Cambelt changed, two months later water pump fails!

[gwd]

Hi

I had a new cambelt fitted on my passat 2.0 130 (53 plate 60,000 miles) in March 09. The main dealer did not advise a water pump change and the pump failed yesterday and my car is over-heating. The dealer could have easily changed the pump during the cam-belt change, do you think they are liable for poor customer care? They want to charge me full whack again to do the pump.


Thanks

Gareth

[kite]

Shame you didn't ask them to change the pump.

[snapdragon]

People 'in the know' will advise to replace the waterpump at the same time, but the procedure doesn't include this, so there in no comeback.

[gwd]

I know what your saying but the main dealer should be "in the know" and the mechanic mentioned it's common for the plastic impeller to go on the pump. I'll be complaining to them about their lack of good advice, they should have given me the choice to replace the pump, apparently new tensioners can put extra strain on an old pump?

[Crasher]

It is something I insist on doing, in fact on cars with a timing belt driven water pump, I refuse to do the job unless it can be proved to me that for some reason the pump is very new and I only use genuine pumps now. It is almost unforgivable that the dealer did not advise you to have the pump changed, most knowledgeable companies would insist on it and to me it is virtually negligent.

[808]

Had lots of bad experince with main dealers. take your money and screw you. Dont go back. find alocal decent garage that is recomended by some 1 you trust. cant belive they didnt change your water pump. what about the other drive belts for a/c etc.

[jonburt88]

Just had my cambelt (1.9 TDi PD 130) and water pump changed by a local garage (x VW) he recommended to change the water pump. It only cost another £50, well worth it. Mate at work had his done at main dealer they didn't even mention the water pump. He paid £150 more than me.

[snapdragon]

Just write a letter to the gaffer. I wrote to my local dealer 2-3 years ago when they kept returning my car with the same fault and charging me again for something else, and they sent me a cheque and apology straightaway, they also offered to pay for the additional labour that was required at the independent garage in order to spot that they has transposed two vacuum connections, but I didn't take it any further.

[gwd]

Hi

They changed cambelt (full kit) plus v-belt for £209. I think writing a letter is a good idea. I'll let you know the outcome.cheers

[Crasher]

£209 all in! They must be desperate, that is £91 for the belt kit and £118 for 2.5 hours book time work which is really a three hour job but by the book that’s £47.20 an hour labour at a main dealer, they are in trouble!