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YACT: water pump

rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Mechanic says my water pump is showing signs of leakage. What's the worst case scenario and should I get this replaced ASAP ? $171+$90 labor (since it's already open at the moment - otherwise a $200+ on labor).

It's in the shop for a timing belt / tire rotation / oil change - $250.
'95 Isuzu Rodeo V6 (SUV)
 
Need to know what kind of car.

I've replaced two water pumps recently. One on a 93 Dodge Dakota and one on a 95 Saturn S-series. The Saturn's pump from the dealer was $60. The Dakota's pump from a parts store was $45.
$171 sounds high to me.

 
Worst case scenario is that it suddenly dies and you have no coolant circulating through your engine. Not too big a deal if you catch it right away, but it can be a big problem if your engine overheats and your don't notice until it gets past an easy fix...

Dan
 
Originally posted by: dmurray14
Originally posted by: rh71
It's in the shop for a timing belt / tire rotation / oil change - $250.
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:Q
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I agree $171 for a water pump seems high. The price on the work that is getting done at the moment seems a little steep as well.
 
Originally posted by: dmurray14
Originally posted by: rh71
It's in the shop for a timing belt / tire rotation / oil change - $250.
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:Q
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I called a few places and they wanted at least $200-something just for the timing belt replacement. These guys (local shop) are throwing in the alternator belt adjustment (it's squealing), tire rotation, and oil change with that price. I called Pep Boys also... they wanted well over $300 for just the timing belt replacement. *shrug*... I don't know who else to call to not get "ripped off" then.

I saw their ad (the local guys I'm using) in the paper for a timing belt replacement job on 4cyls to be $130. What a difference for a V6 huh ?
 
I don't think your mechanic is ripping you off, its just that taking a car to a mechanic is expensive, in itself. I have a problem prone car, and I've recently had to replace the steering rack, brake master cylinder, and radiator output tank. Its a PITA, but I save ~$1200 by doing it myself. The only think I couldn't do myself was the alignment, after changing the steering rack. Also, the parts the mechanic will use are typically OEM, so they will be a lot more expensive than the NAPA / Pepboys prices.
 
Ask the mechanics if you could just get the pump from Autozone or something and have them installed it for you (only pay them for the $90 labor). The other prices seemed reasonable enough.
 
You should do it, you'll have to sooner or later. When I got my timing belt replaced on my civic was the same time they replaced the water pump.
 
My mom kept driving down the highway when the water pump gave out entirely in my car... needless to say 2 out of 4 pistons were cracked, and my car is now on its second engine.

I don't like gambling with anything that deals with the cooling system, and besides you're better safe than sorry, I'd say get it done.

--Mark
 
Your water pump is very important. Your engine likes coolant.

Replace it. Do it yourself if you have the tools. Learn how to do it by picking up a service manual (or maybe a guide online). If you don't have the tools, I suggest you buy some! You would have no idea how much money you can save by getting your hands a bit dirty on a Saturday night.

I just replace the waterpump, timing belt, transmission fluid, shifter boot, radiator hoses, some leaking seals, belts and a few other things on my car the other week. It took my brother and I about 8 hours spanned over 2 days, but we got it done, and saved several hundred dollars on labor alone.

EDIT: Looks like fun eh?
 
well I think it's a bit late to call them back now and say please do it. Besides I can't afford another $250 right now, as much as I want it replaced. They only offered the lower labor cost cause it was already "apart" from prepping the timing belt change. Thx for the help... I guess I would've been better off not knowing how important it is. 🙂 I'll just have to buy the pump elsewhere and get them to put it in... that would equal out / justify the cost a bit more.
 
250 is not a lot for a timing belt (parts and labor). Sometimes the Mitchell labor length on a timing belt is as high as 6 hours, and at 70 dollars an hour you do the math. And that's just labor on a 30 dollar belt.
 
I thought the water pump on the V6 passport runs off the serpentine belt? And that is a lot "extra" for the water pump if its already all apart, I mean all they'd have to do is unbolt the old one (that is if it does run off timing belt), scrape old gasket off, and put new one on.It does not take one hour additional to the timing belt to put in a water pump if it is all apart already.
 
mine leaked out all the coolant and my girlfriend (who was borrowing my car) didn't notice the freaking temp gauge was pegged at maximum. when she got home, she was like "oh yeah, honey, your car is smoking or something." i was like "WTF WOMAN!" the car actually survived ok. hondas never die. but yeah, get it replaced because you don't want to be leaking coolant.
 
Originally posted by: rh71
well I think it's a bit late to call them back now and say please do it. Besides I can't afford another $250 right now, as much as I want it replaced. They only offered the lower labor cost cause it was already "apart" from prepping the timing belt change. Thx for the help... I guess I would've been better off not knowing how important it is. 🙂 I'll just have to buy the pump elsewhere and get them to put it in... that would equal out / justify the cost a bit more.
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If the pump was showing signs of leakage, i.e. dried coolant on the pump housing or slight seepage, then replacing it may have be premature. If the pump were leaking, i.e. fresh coolant leaking out, then replacing it would have been the better choice. The cost on the pump was most likely a new part and not reman. I have worked on these vehicles and changing the pump is a little more work than just replacing the timing belt. I have seen both conditions and recommend replacement both times to save the customer money.

I think you have found a decent mechanic even though the price on the pump was a little high. Not all mechanics are willing to work with discount chains like Autozone or Murray?s because they sell to their retail customers and their business accounts.
 
You know, if you were driving an aircooled VW, you'd never have to worry about a water pump 🙂
But yeah, you're probably better off getting it done.
 
If the timing belt was changed(or in the process of getting changed), all the mechanic has to do is remove about 8-10 bolts and the water pump comes out. Price for water pump seems steep to me and the labor charge seems high. I would pay for it but I would not use them again.
 
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