Does this seem a fair price for a new water pump?

[KentishS2]

Car went to garage for a pressure test and they have said it needs a new water pump at a cost of £90 plus labour and VAT. ......It's a 2.9 S2

Unfortunately I don't have time to work on the car myself at the moment. Just spent £360 with them for other work two weeks ago. Has anyone had one fitted recently, is my garage quoting a good price?

[KentishS2]

So ........approx. £180 fitted.

Is that a good price for a new water pump (garage using Ford genuine pump)?

[KentishS2]

No replies, so I guess that is a good price for fitting a new water pump.

[Hoover33]

Sounds in the right field as what I paid... had mine replaced 2 months ago at Offord....
I will have a look when I get home

[KentishS2]

Thanks for that, I guess it sounds about right at £30-40 per hour labour at my local garage but the car has been running away with the pennies a bit lately, almost £600 in two weeks on mechanical maintenence only which is a bit gutting as I'm also trying to make improvements. It's nice to see some progress for the money you spend.

I had a phone around at lunch time and sourced a new pump for £44 and I'll have a go at getting it in the car this weekend. I'm hoping that it is reasonably easy to do. Famous last words!

Cheers,
Kevin

[stephen pook]

I guess it's whether the garage source the part from a main ford dealer or you get an alternative from somewhere else. I've not had to replace any ancillary bits yet (I've only had mine for a couple of months) but many years ago I put a non VW water pump on my mark 1 GTI and that was fine until I sold the car about 25k later. Maybe someone else out ther has done the same on their S.

Anyway... good luck and hope it works out OK. Keep us posted.

Cheers,

Pookie.

[KentishS2]

Thanks Stephen, I know what you mean (you pay your money and take your choice).

This non-Ford water pump is marketed by First Line who I used to deal with when I worked for Lucas some years ago and they were pretty good, we had very few warranty claims as I recall. So, I'm hoping it will be reliable.

I have only done around 2500 miles in 2 years!

[Colin Blues2]

I think there's something in the bible about water pumps and two different sorts being fitted to the V6 that require different gaskets. I can't remember the details and the bible is back at home. Best to check you have the right one.

Colin

[KentishS2]

Hi Colin,

There is just the one listed in the alternative parts list (Motaquip VWP426) but I will proceed fairly cautiously making sure I don't destroy any new packaging!

Sods law will be that mine is the "other one"!

I'll update the site with my progress.

Cheers,
Kevin

[dern]

KentishS2 said:

Car went to garage for a pressure test and they have said it needs a new water pump at a cost of £90 plus labour and VAT. ......It's a 2.9 S2 Unfortunately I don't have time to work on the car myself at the moment. Just spent £360 with them for other work two weeks ago. Has anyone had one fitted recently, is my garage quoting a good price?

No, it's bloody outrageous. It's absolutely p*ss easy to do (assuming none of the bolts snap) and the waterpump I bought for mine from a factors cost 50 quid incl.

Still, I expect every garage will charge you about the same.

Mark

[KentishS2]

Cheers Mark, I decided to go for a generic pump from a motor factor and fit it myself too.

Kevin

[dern]

KentishS2 said:

Cheers Mark, I decided to go for a generic pump from a motor factor and fit it myself too.

Check if the pump has a gasket in the box before getting home and finding it hasn't. If it hasn't ask the factor to recommend a suitable liquid gasket. Stick loads of pentrating fluid on the bolts the night before and do up the bolts with a torque wrench... you won't believe how little torque is needed.

Mine were 'torqued up' to two grunts and an ungh by the last meat-head who did the job so subsequently one of the bolt heads broke off. I could get the rest of the bolt out with mole grips but if any of yours break off flush it'll be a bit more work but that's the only risk imo. If any of them do then you could drill it out and helicoil the hole (I guess) or try to remove the bolt with some other method. The point is, however, that because this risk exists don't start the job sunday afternoon if you need the car of monday morning.

Good luck.

Mark

PS. While you're in there you may as well change the thermostat too for the price of a pint.

>> Edited by dern on Tuesday 18th May 14:22

[KentishS2]

Thanks Mark, that's is good advice.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Kevin

[Hoover33]

Sorry I did not post last night, it cost me at garage

to replace water pump incl removing broken studs, retapping holes, and coolant £183.80 (including VAT)

Ouch .... this is the first time I have actually worked it out

Simple breakdown

Water pump £70
Coolant £22
Gasket £ 5
Labour £60
VAT £27

[pies]

£22 for coolant thats a bit pricey

[dern]

KentishS2 said:

Thanks Mark, that's is good advice. I'll let you know how it goes.

You're welcome but make sure you're happy with the consequences just in case a bolt does break

Another top tip... take the belts off before you go to the factors and get some new ones. They should be able to match them up much more accurately before you've shredded them and run them over after they break en-route somewhere. Then you can put the new ones on and sling the old ones in the boot as spares.

Good luck,

Mark

[KentishS2]

All good points to bear in mind, thank you.

I picked up the water pump last night from the motor factor and their supplier had sent an alternative to the First Line recon pump, it was an AP Lockheed which was the same price and came with a new gasket, so that was a bit of a result!

I took your advice and got a thermostat too and it all came to just £55 inc VAT.

[Hoover33]

Yep that what the invoice says... never really looked at it before 3.something units from memory.