Need advice with an Indie issue.

[MetMan]

This morning I took my Z4 into my indie shop to have my oil, differential and transmission fluids changed as I just hit 90k miles. I've owned this car for 4.5 years and it has only been serviced at this shop.

The owner of the shop who normally works on my car took the day off so one of his techs worked on my car. After the car was completed,the tech stated that my water pump was starting to weep just a little. I stated that I just had replaced the pump within the past two years and the shop did the work. He asked if I was sure as the water pump "looked like the original". I told hi I was sure and that I had the receipt at home. Sure enough, the water pump was replaced 4/2011 but it's out of the two year warranty period.

The thing that concerns me is the comment the tech made about the water pump. I'm now wondering if it was ever replaced back in 2011. I'm unsure how I should handle this situation with the owner. Should I bring the comments to his attention and have the water pump replaced at his shop again or just take it to the dealer to have it replaced?

I would also like to have my radiator and expansion tank replaced as a preventative measure as I'm relocating to houston in 60 days,but I'm now leaning towards having that work done when I reach Houston.

Thanks in advance for the input.

[itdnwiwbp]

Tough call, man. I trust the owner of the shop I go to completely but some of the guys working there concern me a bit. I don't want to be a dick and insist that the couple I know and trust are the only ones who touch my car but sometimes I feel like it might be worth it since I've has some MINOR issues in the past.

Anyway, in your situation, I would probably address the comment with the shop owner. If you have rapport with him and he's an honest guy hopefully he can put your mind at ease that it was replaced and maybe he can at least install a new one labor free. Good luck!

[MetMan]

The sad part is back in 2011, the owner was the only tech for the shop. If the water pump wasn't replaced, it was his doing.

[intoflatlines]

Well that's a twist...

[seank]

How does he know its original? After 2 years, the water pump will look the same as a five year pump. Tell the owner that it is weeping and that the mechanic said the it was the original, even though you replaced it two years ago by him. See what he says, but to let you know, water pump never age well on the outside.

[KevinM]

Potentially awkward, but you have to address it with the owner directly...otherwise he will have lost your trust (and possibly business) without being able to respond.

[GamblerHydra]

You have to watch the indie shops some will use whatever is laying around . I am
Sure your guy changed the pump, but was the part new ? Your best bet is learning how to work on your cars yourself .

[Jstic]

What does he mean by "the water pump is starting to weep a little". Is there a leak, a noise? I've never heard this term, weep, applied to a water pump. And the post above mine is 100% correct. This type situation is why I would never, ever let anyone work on my cars but ME.

[Lark]

When you get to Houston, I can recommend Texas German Autohaus on Edloe. Ask for Hans. Been going to them for 20 years.

[3002 tii]

Play dumb, relay the message. Tech said this and that. They'll have to figure it out among themselves. But I agree with seank, after few years the waterpumps would look the same. Only way to tell is to look up the p/n stamped on it and see if it was a later revision (which happens quite often) as opposed to the original one that came on the car.

[MetMan]

Originally Posted by Jstic

What does he mean by "the water pump is starting to weep a little". Is there a leak, a noise? I've never heard this term, weep, applied to a water pump. And the post above mine is 100% correct. This type situation is why I would never, ever let anyone work on my cars but ME.

I guess the water pump has a very small leak. He didn't feel tha it needed to be completed that day. Ill have it done next week.

Originally Posted by Lark

When you get to Houston, I can recommend Texas German Autohaus on Edloe. Ask for Hans. Been going to them for 20 years.

Thanks Lark, I will definitely look them up!

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

Play dumb, relay the message. Tech said this and that. They'll have to figure it out among themselves. But I agree with seank, after few years the waterpumps would look the same. Only way to tell is to look up the p/n stamped on it and see if it was a later revision (which happens quite often) as opposed to the original one that came on the car.

Thanks for the advice.

[earlgrey69]

Originally Posted by MetMan

I guess the water pump has a very small leak. He didn't feel tha it needed to be completed that day. Ill have it done next week.



Thanks Lark, I will definitely look them up!




Thanks for the advice.

Do you mind telling me what shop you used? I'm in Jax as well and was looking for a referral because my M and pretty soon my 335 will be out of warranty. Thanks!

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

Play dumb, relay the message. Tech said this and that. They'll have to figure it out among themselves. But I agree with seank, after few years the waterpumps would look the same. Only way to tell is to look up the p/n stamped on it and see if it was a later revision (which happens quite often) as opposed to the original one that came on the car.

Hey Metman! Long time no chat!

I agree with the above. Just use a pleasant approach and see how they respond. I suppose it won't matter if they get miffed, as you are moving to Houston in a few weeks.

Good luck with it!!

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Hey Metman! Long time no chat!

I agree with the above. Just use a pleasant approach and see how they respond. I suppose it won't matter if they get miffed, as you are moving to Houston in a few weeks.

Good luck with it!!

Been called many things before, Metman was not one of them!

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

Been called many things before, Metman was not one of them!

LOL!! I was talking to MetMan while quoting you! Oh well, as long as I don't call you late for supper!!

MetMan sold me his roadster alarm a while back and I still haven't gotten around to installing it, which leads me to my new motto, which is:

"If a man says it will be done, it will. There is no need to remind him every six months".

[MetMan]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Hey Metman! Long time no chat!

I agree with the above. Just use a pleasant approach and see how they respond. I suppose it won't matter if they get miffed, as you are moving to Houston in a few weeks.

Good luck with it!!

Huz,

I was wondering if the President of the 3.0si fan club was going to chime in!

I'm going to take your approach and be pleasant as I also want my radiator and expansion tank replaced before I hit the road for Houston. I'm going to give the shop the benefit of the doubt as I've been very satisfied with his service over the last four years. As someone pointed out earlier, hard to tell a two year old water pump from older. After that I'll start to have the car serviced in Houston.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by MetMan

Huz,

I was wondering if the President of the 3.0si fan club was going to chime in!

I'm going to take your approach and be pleasant as I also want my radiator and expansion tank replaced before I hit the road for Houston. I'm going to give the shop the benefit of the doubt as I've been very satisfied with his service over the last four years. As someone pointed out earlier, hard to tell a two year old water pump from older. After that I'll start to have the car serviced in Houston.

Hey Vice President MetMan!! - great to see you back on the forum! Ya know me, I always have to get my two cents worth in. I hope the move to Houston is hassle free for you!

Cheers!!