Did I get took or what??

I'm3rd · Oct 9th, 2007, 08:21 PM

Did I get took?? I just had the water pump replaced on my wife's '94 Altima and I was knocked off my feet when she came home with the car and handed me a bill for $324 and change. I looked up the parts on the NAPA website and the shop was not too far out out of line on the cost for parts and coolant, but the labor charge was $200. How long does it take for a competent mechanic to change an Altima water pump? Auto repair shops around this little burg except the new car dealer shops usually charge about $60 an hour for labor, which would mean that it took over 3 hours to change out the pump. Can that be right? The bill doesn't list the hours but it seems high to me.

I haven't replaced a water pump myself on a car since I put one on my old Mercury Marquis 25 years ago , but even a bumbling amatuer like me did that job in not much over an hour. I realize that later model cars are harder to work on under the hood, but should it take 3 hours for a professional mechanic?

Altima SSS · Oct 9th, 2007, 11:57 PM

Around here shops charge almost $100/hr how ... it's insane. Suggest you call a couple of other dealers in you area and get a quote for the job and see what they say. I'm sure the dealer charged "by the book" on the job.

LONDONDERRY · Oct 10th, 2007, 08:50 AM

Did you bring it to a dealer or local mech. Was the water pump a guine. Nissan part or not?

I'm3rd · Oct 11th, 2007, 08:52 AM

It was installed by a independent shop that I have done business with before and have been satisfied with. He installed a rebuilt alternator for me last winter and when it went bad and ruined my battery he replaced both alternator and battery at no charge so I don't think he's a rip off artist. He also installed a distributor that I ordered over the internet and he only charged $25 for putting it on. That's why I was so surprised by what he charged to install the water pump. I just wondered if anybody else has had a water pump installed and paid that much. I didn't think it was that big a job to change it but maybe I'm wrong. the owner of the shop wasn't there when my wife picked up the car so I haven't talked to him yet. My wife says I should just let it go and forget about it, but I don't like being ripped off if that's what he did. But I guess she's right, the only other thing I can do when I have car trouble is take it to a Nissan dealer in Chattanooga 60 miles from here and I know for sure I will get ripped off there.