Water pump :( and Chevy

[21Rouge]

I have noticed that the coolant level was decreasing, just slightly though, over the last several months. I brought it to my one guy shop mechanic for its regular oil change and asked him, while the Vibe (05 with 31k miles) was on the hoist, if he could check for coolant. He and I both saw some residual crusty pink coolant around the belt. I will schedule an appt for next week as it is still under warranty. Btw, I called the Chevy dealership as it is so much more convenient for me to go there rather than to Pontiac. The Chevy service guy said he could get the waterpump (if needed) and warranty work was warranty work. What do you guys and gals think? Can Chevy handle a waterpump replacement on a Vibe? Now that I think about it...if I also have them drain and fill coolant is there anyway I could get them to use Toyota pink rather than the Dexcool?

[northvibe]

When I called about warranty work they said only GM dealers that were not pontiac could do emergency repairs but not the "pontiac" normal ones. All mechanics...should have a basic understanding of all cars and usually fix them on the side as well. A water pump isnt a huge deal and Im sure they can handle it and have the same training as the pontiac people but the pontiac people will have more experience ON vibes and maybe certain training for them. So you may get a more vibe experienced tech at a pontiac dealer....the other part, imo id stick with the toyota pink. I did when I flushed and filled my own coolant. I have no issues still and that was 20k miles ago. I always stay with the stock fluids as they are KNOWN to work.

[kevera]

It's funny you should bring this up.A good friend of mine is a tech for GM and works at a Chevy dealership.He keeps telling me he works on 3 to 4 Vibes a week.So,I believe him,he seems to know quit a bit about the Vibe.But,the one thing that he always told me was that when they service the cooling system,they use Dexcool.If you decide to bring it to them,specify that you would prefer they use the Toyota coolant.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by kevera »It's funny you should bring this up.A good friend of mine is a tech for GM and works at a Chevy dealership.He keeps telling me he works on 3 to 4 Vibes a week.Thats good to know....makes me feel better.Quote, originally posted by kevera »If you decide to bring it to them,specify that you would prefer they use the Toyota coolant.So do you think I could bring them the Toyota pink and specify they use that?

[ColonelPanic]

The average Chevrolet dealer is likely better equipped (especially with knowledge and experience) than most Pontiac shops to work on these cars, IMHO... Chevy had the Prizm, and before the Nova, dating back to the mid 80's, so they've been dealing with this Toyota stuff for a while.However, GM will only warranty repairs at a different division's dealership in emergency situations. Any GM division service center will be more than willing to take your money to work on another division's car that they don't normally sell or service though.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »However, GM will only warranty repairs at a different division's dealership in emergency situations. When I called this Chevy dealership I told them I thought the waterpump on my Pontiac needed replacement and it was likely a warrantly item...could they do it as such? She replied yes.

[ColonelPanic]

Heh, I'd take it in and hold them to what they said. If they'll work on it, cool!

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Heh, I'd take it in and hold them to what they said. If they'll work on it, cool! Dont you think dealerships can fudge stuff like this?

[northvibe]

well since its still under the GM umbrella of course they can fix it..but you are "suppose" to bring it to a pontiac dealer. I wouldnt worry if they said they can do it though.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »well since its still under the GM umbrella of course they can fix it..but you are "suppose" to bring it to a pontiac dealer. I wouldnt worry if they said they can do it though. The chevy dealer is 5 minutes by car from my home. They were able to accomodate me this Tuesday. The Pontiac dealer is 15 minutes away and couldnt take me till Wednesday. As well I have had some not so good experiences in the past 5 years with their service dept. So I am willing to try another place.I still have an appt booked for the Wed. If when I go to Chevy on Tuesday and they now say they cant do warranty work I will keep the appt with Pontiac .

[ToolGuy]

All dealers have the GM Service Manual information on their internet service site and if they need to can look up the Vibe. But like others said, a w pump is not really complicated and a Chevy tech can do the job.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by kevera »A good friend of mine is a tech for GM and works at a Chevy dealership.He keeps telling me he works on 3 to 4 Vibes a week.So,I believe him,he seems to know quit a bit about the Vibe.But,the one thing that he always told me was that when they service the cooling system,they use Dexcool.If you decide to bring it to them,specify that you would prefer they use the Toyota coolant.Update: Chevy confirmed that the waterpump needs replacing. However no dealer in the GTA had one in stock so it needs to be brought in from Woodstock. And if they were to do a 'flush and fill' they would use only Dexcool and I couldnt bring in my own. So I will do it myself. Q. I already have on hand 3/4 of a large jug (3.7L) of Toyota prediluted long life stuff. If I purchase *one* more will that be enough to do the fill?

[kevera]

Can I ask,what dealer did you bring it to.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Heh, I'd take it in and hold them to what they said. Waterpump replaced under warranty at Chevy this morning.I then took two jugs of long life Toyota pink across the street to a small shop and they did the flush and fill.

[jasonvibe]

they could have got a water pump from NAPA. In the warranty book it says they can use any supplier for parts that meets the GM standards. At least I think I saw that. I was likely dreaming.

[21Rouge]

Did an oil change this past weekend and while on the hoist the mechanic pointed out some residual pink around the waterpump .It must be just a very slight leak as there has been no noticeable change in coolant level.But as can you see from this thread I had the pump replaced August 2007. Maybe I should have taken it to the Pontiac Dealer .

[21Rouge]

Got a call today. After doing a pressure test (I knew this wasnt needed) they have agreed to replace the water pump again. However the dealer says that it isnt expected in for another week. They wont let me drive the car as they claim the pump could blow at any time. Crazy. I know the leak is very slight and keep a close eye on the coolant level.

[tnpartsguy]

they could have got a water pump from NAPA. In the warranty book it says they can use any supplier for parts that meets the GM standards.Not true! They MUST us a GM part, the ONLY way they can use an aftermarket part is if for some reason the GM part is on national backorder, and then the ASM (Area Service Manager) must sign off on it BEFORE the repair can be made. They also have to provide a form showing you that they used a non-GM part, you have to sign it, and they have to offer to replace THAT part with a GM part once it becomes available.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy » the ONLY way they can use an aftermarket part is if for some reason the GM part is on national backorder, and then the ASM (Area Service Manager) must sign off on it BEFORE the repair can be made. They also have to provide a form showing you that they used a non-GM part, you have to sign it, and they have to offer to replace THAT part with a GM part once it becomes available.The Toyota dealership is literally right next door. I bet they have easy access to a water pump for a Matrix/Vibe .