mazda protege 2002 repair cost for water pump: is $450 a fair price

If their estimate is itemized and written, take it to another for comparison. Before knowing the diagnosis, and seeing the itemized estimate, they have to see the vehicle if you cant give them anything to go on. What they might be able to do is call for parts estimate and look up the labor, then let you compare similar estimates. They would explain, their estimate would be contingent upon seeing the vehicle, but you could perhaps return to the first shop with the counter offer and discuss a reduction.

If you thought your chances were better elsewhere and were mechanically inclined you could force the thermostat open, jumper the cooling fan and keep adding water as required to make the distance to a shop that told you what you wanted to hear. If you have AAA you could push the car out along the street and call for help towing it to the second place.

A shop that works on THAT engine in all their cars ? They might offer you a lower labor if they have mastered it and purchased unique tools or have their own unknown procedure to reduce labor. One of the dealers I worked in, the guys specialized in this kind of customer relations to always keep the shop full and busy during slow months. A trait you may find is very difficult to duplicate in your own area. But it does not hurt to ask and explain why you need a reduction.

Your car is getting old, and it will start needing repairs- you are finding this out- and each episode WILL cost 3-500 dollars- if you're lucky-

Thank you dannyl and jamnblues (great name). I had the water pump replaced in may of last year along with the timing belt for 357 in labor. That shop is less expensive but 19 months seems like a quick turnaround to need another repair. Of course it is past the warranty for that water pump. Is this a common or re-occurring problem? I have had a number of repairs so unfortunately this is not a new discovery. Cheers

I have learned through trial and error that chinese junque is not just a boat floating on water. The genuine part is the answer for your kind of car. But if you use aftermarket like airtex and the like, they are lifetime warranty junque. Some bad luck ones i have had the customer destroy the engine, others are still dribbling but ok. So whose did you use? And returning to them could reduce costs if you point out the time issue.

Thanks, called around and found 450 was the going rate in Raleigh NC. Starting the search for a new vehicle so this will probably be the last one I invest in Mazda. Thanks again.

Always happy to help, you can fix that yourself with a haynes manual from the library, the tools, and some help from the part supplier before you sell it.