I took my car to the mechanic and he said it’s the water pump. Gotta get a new one. He estimates it should cost around 400.00. This means that I must stop putting it off and start looking at new cars. I can’t keep throwing 500.00 every couple of months to keep this old car running.
I worked from home today. I actually haven’t stopped working. Starting late and not doing any work over the weekend has left me with a crap load of work still left to do. UGH! I am tired. I ate like a cow today, grazing every few minutes on the leftovers and cookies in the kitchen. I am not proud of myself.
Tomorrow I have 2 or maybe 3 meetings in Philly. That third meeting I still need to confirm. It will be good to get out of the office and away from the computer screen. I am so tired of looking at Siebel.
Mostly labor, I suspect. A water pump for my current car runs a hundred bucks (even) plus four hours flat-rate, which brings it closer to $500 than I’d care to imagine.
Throwing $500 every couple of months beats throwing $500 or more EVERY month on a payment.
Water pumps fail, it’s not a sign the car is crap.
BTW, if Rob is even remotely competent with a wrench, a water pump is a cinch to change. Just go to your neighborhood auto supply store and buy a new or reconditioned pump and spend a couple hours changing it out.
Just saved yourself $325.
Water pump can be easy… or it can be hard.
I did one in an old car – took a few hours but totally manageable.
Newer cars with front-wheel drive, however, pose more of a challenge. If the timing belt is not properly adjusted you can cause yourself more grief.
Since I sold my old Olds, my working on car days are over 🙂 Now I just change the oil.
If you plan on keeping the car a while longer and your over 100K miles it usually makes sense having the timing belt replaced at the same time (assuming it not yet been replaced). It’s easier to do at the same time than as a separate job. Good luck.
It just depends on your car…. If its the Focus, the waterpump is pretty much SUPER easy to take out. Like 2 hose clamps, 4 bolts and then you reverse the procedure. Anyways 500 is pretty cheap. Even a El Cheapo car will run 15k which puts you at ~$300 a month, then upgraded insurance, etc. etc.
Just don’t be like me and have a 600hp monster that needs about 10-15k a year to keep running….
-J