$1000 for water pump and thermostat replacement
 

Is this a good price or totally outrageous for a c5? Seems the repair is simple but not sure for bay area California?

Huge rip off

Does that include parts? And a happy ending?

Whoa! A stock replacement pump is around $140 or so. Thermostat you can get for $30 and its only a total of 8 bolts between both parts. Oh and gaskets, another $5. I suggest look at some diy threads here and get your ratchet with a 10mm socket. Thats all youll need. Oh and some coolant. The whole job should be maybe $200. No way labor is $800 when you can do it in an hour.

Wow, I paid less to have my water pump replaced on a previous car that was driven by the timing chain and took 5 hours to replace.

Definite rip-off.

Hope that included a great dinner and a happy ending.:thumbs:

To put it into perspective for you, a reputable speed shop quoted me $1,000 to R&R the engine in my 2004.

We can powder coat the water pump any color you want and throw in a dyno tune afterwards and you would still have change. :lol:

:thumbs: Plus it would be done right with no problems afterwards. :cheers:

Simple fix for less than $200 if you do it in your garage. I've done this several times before and it's a 3/10 for even the occassional DIY'er - last time was over the Xmas holiday on the wife's C5.

Be prepared for a huge rush of coolant when you pop the old pump off, though - even after you drain the radiator, there will be a lot of coolant that drains from the block. Usually, the new gaskets (2) come with the new/rebuilt pump. Make sure they are in the box when you pick up the new pump. Also, make sure you get a new O-ring with the new Tstat and be careful that it seats properly. I use blue Loctite on the pump bolts.

On my 98, it was quite a chore to remove all the paper gasket (which was more like ceramic by the time I did the job). You'll need a good razor scraper and plenty of blades. I think someone said on later models they don't have the gaskets, and that would be a huge improvement. But, even still, $150 in labor at $75/hour is too much. $175 in parts, and you're out the door.

It is like an hour of labor.

Amazing.

You may have a shop that is unfamiliar with Corvette and does not know the "going rate" or has not done enough water pump replacements to be familiar with the job. Or they are just takng you for a ride, either way I would not want this shop working on my car.

Use the aluminum gaskets with a o-ring.

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...-35635_w_s.jpg

Rip off.
 

I just did mine and upgraded to an electric pump and I'm not the sharpest machanic in the box. If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself and don't belong to a corvette club with members that can help you I'd suggest you look ask around your area for a good independent shop that you can trust.

Good luck. :thumbs:

When you go there hold on to your ankles.:willy: Ask him for a parts and labor break down. Then ask for shop manual hours. He can charge what ever he wants it's up to you to decide.

Totally outrageous!

Due yourself a favour and find an honest shop. There's still some out there.

I'd be looking for some local forum members and find out who they trust and deal with, if you can't do these repairs yourself.

Yes, outrageous!!




Dan

if it takes an hour to swap out water pumps on a C5, it might be your first time doing it.. if a professional mechanic does it it should take 45 minutes.. shops around here are 100 an hour so this job labor cost should be 100 dollars. add two gallons of coolant and a new stat and the pump and its a 400 dollar job at best.,,do it your self and its under 300 dollars.

Better include a kiss and a cigarette.

Charlie

If they are gonna try to do that to you, insist on a lot of lube and a reacharound at least.
:hide:

I had a shop quote me $2,500 for a fuel pump last week. I think overbidding is their way of saying "we do not know what we are doing and had prefer you take it somewhere else."

Maybe the price includes a markup after taking it to a dealership. :lol:

Sounds like this shop Contracts out their work to the nearest Chevy Dealership, and then marks up the price so they can make a profit...:crazy2:

best answer in here so far. this whole thread is hilarious.

whoever quoted you that is either horribly clueless, or an a-hole.

hah, this maybe tying it for funniest. maybe it includes the fees to call a local tow truck to take it there and back, as well.

you should at least get a reach around after paying $1,000 to replace those.

Before I started wrenching my own car I paid $150 to have mine replaced, and that was steep considering that I brought my own part.

I think when you come in with a simple DIY job like this they think you have no clue, and some of the unscrupulous guys take advantage of this.

you're much more likely to get ripped off on a little job like this than a big job, a some guys try to really get ya for taking a bay for minor repairs.