I think my water pump is about to go out, and a local guy wants $300 for parts + labor. He's also gonna change the tstat and coolant. From RockAuto I calculated the parts and coolant to run about $80, so is $210 in labor high? Is this a difficult DIY?

Once this is out of the way, gonna be putting the dak up on craigslist

 

I've replaced water pumps on other vehicles. I believe this is a DIY, you just have to take apart stuff and put it back together. Probably the fan shroud, then the fan would have to come off, then unbolt the water pump....clean the mating surfaces, install new gasket/pump with RTV (never hurts) and bolt it up. $210 for labor sounds about right if it takes 3 hours at $70/hr, but I would find out the labor rate and how many hours the shop manual says it takes, thats what they base the labor rate on.

 

Its really simple and will only cost you the price of the new pump. Mine is a GMB and works better than my stock one did. Simply drain the cooling system, remove the fan, remove the serpentine belt, unbolt the old one.

 

If you have the viscous fan assembly that has only holes on the water pump without bolts that you can put a screwdriver through to keep from turning when you try to loosen the big 37mm nut( may be 36mm) not sure. The best way I have found was using a air chisel. I spent a lot of time trying to get that nut loose. When I finally used the air chisel. I couldn't believe how quick it went. Worked right away. Downhill from there.

 

Should only cost you the pump, coolant, gasket sealant and your time. Maybe an inlet tube not sure of your model. Under $100.00

 

what exactly did you use the air chisel on to remove a nut??

 

Well I've got an e-fan, so wouldn't have to worry about removing that. But I'm sketchin out with this mechanic, he said a water pump costs $80, and a tstat costs $90.. I looked on rock auto and those parts should cost wayyyy less..

 

Tstat at 90 bucks? wow the 180 degree thermostat costs less then that! lol like cost me 40 bucks! lol rip off