, changing the thermostat, hose and water pump should not cost $900 even if that's Canadian.

The first mechanic may impose a charge for investigating the problem. He doesn't work for free, I'm sure 😉

 

[DivideBYZero]

Looks like I win the thread.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: SJP0tato

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
He just called a few minutes ago to say that the water pump is leaking and needs to be replaced. I also need a new thermostat, heater hose and distributor o-ring. Parts, labour and taxes all-in - about $900 CAD. Holy fuck 🙁.

Well, at least this will give me a bit more life on this car.

Does that include the timing belt & tensioner? If you haven't had it changed yet it's probably about due, and since he's charging all that labor and has to remove the belt to get to the water pump anyways it's probably worthwhile to spend the little bit extra on parts to get these replaced too.

He did mention that to me as a possibility but I elected to hold off for now. The timing belt was changed in 2002 but it only has 40,000 km on it. I'm going to gamble on another year or two on the belt before I change it again, and the mechanic thought that would be ok.

How much additional would it cost to do the timing belt? He'll have done most of the work to get to the timing belt. It will probably be 4X as much to do it later because they'll have to take everything apart again.

 

[bruceb]

I would have him swap the timing belt. As mentioned, all the labor to get to it is already being done, so it just a minor extra parts cost.
Well worth the extra peace of mind and that belt is 7 years old. They do dry out over time.