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[peter the butcher]

further to my couple of posts about a water leak. I was very impressed with the courteous service I got from the chap at the parts dept at the local main dealers. I was just ordering an HBV, and thought I was getting a new car, he was calling me mr this and mr that, and the good looking young lady who was enquiring for a cost to fit it (might as well, I was there), and taking my money, was also gracious and good mannered. I thought "hmmmm, been lulled into a false sense of security methinks. The good news, was the part only cost £17 and a few pence, so good so far. Waited until one of the "urchins" came back on the phone, and they ONLY wanted £200 plus to fit it. Sorry I said, thats a Fi,ng rip off. Grabbed my cheap part and made a hasty retreat
Not very happy
And cannot do it myself


Peter

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

further to my couple of posts about a water leak. I was very impressed with the courteous service I got from the chap at the parts dept at the local main dealers. I was just ordering an HBV, and thought I was getting a new car, he was calling me mr this and mr that, and the good looking young lady who was enquiring for a cost to fit it (might as well, I was there), and taking my money, was also gracious and good mannered. I thought "hmmmm, been lulled into a false sense of security methinks. The good news, was the part only cost £17 and a few pence, so good so far. Waited until one of the "urchins" came back on the phone, and they ONLY wanted £200 plus to fit it. Sorry I said, thats a Fi,ng rip off. Grabbed my cheap part and made a hasty retreat
Not very happy
And cannot do it myself


Peter

Even a cretin such as myself is able to fit an HBV. Follow the OOF guide'..... It's a pretty simple job.

£200 is taking the piss.

£17 for the part is good.

[andyc]

Labour time is .8 so just under an hour from start to finish, sound like they didn't want the job

Andy

[peter the butcher]

Labour time is .8 so just under an hour from start to finish, sound like they didn't want the job

Andy

they said it was a very labour intensive job, and the car had to be cold, will ask my work mate if he will do it, as he did my pads and discs a few months ago

[andyc]

Cold car is better

[05omegav6]

Three hose clips, a vacuum pipe and a litre of coolant... what could possibly go wrong

As Andy suggested, they clearly don't want the job, especially if they're trying to charge you waiting time for the car to cool down

If they had a bit more imagination, they could charge you an hours labour, plus the fixed price coolant change, circa £35, so all told about £140 rather than 'That's £200, but...'

There's a comprehensive guide for changing it in the Maintenance section, so get your mate to have a read of it first to make sure he understands what he's doing It's not a difficult job, but it is a bit fiddly, and might seem a bit daunting if you/he haven't changed one before

[elvin315]

Since you're replacing the valve why not move it to a more accessible location? I guarantee it will fail again in a few years. This will make it easier to replace. A few lengths of heater hose and 3 clamps is all it takes. http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-catera-cimarron-forum/184451-98-catera-hcv-relocated.html#post2057750

[05omegav6]

Since you're replacing the valve why not move it to a more accessible location? I guarantee it will fail again in a few years. This will make it easier to replace. A few lengths of heater hose and 3 clamps is all it takes. http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-catera-cimarron-forum/184451-98-catera-hcv-relocated.html#post2057750

That is actually a bloody good shout especially if the car has the auxiliary pump there, as this can be removed from the system and the hoses put to good use

[dbug]

Nice one Elvin - neat job and makes a lot of sense.  Saves money on plasters too

[elvin315]

Glad to be of service. I think this is the first time I've shown you guys something you may have not seen before, usually it's me learning from you. I wish I could take credit for this but the link and pictures are from a Catera Forum member called retho78. I have yet to do it myself but when my HBV starts to leak I'll be relocating the new one.