Engine water pump

Hello all,

Happy holidays and soon to be new year.

I took my 2007 prius (96000 miles) in today for an oil change. Dealer tells me there is a leakage in the engine water pump. Not the electric one but the engine one. He shows me a very small amount of pink coolant. He stated it just began. I find it coincidental that it just began because at 92500 miles, they replaced my serpentine belt. The picture is hard to see where the leakage is, but its a small amount right at the pink arrow. They quoted me to replaced the water pump $506 bucks. I asked him what is wrong with it, he stated the gasket is worn out due to time and usage. I tried to reason it out and I said ok since i am at 95965 miles. But what I have a tough time believing is the legitimization of the diagnosis. On the last oil change, they replaced the serpentine belt. This oil change they tell me the water pump. They said, "IT JUST STARTED". Am I being taken to the cleaners here? I am just an average jane and don't know much about cars. Please check the picture to see the area of the leak. Its very small amount.

second, is $506 reasonable for Newark, Delaware? Anyone have a good recommendation in the area? The water pump is not leaking, he said its just the gasket wear and tear. Replacing the gasket takes $506?

Thanks for all your replies in advance.

 

UPDATE

Since water pump leakage is a big deal and repair, I wanted to get on top of this issue to prevent myself from further headaches. I just spoke to them again, and they said the "failure part is the seal not the pump itself". Can't they just replace the sealant, which I believe is a small piece of black rubber?

Also, can this job be done at a local mechanic to save money? Or i should go with the dealer. they stated they do not just replace the sealant but they need to replace the whole engine water pump.

Once again, THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP!

 

My car is a 2007 with 96000 miles. I don't believe its under warranty any longer. Thanks for all the replies.

But couldn't an independent mechanic do the air bubble purge also? What is the ramification of the air bubble if the independent mech. did not do it? TIA

 

1st, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL YOUR REPLIES AND HELP. Its so good to see this kind of help is available around the world. My dire, burning question is was this intentionally done by fault of the dealership. I just can't fathom coincidentally that on the last oil change i had my serpentine belt changed and 3 months later this happens.

I am looking into an independent mech. to save some money. Can really use the savings for son's birthday present coming up.

 

Great idea. but hard for a novice to recommend an old dog to learn a new trick. afraid any mech will find that rude. anyway, no way for me to be assured that they do and follow it. So, is there a way i can ensure that h/she did the air bubble purge?

planning to take a 1500 mile road trip. since the leak is a very slow slow slow and fresh leakage, is this the kind of thing that all of a sudden it can't go gaboom and we will be safe for the 1500 mile road trip (750 each way).

 

Does the inverter coolant uses the same liquid as the engine coolant reservoir? I bought a gallon of the pink colored Toyota long last life coolant. I was going to pour some into the engine coolant reservoir and i saw the inverter coolant was a little low.

 

So if i need to add the coolant, do i add it to the radiator or the resevoir tank?

I checked a youtube video on how to change the coolant for the inverter and radiator, it looks pretty easy. Might have my son watch the video and us two might do it together. Is it just a matter of unscrewing the bolt under the bottom of engine, let it drain, pour in new coolant, run the heater on high until no more air bubbling, add more coolant if needed and ur done. I m excited for my first car job.