Water pump replacement
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 390
Water pump replacement
I'm having my local dealership perform the water pump replacement on my stock '91 base coupe. With labor (3hrs. +) and parts (new AC Delco pump + misc), my service advisor is quoting $335 + tax. Sound reasonable?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
It sounds really cheap 
depending on their labor rates. My shop charges $87 per hour for labor and the local Chevy dealer in town gets $109/hr 
.
Are you really sure about the cost of the water pump? Just checked the GMPartsHouse website (a CF Supporting Vendor) and a brand new AC Delco pump in their catalog is $170.00. Might want to double-check what you are getting here. Is it brand-new or a reman?
Sounds like too good of a deal for a dealer repair!
But as mentioned, a water pump R&R is not that big of a job. I had to replace the two water pump to block gaskets on my 87 last year and it took me about 2 hours to do.
depending on their labor rates. My shop charges $87 per hour for labor and the local Chevy dealer in town gets $109/hr . Are you really sure about the cost of the water pump? Just checked the GMPartsHouse website (a CF Supporting Vendor) and a brand new AC Delco pump in their catalog is $170.00. Might want to double-check what you are getting here. Is it brand-new or a reman?
Sounds like too good of a deal for a dealer repair!
But as mentioned, a water pump R&R is not that big of a job. I had to replace the two water pump to block gaskets on my 87 last year and it took me about 2 hours to do.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
It sounds really cheap depending on their labor rates. My shop charges $87 per hour for labor and the local Chevy dealer in town gets $109/hr .
Are you really sure about the cost of the water pump? Just checked the GMPartsHouse website (a CF Supporting Vendor) and a brand new AC Delco pump in their catalog is $170.00. Might want to double-check what you are getting here. Is it brand-new or a reman?
Sounds like too good of a deal for a dealer repair!
But as mentioned, a water pump R&R is not that big of a job. I had to replace the two water pump to block gaskets on my 87 last year and it took me about 2 hours to do.
depending on their labor rates. My shop charges $87 per hour for labor and the local Chevy dealer in town gets $109/hr . Are you really sure about the cost of the water pump? Just checked the GMPartsHouse website (a CF Supporting Vendor) and a brand new AC Delco pump in their catalog is $170.00. Might want to double-check what you are getting here. Is it brand-new or a reman?
Sounds like too good of a deal for a dealer repair!
But as mentioned, a water pump R&R is not that big of a job. I had to replace the two water pump to block gaskets on my 87 last year and it took me about 2 hours to do.
, it does sound really cheap for a (GM) dealership - especially the $335 INCLUDING the 3 hour labor rate - unless they're paying their corvette mechanics minimum wage. to be honest, i'd say the dealership costs, using the correct, new, ac delco part/parts (and dealerships charge "list" for parts on repairs), with labor would come in at $600-$700. don't forget, there's fresh anti-freeze, waste disposal, and other miscellaneous crap they charge for..., GM dealerships charge north of $100/hour for corvette mechanics. these guys make a tad more than the guy changing oil on a cobalt. i know there is no way i could R&R a water pump in 2 or 3 hours. the way i work, it would take me a couple days. its a good thing i didn't make my living as an auto mechanic - nobody could afford the labor and i'd starve...
let me see, i'll charge $50/hour - it would take me 16 hours (hey, i'm on a retirement schedule), so 16X50 + 200 for parts - i'll do it for 1000 bucks -
Last edited by Joe C; Mar 16, 2011 at 07:44 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 56
From: West Chester PA
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
That sounds way low for a dealership, I could see that as the labor charge only. Even with a remanufactured (China junk) WP and cheap anti freeze, that seems low by about $150.
I'd run up there and ask some hard questions.
I'd run up there and ask some hard questions.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 390
Originally quoted at about $400, I was able to reach a compromise at $335. We have several cars in the family, which includes the vette, that get routinely serviced by them. They know me well. 
The vette is back. I had them install a new sepentine belt as well. The old one was showing its age. It added a few extra dollars to the bill.
The vette is back. I had them install a new sepentine belt as well. The old one was showing its age. It added a few extra dollars to the bill.
Last edited by avigar; Mar 16, 2011 at 03:47 PM.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Originally quoted at about $400, I was able to reach a compromise at $335. We have several cars in the family, which includes the vette, that get routinely serviced by them. They know me well.
The vette is back. I had them install a new sepentine belt as well. The old one was showing its age. It added a few extra dollars to the bill.
The vette is back. I had them install a new sepentine belt as well. The old one was showing its age. It added a few extra dollars to the bill.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
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Total was $411, with serpentine belt and taxes included. And yes, it is a new, not remanufactured, water pump. The work is dealer warranteed, parts/labor, for 12 months. Oh, I also had them check my coolant, transmission, and gear oil. None needed to be replaced. Coolant just needed to be topped off after the work was done. All is good for now. The vette is running well.
Last edited by avigar; Mar 17, 2011 at 03:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
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Thanks! It definitely helps to have good customer service relationships with the folks of the dealership, especially the service side. I've dealt with them long enough to develop a trust when it comes to getting my cars serviced properly and at fair prices.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
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I do have the tools and the ability. However, I've gotten to that stage in my life where I'd rather have the experienced mechanics do the work if funds allow it. I used to do the work on my cars years ago. If it's simple, I'll tackle the job myself. This was one job I decided not to do.
Race Director
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From: Bergen County, NJ
