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I have a 1996 Holden Astra diesel.

At 95,000km I had the cambelt and tensioner replaced. At 100,000 the water pump seized and the cam belt slipped which caused extensive damage to the valve lifters.

The garage concerned have had to remove the cylinder head to repair the damage.

From research I have done on the internet, it appears that normally the repairer will suggest that the water pump be replaced when the belt and tensioner are renewed because of a different load being applied to a well used water pump bearing.

Replacing the water pump at the same time as the cambelt eliminates the risk of damage and further cost of repeating the same job all over again.

My question is, should I have been advised of this situation (which is costing me another $3000) at the time of replacing the cambelt?

The garage has quoted three days labour just to remove and replace the head and replace the cambelt and pump.

This appears to be a long time for a relatively small job.

Robin

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 23 December 2009

It is usual, and good trade practice to replace the water pump when doing a cambelt replacement.

The reason being to avoid situations such as your own. While a water pump will generally last for 100,000km, it is a big call to ask it to go to 200,000km without problems (when the cam belt is due to be replaced again).

It would be most unusual (and not good workshop practice) for the garage not to have given you the option of replacing the water pump when doing the cambelt job, and to advise you accordingly.

As far as the repair is concerned, it is not a small job and depending on the extent of the damage, it is quite possible for it to take 3 days.

However, if it is the same garage that did the original job, then you may have good reason to argue that you should only be paying for the water pump and nothing else. Or pay for parts only and receive no labour costs as a compromise.