'91 Legacy, 190K 2nd engine.

 

Car overheated, pulled off immediately and got a tow. Car would go 200 mi without need to top off coolant. Sub repair shop said leaky water pump, so replaced plus timing belt etc. Bill was $700. Three days later, same problem, now say blown head gasket, recommend getting rid of car, offered me $200 for it and tried to sell me used Subaru.

 

Questions:

1) Was this an ethical / correct repair action? Shouldn't the car have been pressure tested after the water pump replacement?

2) What should I do now? Car is in good shape otherwise; no white smoke etc.

3) Is it worth just torqueing the engine to see if it will seal; how much would that cost?

 

Thanks much.

 

If the engine is otherwise in good shape, I'd replace the headgaskets, get the heads resurfaced, and keep driving it. Unless it was badly overheated, you should be fine.

 

I'd be rather suspicious of that shop myself. A water pump for that car costs around $65, and if they did the timing belt at the same time, that's another $60 or so for parts. Their bill was probably a little steep for that repair. Offering you only $200 for the car seems a bit low as well...I'd say they're trying to make some make some money off of you.

I would take the car to another shop, unless they are making a super sweet offer. They screwed up hence why they want to make a deal, which may be homorable on thier part, but if i wanted to keep the car (especially since you did the right thing), i'ld fight for a refund on the labor at the very least, and have someone who knows what he is doing fix ir.

 

nipper

'91 Legacy, 190K 2nd engine.

 

Car overheated, pulled off immediately and got a tow. Car would go 200 mi without need to top off coolant. Sub repair shop said leaky water pump, so replaced plus timing belt etc. Bill was $700. Three days later, same problem, now say blown head gasket, recommend getting rid of car, offered me $200 for it and tried to sell me used Subaru.

 

Questions:

1) Was this an ethical / correct repair action? Shouldn't the car have been pressure tested after the water pump replacement?

2) What should I do now? Car is in good shape otherwise; no white smoke etc.

3) Is it worth just torqueing the engine to see if it will seal; how much would that cost?

 

Thanks much.

 

 

Ya, find a good independant Subaru mechanic in No Cal to fix it RIGHT. could have been a $3 thermostat and the dealer took you for $700!!

Ya, find a good independant Subaru mechanic in No Cal to fix it RIGHT. could have been a $3 thermostat and the dealer took you for $700!!

 

Well, it was a supposedly good independent mechanic and the thermostat was replaced. And cooling fluid is leaking, albeit rather slowly. Appreciate yours and other comments.

if all they did was water pump and timing belt,new coolant.YOU GOT RIPPED OFF. first thing i would do is demand that they fix it,if they decline this is what civil court is for.dont give up, make demands. ed