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Cost to diagnose poss wheel bearing or water pump wine


YorkshireBoxster

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Just called my local OPC as I want to find out if the wine I'm hearing at motorway speeds is wheel bearing or water pump related. Now I'm aware some garages charge but they want £144 just to diagnose. Parts will be on top of that. 

So just wondering how that compares with other experiences. 

I'm just about to call a local independent to see what they say. 

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8 minutes ago, skoosh1970 said:

....BMW are also £144 an hour for diagnostics...seems to be the industry standard.

It will frankly vary. Even between OPCs it will vary (esp London vs non-London)

@YorkshireBoxster I guess from the name you're Yorkshire based 😀? Perhaps someone nearby can recommend somewhere for you.

 

 

 

Edited by iborguk
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20 minutes ago, iborguk said:

It will frankly vary. Even between OPCs it will vary (esp London vs non-London)

@YorkshireBoxster I guess from the name you're Yorkshire based 😀? Perhaps someone nearby can recommend somewhere for you.

 

 

 

Based just outside the North Yorkshire boundary now but my heart still in Yorkshire. 

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I heard a whining noise shortly after buying my car last year, local Porsche specialist charged £260 labour but that was for both diagnosing the problem (water pump had failed) and fitting the replacement.

Edited by 944GS
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Audi charge similar, but even if no fault found you get a coffee and a valeted car back.

I'd find a recommended independent Porsche specialist.

Wheel bearings usually rumble and vibrate, not whine.  Whine, from what others, say seems to indicate water pump is more likely.  Either way an indy will usually cost less on labour and give you aftermarket options for parts.

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1 hour ago, YorkshireBoxster said:

Out of interest is it fairly straightforward to change the wheel bearings. As in they're not buried in the hub so the whole unit has to be replaced or something like that. I'm guessing the water pump would be a bit of a faff on so probably best left to the workshop. 

The drive shaft will have to come out first. I would assume either exhaust off to remove the drive shaft and old style plate and screw bearing replacement tools or hub off and hydraulic press. -followed by wheel alignment.

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20 minutes ago, andy987 said:

As has been mentioned, wheel bearing noise is distinctive and easy to check. Anyone with an older Audi, ask for their reduced rate

Reduced rate works across the VAG ranges but only up to Audi, not Porsche and above!

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Assuming you want the company that locates the problem to fix the problem, I would have a word with a good local independent and ask them for a budget figure for both jobs and if that’s ok ask them to identify which it is and resolve. Not sure how accessible the water pump is on the Boxster but assuming it’s in a similar place to the 911, if you take the engine cover off you can put a long screwdriver on the centre bolt and listen to the bearing plus it’s a rare treat to see the Boxster engine and a simple job to get the cover off 

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Just back from Redline near Stockton and what a great bunch of people they are. They race in the carrera Cup and have also started racing lambos too so they know a thing or two about how a car should drive etc. Anyway they had mine up on the ramp giving it a good look over and then test drive. They diagnosed the front offside wheel bearing before they took it out whilst it was on the ramp. Slight play but definite grind when the wheel was spun. No worries re water pump (or IMS either) so all good there. They commented on how good the car looks too so the da polisher was definitely worth it. 

All booked in for the end of the month for both front bearings and a 4 wheel alignment whilst they're at it. Will definitely be back there rather than the main dealer. Recommended for sure for anyone up that way. 

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Good stuff! Charging £144 for something that can be diagnosed on a ramp in 2 minutes is ludicrous. Unless you're maintaining a warranty id never use an OPC, plenty of independents out there who offer a better service at a lower price.

My current garage is Zuffenhaus in Birmingham, first time i took the car to them they gave the car a good once over and provided an itemised list of concerns for free.

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On 3/11/2022 at 10:06 PM, ½cwt said:

Reduced rate works across the VAG ranges but only up to Audi, not Porsche and above!

My local OPC have reduced labour rate for cars over 10 years old.  They automatically applied it when I went in for a service. 
 

as to charging for diags I would expect that to be negotiable.  I suspect they are protecting themselves from using them to find out what’s wrong then getting honest joes motors to fix it.  

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