[Bwb1179]

Hello all,

Noticed the other day that I am leaking coolant where the lines meet the water pump, I guess Id call that the water pump seal? Sorry I really dont know too much about that area of the car. I just wanted to know what to expect? Its going to the dealer tomorrow (Friday) to be diagnosed. My first (and very hopeful) guess was that it would be something covered under the water pump/seal warranty of 10yr/150,000 miles? But again, im not certain.

Anything I should know going into this?

Thanks. Will update when I find out more after tomorrow.

 

[Bwb1179]

Update #1:

Water pump failed, apparently putting metal into my coolant as well and the leak ruined the drive belt. So all have to be replaced, luckily the water pump is covered under warranty. New belt and coolant flush run about $400~

 

[Phalanx]

why are they charging you for the flush? should be covered under warranty as the cause for the flush is a failed warrantied part.

 

[Bwb1179]

why are they charging you for the flush? should be covered under warranty as the cause for the flush is a failed warrantied part.

I was told by the dealer that the part and labor for the failed part is covered by the warranty but anything otherwise is not.

 

[mike12]

why are they charging you for the flush? should be covered under warranty as the cause for the flush is a failed warrantied part.

I agree with Phalanx. The flush is collateral damage caused by the failed water pump and should be covered under warranty. Agree to pay for the cost of the new belt, but argue the cost to flush. I would take your concern up the chain of command to get resolved. Honestly, you can even argue to include the belt, but use that as your negotiating tool to have them pay for the flush. There should be no labor charge to replace the belt because the old one has to come off to replace the water pump. Good luck.

 

[ChevyGuy]

There should be no labor charge to replace the belt because the old one has to come off to replace the water pump. Good luck.

Minor disagreement on that point. To replace the belt, you have to "open" (remove) a motor mount as the mount goes through the middle of the belt. Because of that, the labor to change the belt is likely significant. I highly doubt if all that is necessary to replace the water pump since a good belt could be slipped off and set aside without removing it from the engine bay.

 

[mike12]

Sorry, I did not realize that about the motor mount. My Cruze is a 1.8L and no obstructions to remove the serpentine belt. But WOW, I see now that there is more to it on the 1.4L. I would argue more now that they pay for everything if in fact it all needs done as the dealer says. Thanks ChevyGuy for the correction.

 

[Bwb1179]

Sorry, I did not realize that about the motor mount. My Cruze is a 1.8L and no obstructions to remove the serpentine belt. But WOW, I see now that there is more to it on the 1.4L. I would argue more now that they pay for everything if in fact it all needs done as the dealer says. Thanks ChevyGuy for the correction.

So the flush and belt change were completed this past Friday and it has already been paid for. Is there room to go back and disagree on the payment for a flush after it has already been paid?

Thanks everyone for all your responses. Much appreciated.

 

[mike12]

So the flush and belt change were completed this past Friday and it has already been paid for. Is there room to go back and disagree on the payment for a flush after it has already been paid?

Thanks everyone for all your responses. Much appreciated.

You can still try and for $400 it will be worth making a few phone calls or sending a few e-mails. My suggestion would be to speak to the dealer again and see what they can do. Tell them that you spoke to friends and that their experience was that any damage caused by the warrantied part would also be covered as part of the warranty repair (because you would not have had to do those repairs if the water pump had not failed). If they are not willing to resolve your concern, I suggest trying Chevrolet customer service and explain to them what happened.

 

[HatchLifeRS]

Minor disagreement on that point. To replace the belt, you have to "open" (remove) a motor mount as the mount goes through the middle of the belt. Because of that, the labor to change the belt is likely significant. I highly doubt if all that is necessary to replace the water pump since a good belt could be slipped off and set aside without removing it from the engine bay.

Yet to replace the water pump you're supposed to remove that mount. I don't know of anyone (I of course could be wrong) that has changed a water pump without removing that mount. So with the mount out of the way and the belt removed there should be no labour to replace the belt as there is no extra effort needed.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Bwb1179]

You can still try and for $400 it will be worth making a few phone calls or sending a few e-mails. My suggestion would be to speak to the dealer again and see what they can do. Tell them that you spoke to friends and that their experience was that any damage caused by the warrantied part would also be covered as part of the warranty repair (because you would not have had to do those repairs if the water pump had not failed). If they are not willing to resolve your concern, I suggest trying Chevrolet customer service and explain to them what happened.

The dealer didnt want to resolve the issue so I contacted Chevy Customer Service and they also told me that none of the other repairs were to be covered under the water pump warranty. I told them that I wouldnt mind paying for the new belt if it werent for the pricey flush that needed to be done. I was then told that "This is sadly the final resolution to this"

 

[mike12]

The dealer didnt want to resolve the issue so I contacted Chevy Customer Service and they also told me that none of the other repairs were to be covered under the water pump warranty. I told them that I wouldnt mind paying for the new belt if it werent for the pricey flush that needed to be done. I was then told that "This is sadly the final resolution to this"

Sorry to hear they did not want to listen or compromise to satisfy your concern. It may be worth being persistent and stressing that the flush and belt were both (according to the dealer) a result of the failed water pump. Otherwise, GM should have recalled and repaired the water pump to avoid further damage, versus penalizing the customer to pay for additional repairs caused by the water pump. It is always tougher after the fact to argue, but as they say "the squeaky wheel gets the grease."