I went in to pick up the car this afternoon to find that there had been a bit of a problem (that'll teach me to not check my messages first!). Apparently there is some backing plate behind the water pump that is prone to corrosion damage which renders it pretty much impossible to remove without it snapping in half :nuts: - which is exactly what happened. It turns out there is only one of these in Australia at the moment (in South Australia), which should be here by mid afternoon tomorrow, at an additional cost of $140 on top of the $850 I was already up for. The money isn't a big deal, but it's still bloody annoying! :rant:

hmmm, going off your profile im guess in you have a TS V6?

my engine is pretty much stripped and i really cant see any thing that looks like a backing plate, wondering if you could get some pics?

either way i know stuff like this can be sooo frustrating, im feeling for ya

hmmm, going off your profile im guess in you have a TS V6?

my engine is pretty much stripped and i really cant see any thing that looks like a backing plate, wondering if you could get some pics?

either way i know stuff like this can be sooo frustrating, im feeling for ya

I haven't seen it myself, that's just what they told me. I was just wondering what other people's experiences had been, as they said it was a very common problem for this model.

Yes, I do have a TS V6.

there is no backing plate on the V6 water pump....but the actual pump itself comes apart in 2 halves. maybe thats what they are talking about? the pump bolts straight to the engine block and the only thing that is between the pump and block is a gasket.

although i have never heard of the "backing plate/"pump breaking in half though.....

ive recently replaced my pump so any questions just pm me mate

anthony

there is no backing plate on the V6 water pump....but the actual pump itself comes apart in 2 halves. maybe thats what they are talking about? the pump bolts straight to the engine block and the only thing that is between the pump and block is a gasket.

although i have never heard of the "backing plate/"pump breaking in half though.....

ive recently replaced my pump so any questions just pm me mate

anthony

Was just thinking the same thing.
If the whole water pump is $70ish why are they charging you $140?
I think there taking you for a ride here man

You are being taken for a ride mate, the good pumps come as a complete unit for around 80 bucks, your mechanic is ripping you big time

I just checked the manual that I downloaded, and there is no mention about a backing plate for the water pump. I agree with the others, your mechanic is taking you for a ride.

Have him show you on the car or in a workshop manual where the water pump backing plate is.

Ozz

yep, somethings fishy

took another look at mine thats sitting here and there is only the water pump-gasket-engine block

would be asking to see the old one, put some pressure on him and if nothing else happens take it somewhere else

I will make sure I get them to explain in detail exactly what the deal is then. I haven't had any cause to mistrust them before, and in a town this size you don't stay as successful and well-regarded as they are by ripping people off. I don't know if the guy who talked to me was actually one of the mechanics or not, so it could just be that he didn't fully understand it himself and got it wrong in his explanation to me. Either way, I'll make sure I get a full explanation direct from the mechanic, to clarify just what they've actually done.

And if it does still look suss, I'll go to another mechanic in town and get a second opinion in person, and report to the appropriate authorities for further action if it really is a rort. We'll see what they say.

There is a backing plate!!!! The pump I bought for my 6G72 came without one too but I had no trouble re-using the old one.

It is the part the inlet pipe plugs into with the O Ring seal.

Rob

There is a backing plate!!!! The pump I bought for my 6G72 came without one too but I had no trouble re-using the old one.

It is the part the inlet pipe plugs into with the O Ring seal.

Rob

isnt that just the back of the water pump:S
Thing were trying to say is, the whole pump is $80, so why is charging TWICe as much for HALF the parts

']isnt that just the back of the water pump:S
Thing were trying to say is, the whole pump is $80, so why is charging TWICe as much for HALF the parts

Some water pumps are sold without the backing plate. My replacement was. Bought from Repco. Invoice says "Part # WP2040, Pump-Water (No Backing Plate), Retail $193.99, Price I paid $93.49.

Since I've owned this car from new and always kept the coolant concentration up the backing plate wasn't at all corroded, looked as new and went back on well.

Rob

Some water pumps are sold without the backing plate. My replacement was. Bought from Repco. Invoice says "Part # WP2040, Pump-Water (No Backing Plate), Retail $193.99, Price I paid $93.49.

Since I've owned this car from new and always kept the coolant concentration up the backing plate wasn't at all corroded, looked as new and went back on well.

Rob

Well, that is certainly quite reassuring in light of some other comments! :) That is what makes this forum good though, lots of different views/info being shared, and a good opportunity to learn things from other's experiences that we missed in our own.

It is interesting what you said about not having problems with your backing plate due to proper coolant levels - would that suggest the problem is common due to many people not doing this? If that is the case for my car, then it is probably just as well I have taken the precaution of replacing these parts early, hopefully it will run better and longer as a result! :D

Anyway...that's good to know, I can breathe easy now. I didn't think they'd pull a dodgy one on me, but it's hard to know given the many stories out there of people who have. Thanks again to everyone, much appreciated.

As I stated, SOME COME WITH, SOME WITHOUT.....

My reasoning is not opinion, it is over 15 years of working on these cars from first gen 4cyl onwards.

All the V6, both second and third gen have a back plate for lack of better way of putting it. Even in poor condition if the screws are corroded the method to remove them is to drill the heads and replace them. I have NEVER heard of someone cracking the plate unless they are a gorilla with cars!

The mechanic most likely did not know about the couple of counter sunk screws, used far too much force thus broke the sucker. This again shows me he did not know what he was doing

Finally got it back today, yay! After the initial delay due to the broken backing plate, there was a further delay when the clowns supplying the plate sent the wrong one...and then a further delay when they supplied the wrong timing belt kit also. But it all got sorted in the end, and it seems to be running very well. Not that it wasn't fine before, but this should help keep it that way!

I do think the ISC is rather suss though, as I mentioned before, but that is something I can easily replace myself. And thanks to the very helpful eBay link posted by someone earlier, it wont even cost a heap to get the part either. Thanks to all who have contributed comments and advice, much appreciated!