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Water Pump Replacement Cost

If the pump is driven by the timing belt, replace the belt, tensioner, and thermostat at the same time — opening it twice is wasted labor.

Fair total cost

$360–$1,280

Parts

$120–$380

Labor time

2–5 hrs

Shop rate

$120–$180/hr

Common symptoms

  • Coolant leak from the front of the engine
  • Whining noise that changes with RPM
  • Overheating at idle

What a fair quote includes

  • New pump with gasket/O-ring
  • Fresh coolant (correct spec)
  • System bleed to remove air pockets

Red flags to watch for

  • Timing-belt-driven pump quote that doesn't include the belt
  • Generic green coolant used in a vehicle requiring OAT/HOAT

FAQs

Should the thermostat be replaced too?

Yes if the system is already open — thermostats are cheap and a failure forces the same labor again.

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