6 Week wait for a water pump?

[-Z-]

Just been told that my car needs gaskets and a new water pump under warranty as advised by vauxhall themselves.

Bad point is that apparently the water pump is on back order until the end of August. Is this right? How can I go about hurrying this up if possible.

I've already asked my usual dealer if they have any and waiting to hear back.

Find it slightly difficult to believe that Vauxhall have not got a single pump in stock anywhere in the country........

PS anyone ever had any luck getting a better courtesy car than a corsa/astra (e.g VXR range?) for longterm off road periods? Was planning a european road trip........

PPS was planning on a VXR8 as sprog on the way but now seriously considering RS4/M3 instead

[nike 5]

I have an new/unused one sitting in my garage at moment.
My engine will not be in a position to be started for a while yet.
You could replace at a later date, to get you mobile sooner?
Assuming it is compatable (LS2 engine).

[rmmackfc]

I got a Saab Aero for the two weeks mine was off the road.
That was via Enterprise, the manager just said they try to give you a more premium car.

[le sarthe]

Had a problem with the wife's jeep this week, called their home assistance arrived in 40 minutes identified teh problem arranged a hire car we were asked what car manual or automatic and when we said we just wanted anything they were insistent that they would get us a like for like car within the time frame we needed it - all doen and sorted.

My experience was that apart from one or two of the known dealers VX have not got a clue about customer service. Unforetunately people who pay £25k + and ceratinly nearer 40k for a car do tend to expect a bit more than lomg waiting backorders for routine parts, given the runaround etc.

[stevieturbo]

You could get a water pump via the US in less than a week. No problem whatsoever, and it will probably cost a fraction of what Vauxhall will be charging.

[Well_Fans]

for that matter could get an electric pump and gain a few ponies - 1 less ancilliary item to drive with the belt

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Well_Fans said:

for that matter could get an electric pump and gain a few ponies - 1 less ancilliary item to drive with the belt

and extra load on the alternator and an electrical issue will kill your engine. Electric motors will wear and are more fragile than a good solid mechaical lump.
Never mind the losses of mechanical - eleectric - mechanical energy conversion.

The only advantage I can see of electric water pumps is you can control the engine temperature independantly of the engine speed. So you don't get a huge cooling effect when you drop a few gears and floor it.
However if the coolant system is set up correctly and the stat is in the correct place then this effect can be largely accounted for.

[-Z-]

Thanks for all the advice and kind offer of a pump!

However, since it's under warranty I'm really really loath to pay for something that I shouldn't have too.

By the time it's projected to come back they'll have had it 7 weeks, basically all of summer! Completely unacceptable for a car that was £38k new.

I know that the pumps probably only cost around £130 from the US, is it really that difficult for Vauxhall to keep 10 in stock?

[caspy]

In Vauxhalls defence, the supply agreement they have with Holden/HSV insists that they source all parts through Holden/HSV. Vauxhall's hands are tied, the 'blame' etc really lies with the aussies with any of the parts supply issues.

Before I get shot, just posting the facts!!

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I understand that the parts need to be sourced through Oz which is fare enough however I do think stock of some key items such as water pumps should be held in the UK.

Isn't there Euro reg's about supply of parts and acceptable delays?

[caspy]

I beleive that the aussies have supplier issues, I am sure that Vauxhall would love to be able to have the stuff on the shelf, but my recent experience suggests that they ask, but dont get.

[stevieturbo]

We've had a summer to enjoy ? lol

[Vlad the Impaler]

I am also being F***ed about by Vauxhall BUT I am waiting for parts for a 4 month old VXR8!

If they can't supply bits for a new car I feel sorry for people with an older version.

As HSV/Walkinshaw are keen to sell us upgrades maybe they could put some effort into getting the parts to keep the cars they make on the road?

[anonymous-user]

Mate, try calling these guys: www.motorbodies.com/index.aspx

I don't know if it;s just because they are in Luton (the home of Vauxhall) but I've found them brilliant for finding parts. They got me a new gear box in 24 hours & fitted it. Cannot hurt to call them?

[VXR_Daz]

Would be interesting to see how this affects sales if the motoring press ran an article on Vauxhall not being able to get parts for a car that is on sale now.

I am surprised that Stu hasn't commented at all as I know he reads these forums.

[vxrphantom]

Managed to get hold of a Vectra VXR when my ro was having gearbox replaced (7weeks+). However I then also managed to pick up a speeding ticket on it the week after I was returned to vauxhall....sorted now probably some T!*T taking it back to head office.

[-Z-]

Really appreciate all the advice guys, yeah crap summer so far, but with 3 weeks off work coming up was hoping to swan around in something better than my 10yr old Saab beater!

Also I think the missus' Cooper S is getting fed up of me pretending it's a Monaro......

Will try Motorbodies tomorrow, thanks for the tip

[RB CV8]

Vlad the Impaler said:

If they can't supply bits for a new car I feel sorry for people with an older version.

In some respects we may be better off. We may have to pay for the parts if our cars are out of warranty, but we are not tied in to waiting for them to arrive through the Vauxhall network; as many of the posts on this forum indicate, there are other options.

Having said that, I have heard of owners paying for their own replacement parts & labour on cars under warranty rather than let a dealer near them. I'd consider doing the same depending on the circumstances. Wholly unacceptable situation though.