Cost for Water Pump Changeout - '92 Dodge 3500

[lbailey47]

About 10 - 15 yr. ago, my daughter was driving my '92 Dodge 3500 Ram Diesel, automatic when the water pump started leaking. I had her leave it at her apartment, and the next day, I found a repair shop about a mile away to do the replacement. I was working full-time & didn't have time to mess with it.



Bottom line, the shop charged $800+ for the changeout. I've always thought that was high but the breakdown was about 15 miles from home so I didn't consider towing it home for local repair or repairing it myself. Years gone by, I've done water pump replacement on a variety of vehicles so I know it's not rocket science. In fact I had the water pump replaced on my '04 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel & I think it was less than $300 & some other minor stuff done, too.



Comments?

 

[cerberusiam]

The water pump is $40 thru Genos, I'd say they had a good markup on that one.



The cummins part is probably more but as easy as it is, waaayyyy high.

 

[jwinnie]

Wow. I'm sorry but I think they took you pretty good on that one. It takes longer to drain the coolant then it does to change the pump. It's just two bolts.



Live and learn. You did what you had to do at the time.

 

[lbailey47]

Yep, I no longer live in the Corpus Christi area where this occurred (out Airline Drive) but I definitely was burned by that shop! Guess they figured I'd never be back their way again, and they were right.

Chalk it up to experience.

 

[Greenleaf]

Geno's has Cummins water pumps for $40. 00!!!! ?????



I must have missed that. Where are they made, China?



The Cummins pump is 140+ last I looked at the reginal Cummins dist. in Columbus.

 

[WCPoe]

Genos carry sells great quality stuff

Genos usually carries only the better quality stuff because of the feedback they get from the members.



That's a Gates pump they carry. DODGE DIESEL WATER PUMP ('98. 5-'07)-Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage

 

[Midnite]

When my wife and I drove down through Nevada we lost the water pump on our 1992 just north of Las Vegas. It was 2002 and I had just become a TDR member, but didn't know anything about my truck yet. The wonderful 5 star dealer in Las Vegas which did the work for us happily charged over $900. When I got back home and looked up changing the water pump, I just about cried. I'm sure you can imagine how that helped formed my opinion of dealers.

It will be a cold day in hell before I ever again take a vehicle into a Dodge dealership for anything.

 

[cerberusiam]

I must have missed that. Where are they made, China?

Gates water pumps, could very well be made in China these days. The Gates units seem to work pretty wel and are actually heavier in places than the OE.

 

[R C Cola]

Gates

I would bet money "Gates" is also made in China. Snap On is now made in China I hear from the mechanics.

 

[JLEONARD]

 would bet money "Gates" is also made in China.

Yea and even if they slap a "Made in USA" sticker on it (as in assembled in the USA) I'll bet most of the major components are from China.

Most of the companies play that game.



Anyone have the labor hours per the book for that job? Greenleaf?

 

[SRadke]

No matter what the pump costs, the B series is the easiest water pump I have ever changed. Start to finnish in 20 minutes. That includes refilling the radiator.

-Scott

 

[JLEONARD]

Start to finnish in 20 minutes.

Not contesting that, but I'll bet the labor book has it in for more than 1/3 hour.

That's what I'm looking for. The "book" hours.

 

[BIGNASTY]

When my wife and I drove down through Nevada we lost the water pump on our 1992 just north of Las Vegas. It was 2002 and I had just become a TDR member, but didn't know anything about my truck yet. The wonderful 5 star dealer in Las Vegas which did the work for us happily charged over $900. When I got back home and looked up changing the water pump, I just about cried. I'm sure you can imagine how that helped formed my opinion of dealers.



It will be a cold day in hell before I ever again take a vehicle into a Dodge dealership for anything.

Dealerships are just crooks with wrenches

 

[BSeyler]

Dealerships are just crooks with wrenches

Not always true. My wife's family has worked with a dealer in a small town for over 50 years. Her dad farmed and had a cattle buying operation. He probably bought close to 100 vehicles over the years - trucks, pickups, and cars. The service has always been good on anything they have done. They are very reputable. He would not have gone back if they had ever been dishonest.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Not always true. My wife's family has worked with a dealer in a small town for over 50 years. Her dad farmed and had a cattle buying operation. He probably bought close to 100 vehicles over the years - trucks, pickups, and cars. The service has always been good on anything they have done. They are very reputable. He would not have gone back if they had ever been dishonest.

Thats true I should rephrase the statement to, The dealerships I have had dealings with are just crooks with wrenches.

 

[JLEONARD]

The dealerships I have had dealings with are just crooks with wrenches

I would pretty much say that as well about the dealerships.



I have to be careful though as my son owns/operates an independant repair shop.

 

[Bluebird]

Replaced witha Cummins...

When I replaced mine after 269K I looked at one from O'Reilly's (oh, no names please), it was Asian made, looked right However, I only wanted to do the job once. Bought a Cummins part, at least 3-times the price.

Question: Has anyone had a poor experience with the Cummins water pumped, replaced?



Thanks, Patrick

 

[Greenleaf]

I don't do anything by the book.



In the transit bus, it takes 20 minutes to drain the coolant, then another ten to loosen off the tensioner (with two people that is) Pulling the pump and installing the new, probably another twenty. Refilling the engine block; twenty. Reinstalling the belt with the help of the apprentice, ten.



All that work warrents nothing but Cummins parts. I have never had a replacement go south.



I bought the NAPA for my personal truck.



One tip to all. If you have a fresh pump and tensioner use the NAPA HD high miler belt. by Gates. They are green in color. You won't wear it out. I had become fed-up with R&Ring the stupid "regular service" gates belts on these transit buses. The green belts don't show any wear after years of use.

 

[DBF]

It also depends on where you are, etc.



My 92 snapped the water pump shaft in the boons in Texas while towing the 5er. That ate the belt and put us on the side of the road. My emergency folks put a guy onto us who came with a fully-equipped shop in his trailer. That's his secret - no building, he does it all mobile out of a trailer.



He didn't have the correct info from the emergency folks so he had to put down his trailer and drive 45 miles to get the replacement pump. He installed it, with my spare belt, filled the radiator with antifreeze, and away I went.



Charge? $450 for something that took him all afternoon and 90 miles round-trip.



I'll take that anytime.



Regards, DBF