Maintenance and Upkeep Discussion HHR maintenance tips ranging from oil change intervals to brake pads and everything in between.

Waterpump replacement

Old Apr 10, 2015 | 07:52 PM
  #1  
LITEON's Avatar
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From: Virginia
Waterpump replacement

Hello everybody,

the waterpump of my 2008 HHR SS is broken. I took the car to a local repair shop and got an estimate of round about 1500$.

Is this price normal? If not, what is a normal price for this repair job?

Thanks
Old Apr 10, 2015 | 08:05 PM
  #2  
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That is too much!

Are you near Fredericksburg? I can do it in my garage for $300.
Old Apr 10, 2015 | 08:08 PM
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I'm located near Leesburg! Might be a problem to get the car to Fredericksburg.
Old Apr 10, 2015 | 08:27 PM
  #4  
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65 miles a six pack a Saturday.

I'm not near my Mitchell at the moment, but 2-3 hours labor is reasonable, the last one I did gave me a couple of problems so it took me 4 hours. A new timing chain is 4 hours, no where near that much work. The part is less than $100, closer to $60. The special tool is $50, I already have one.
Old Apr 10, 2015 | 10:07 PM
  #5  
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Since the water pumps on these cars are really durable, who diagnosed that you have a bad one ?
I would want to be sure before I tore into it only to find that's not the problem. So, what are the symptoms ?
Old Apr 11, 2015 | 06:41 AM
  #6  
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The guy who did it is a good technician. I trust him. The car overheated when I was on the highway and lost water.
Old Apr 11, 2015 | 03:52 PM
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At prices like that! you may want to choose another friend. Like Don:). You can be my friend any day Don!! Kudos my friend
Old Apr 11, 2015 | 05:14 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by black Tara
At prices like that! you may want to choose another friend. Like Don:). You can be my friend any day Don!! Kudos my friend
For you it's 3,000 miles and 2 six packs.

It also depends on what the guy is planning to do; A new chain set and water pump I can see $1500.

I just checked Mitchell, they say 4.5 hours to R&R the water pump! If I could do it in 2 hours the first time, The second time took longer for other reasons. I just don't know what they are talking about doing. They also claim $250 for an OEM pump (that is ridiculous).
Old May 16, 2023 | 11:26 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by donbrew
For you it's 3,000 miles and 2 six packs.

It also depends on what the guy is planning to do; A new chain set and water pump I can see $1500.

I just checked Mitchell, they say 4.5 hours to R&R the water pump! If I could do it in 2 hours the first time, The second time took longer for other reasons. I just don't know what they are talking about doing. They also claim $250 for an OEM pump (that is ridiculous).

It is ridiculous and scandalous. Since when was it any different? Unless you know somebody you're gonna get taken to the bank PERiOD!!! The auto industry is a slime bucket scumbag squeezed industry. It needs to be regulated. A minor fix can leave an individual without wheels all because of greedy filthy rich POS's who charge out the ass to make repairs.
Old May 16, 2023 | 05:14 PM
  #10  
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It’s an 8 year old thread but , a timing and balance shaft chains and water pump change took me 3 1/2 hours , I’ve done a couple of dozen of these , I have a procedure to do the job and have the tools and torque values memorized. But it’s a daunting job for a first timer with minimal equipment to tackle.

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