Ask an expert
![craigd](themes/aaAle/images/interface/profile-pic-placeholder.47cf740a.png)
I have just been charged $1000 to replace a cambelt in my car. They also replaced the water pump without consent saying it was standard practise with this type of car when replacing the cambelt.
Is this a reasonable cost.? Should the water pump have been replaced? How many hours labour would i expect to pay for?
![ABayliss](themes/aaAle/images/interface/profile-pic-placeholder.47cf740a.png)
It seems that there was a breakdown in communication between the repairer and yourself at the time of booking.
It is good practise, and recommended, to replace the water pump when the cambelt is done, but if you weren't expecting such a large bill, it seems that this wasn't explained to you.
You don't say how many kilometres your car has travelled, but as it is now 8 years old, assuming this is your first cambelt replacement (at around 100,000km) the time is well overdue, as it's usually recommended at 5 years.
As the waterpump is driven off the cambelt, in the event that the pump seizes up, it will snap the cambelt. Also, in the event of a water pump leak, the entire job (including the cambelt) needs to be done again.
For these reasons and the fact that without changing it, you would be expecting the waterpump to last perhaps 16 years and 200,000km, it is definitely good trade practise to replace the water pump.
I don't have an issue with the job that's been done or the price, however the lack of communication and explination is of concern.
If there's a lesson to be learnt, it's to ask for a price up front.