It is a Vulcan. I have little to no mechanical inclination. A 2-3 hour job will probably last me all day and I will end up breaking something else. I will gladly pay the local neighborhood garage to fix the problem. It is the cost of the part which is causing me to hesitate. Hopefully we will be able to agree on a less expensive alternative.
$200 water pump?
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Don't be surprised if the timing cover develops a coolant leak within a few months of the water pump being replaced. To replace the timing cover gasket is a much bigger job than it should be since the oil pan has to be removed and the Y-pipe has to be removed to pull the pan.
Good luck, hope you beat the odds.
Good luck, hope you beat the odds.
Originally Posted By: pottymouth
Don't be surprised if the timing cover develops a coolant leak within a few months of the water pump being replaced. To replace the timing cover gasket is a much bigger job than it should be since the oil pan has to be removed and the Y-pipe has to be removed to pull the pan.
Good luck, hope you beat the odds.
Why would this happen?
Don't be surprised if the timing cover develops a coolant leak within a few months of the water pump being replaced. To replace the timing cover gasket is a much bigger job than it should be since the oil pan has to be removed and the Y-pipe has to be removed to pull the pan.
Good luck, hope you beat the odds.
Why would this happen?
Originally Posted By: Scorch
Originally Posted By: pottymouth
Don't be surprised if the timing cover develops a coolant leak within a few months of the water pump being replaced. To replace the timing cover gasket is a much bigger job than it should be since the oil pan has to be removed and the Y-pipe has to be removed to pull the pan.
Good luck, hope you beat the odds.
Why would this happen?
The catalytic converter is right next to it and nukes the gasket.
Originally Posted By: pottymouth
Don't be surprised if the timing cover develops a coolant leak within a few months of the water pump being replaced. To replace the timing cover gasket is a much bigger job than it should be since the oil pan has to be removed and the Y-pipe has to be removed to pull the pan.
Good luck, hope you beat the odds.
Why would this happen?
The catalytic converter is right next to it and nukes the gasket.
Too bad it's not a duratec. 1 hour job if you're an amateur. 1/2 hour if you've done one or two.
I called the garage this morning and the tech said that $200 should be the whole job. I could have sworn they said part only on Saturday. Maybe I am losing my mind (wife would testify to that) Well I guess I started much to do about nothing. However, I did learn quite a bit from y'alls responses. I appreciate your input.
Originally Posted By: Scorch
Why would this happen?
I've heard several hypotheses:
1) Aluminum timing cover on an iron block. Differentials of thermal expansion tears the gasket over time.
2) Corrosion of the timing cover around the pump inlet/outlet which pits the cover and causes the gasket to fail. (I've seen the pitting every time I've changed one.)
3) Heat from the cat as mentioned above.
Seems that when the water pump is replaced, the torque applied to the timing cover during removal and installation can disturb the already weakened seal and a few more heat cycles leads to a leak.
Just something to live with if you own a Vulcan. Religious maintenance to the cooling system may forestall the problem, but if you keep the car long enough it seems destined to happen. At least the coolant generally leaks externally and not into the crankcase like the 3.8's.
Why would this happen?
I've heard several hypotheses:
1) Aluminum timing cover on an iron block. Differentials of thermal expansion tears the gasket over time.
2) Corrosion of the timing cover around the pump inlet/outlet which pits the cover and causes the gasket to fail. (I've seen the pitting every time I've changed one.)
3) Heat from the cat as mentioned above.
Seems that when the water pump is replaced, the torque applied to the timing cover during removal and installation can disturb the already weakened seal and a few more heat cycles leads to a leak.
Just something to live with if you own a Vulcan. Religious maintenance to the cooling system may forestall the problem, but if you keep the car long enough it seems destined to happen. At least the coolant generally leaks externally and not into the crankcase like the 3.8's.
When shops are hungry, they will not pass up work.
Making something is better than making nothing when the customer walks.
Get a total estimate, and bargain with them. They will not get mad at you. Be nice and simply ask.
Making something is better than making nothing when the customer walks.
Get a total estimate, and bargain with them. They will not get mad at you. Be nice and simply ask.
They must have quoted you an OEM pump. MSRP is US$131.18
Total bill was $215. Labor was $130 and part was $64. Happy with my experience. Everyone wins.
Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
Make sure they flush the cooling system really good. A clean cooling system can more then double the life of a water pump. All of my personal vehicles have coolant filters on them
Just curious, can you point me to a few examples of these filters?
Make sure they flush the cooling system really good. A clean cooling system can more then double the life of a water pump. All of my personal vehicles have coolant filters on them
Just curious, can you point me to a few examples of these filters?
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