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raceya
New User

Dec 28, 2011, 5:19 PM

Post #1 of 6 (2370 views)
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Just had my 2003 Chevy Trailblazer's fan clutch replaced by mechanic. 2 days later water pump goes. I think the mechanic damaged the beaarings when changing the fan clutch. It just doesn't seem coincidental. What do you think?


(This post was edited by raceya on Dec 31, 2011, 11:50 AM)


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Dec 28, 2011, 5:34 PM

Post #2 of 6 (2363 views)
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What is wrong with the water pump? Leaking? Noisy? Loose?





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raceya
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Dec 28, 2011, 5:44 PM

Post #3 of 6 (2358 views)
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We actually had to be towed yesterday, 80 miles to have the water pump replaced. It had thrown the belt off the fan and the truck was over heated. Before it thru the belt it was whining loud when down shifting. Just 2 days and $1000 out for the fan clutch replacement. I'm pissed! Nothing I can do now. Out 480 for the tow and another 565 for the new water pump. Just feel ripped off.


Discretesignals
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Dec 28, 2011, 5:53 PM

Post #4 of 6 (2346 views)
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That is a tough call. For the pump itself to throw the belt, the pump drive pulley would have to fall off. Maybe the serpentine belt wasn't install correctly. Did you actually look at your old pump to see what was wrong with it?





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raceya
New User

Dec 29, 2011, 5:38 PM

Post #5 of 6 (2311 views)
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I just saw the fan on the water pump, it was lose and the mechanic (different one) said the mechanic that changed the cluch fan may of used the wrong tool and stripped the bearings. He said later, that he couldn't tell from what he saw. It's just one of those things. I could have gone to my dealership and calmly explained the issue and how things went down in a two day period....but unfortunately I was on a cross country trip and 4 hours away from my town. Just have to suck this one up! Good news is my trailblazer is running GREAT now. $2000 for a new clutch fan and water pump plus an 80 mile tow....Merry Christmas! Just glad it wasn't in a snow storm!!!Wink Thanks for the info. I wish I was a mechanic!


Discretesignals
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Dec 29, 2011, 8:56 PM

Post #6 of 6 (2302 views)
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Did you keep the old pump? You could take the old pump, the repair invoices, and tow bill down to the dealer to see if there is anything they can do for you. If they can't do anything for you, it was worth the try anyway.

There is a special tool that locks the pulley so you can use a large wrench to unscrew the fan. I have seen techs use an air hammer to knock the fan loose, but you wouldn't be able to tell unless you had the old fan clutch. It's possible that using an air hammer could damage the pump's bearing. If you see air hammer marks on the new fan clutch and it wasn't caused by the recent mechanic, that might be something you could bring up. Don't really think that a dealer tech would use an air hammer because the fan clutch tool is a dealer essential tool.

But then again, the pump may have been on it's last leg and the installation of the new fan clutch finished it off.

The dealer is always going to charge higher for parts and labor because your using factory trained techs and factory parts(most of the time), but that doesn't mean they are perfect. Look around at some of the mom and pop independent shops. Ask friends and neighbors where they take their vehicles. You may get the same quality at a cheaper price.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 29, 2011, 8:59 PM)






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