Water Pump and Timing belt Job
11-08-2011, 12:11 AM
#16
+ 1 on Zims. I did both of my cars (944 & 951) wtr pumps and all front seals last year using parts all bought from them. Fast service and their people know what parts are req,d to complete the job. If you happen to not ask for a req'd part they will ask you about it. good people.
11-08-2011, 10:54 AM
#17
Race Car
Thread Starter
Heres is the question. Would you source your own parts from Zim's and then take it to the mechanic or would you just have them buy the parts? The balance belt and water pump are about another $100 more than Zim's I would say at least from what I can tell. But with Zim's it seems you get the rollers with the belts.
11-08-2011, 10:57 AM
#18
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Most shops markup parts as part of their profit. A customer supplied part can also cause pain when something goes wrong, even if unrelated to the specific part. Double the labor, double the fun!
11-08-2011, 11:02 AM
#19
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With Zim's you can get belts with or without rollers, it's your choice. Their "kits" aren't pre-built or anything, they are just suggested groups of products.
That said, if your mechanic is telling you that two belts and a water pump costs $100 more than two belts, a water pump, and a set of rollers, then he's charging you way too much. The other concern is that your mechanic is probably sourcing generic aftermarket parts, which is fine for seals and maybe the belts, but NOT fine for the water pump. There have been plenty of horror stories for generic rebuilt water pumps for north of $200 that promptly fail. That's an expensive mistake.
In addition to the front seals, o-rings, and a couple mylar washers to do the job right... you may also need the oil pump drive gear and balance shaft collars if any of them have a groove where the seal contacts them. Replacing the "seals" is cheap insurance when you're already in that far... the last thing you want is to go that deep for belts and a water pump, and not install new seals while you're in there. Talk about double the labor. Unless you know that the seals have been replaced in the past 25k miles or so and there is absolutely NO sign of any oil seepage once the covers are off, the seals should be replaced.
That said, if your mechanic is telling you that two belts and a water pump costs $100 more than two belts, a water pump, and a set of rollers, then he's charging you way too much. The other concern is that your mechanic is probably sourcing generic aftermarket parts, which is fine for seals and maybe the belts, but NOT fine for the water pump. There have been plenty of horror stories for generic rebuilt water pumps for north of $200 that promptly fail. That's an expensive mistake.
In addition to the front seals, o-rings, and a couple mylar washers to do the job right... you may also need the oil pump drive gear and balance shaft collars if any of them have a groove where the seal contacts them. Replacing the "seals" is cheap insurance when you're already in that far... the last thing you want is to go that deep for belts and a water pump, and not install new seals while you're in there. Talk about double the labor. Unless you know that the seals have been replaced in the past 25k miles or so and there is absolutely NO sign of any oil seepage once the covers are off, the seals should be replaced.
11-08-2011, 12:18 PM
#22
Race Car
Thread Starter
11-10-2011, 01:28 AM
#29
To anwswer the question about if I would buy the parts and take them to the shop or not for installation, that all depends on what type of relationship you have with your shop owner. I can do that at the shop that I use. I also buy parts from the shop for some of my home projects. Dont just show with the parts, ask 1st and see what his response is. Asking always helps both parties to understand whats expected from both sides. Good luck!!!
