I need help...I need my waterpump changed out TODAY....a shop is charging me $370 for a brand new one with parts and labor...is that reasonable...i know i should try doing it myself but I have no tools at all....what should be a good price for a brand new one (not reman)

 

that isn't to bad. You can buy one from summit for about 190. that would leave you 180 for the install.

 

Take that $370 invest in good set of tools, get a new waterpump and do it your self. Very easy job and you would still have it done today.
I am not sure what a good shop price would be though.

 

i calld 2 other places and they r charging me 170 max! That sux cuz the guy that gave me the $370 estimate is family too....

 

another shop will replace my water pump brand new and a rebuilt radiator for $393.00

 

No need to change out the radiator unless there is a leak they very very seldom go bad on our cars and are enough cooling for about 500 hp.

As for the waterpump a pump can be as cheap as 50 bucks likely but it could just a piece of crap remanufactured unit which will be more likely to leak. Then unit in summit for 190 or whatever it costs is brandnew from GM and is pretty much the best you can get in terms of a stock replacement part.

Figure about 2 hours labor max which is typically around 70 bucks you have a decent quote. Even if a shop gets the pump from cost at GM it is about the same cost.

Reason for getting a good pump is that if the pump leaks bad it can take out the opti and just cost you more money later.

This is not a hard job to tackle if you have any mechanical ability. It is pretty straight forward and should take a very novice person about 3 hours with a lunch break.

 

Wow I really got ripped off. I took my car to the shop because I knew it needed a headgasket. They said my waterpump was leaking so my dad told them to go ahead and replace that ($700) Then they called and said my car wasent starting anymore and my fuel pump was dead. So we just got it towed back home and are doing the fuel pump install ourselves and then it's going to another shop for the head gasket.

 

Typically for a good pump at a shop it will cost you about $350 since they take dealer cost and add 10-30% and then their labor rates. Most have no clue which model cars are labor intensive. Ours in this case for this problem is not that long. All you need is a 15mm socket mainly to take out the bolts and off comes the pump, no belts even since it is cam driven. You do have to take off the air cleaner assembly though