Gasket removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PanelDeland · 01-28-2008, 08:09 AM

So the water pump on my Dakota went out.My wife "thinks" she'll be helpful and calls Sears.They quote her $250.00 for replacing the water pump,$125.00 for the thermostat,and (Get this,you're gonna love this)$37.50 for replacing the serpentine belt.Those are labor prices only,it's another $250 or so for the parts.I paid just under $100.00 for the parts and coolant and bought a new tube of sealant to boot.
Needless to say I had already looked up the parts on the net and removed the shroud and belt.I had the bolts loose and the hoses unclamped.
Anyway on to the question.I have one spot at the top right under the alt bracket that I can't seem to get the gasket scraped clean.I relized my cordless drill battery wasn't plugged in about this time.It is now and I can finish tommorow but I was wondering if anyone had used any of the gasket remover sprays and how they worked?Or if you have any other tips?

**jaros44sr** · 01-28-2008, 09:12 AM

How about plain old paint stripper? J

ChevLoRay · 01-28-2008, 09:29 AM

Do they make gasket remover chemicals? I always had to use a scraper and some elbow grease!!

I guess my generation started it all..."Better Living Through Chemistry", I think....

BurnoutNova · 01-28-2008, 09:47 AM

why are you so shocked at the labor prices? do you think there ripping you off, or are you just suprised at how much labor really costs?

i understand alot of people do thier own work, but at the same time it seems like those people then think since they can do it for free, every shop is ripping people off. most shops around here are between 70-85$ per hour. the price for your serp belt is right on, they usually pay about half an hour, so sear's labor rate must be $75... right about 3 hours for the waterpump, and an hour and a half for the t- stat. im not farmiliar with dodges all that much, but it seems like it not really that far out of line.

you also have to think about why the labor rate is that high... the tech is making anywhere from 15-25$ per hour, theres ALOT of other expences they have, insurance, heat, the biulding, ect.

PanelDeland · 01-28-2008, 10:06 AM

That wasn't the thing I thought was ridiculous.I thought the prices were probably pretty much in line with labor rates these days.I thought it was a rip-off for many people who aren't savvy about vehicles to charge for a serpentine belt replacement seperately when it had to be done to do the water pump any way.
I usually just use a gasket scraper and elbow grease also but couldn't get a good angle on this particular area.I was just going to fire up the cordless and wire brush it clean then spray it with some brake cleaner.I can but did not want to remove the alternator.Surprisingly enough the water pump doesn't have any of the accesories bolted to it.

69long"n"low · 01-28-2008, 10:13 AM

please

69long"n"low · 01-28-2008, 10:14 AM

i would like to know about the chemical gasket romovers

**passthebuck** · 01-28-2008, 10:15 AM

Spray it with some sort of lube (WD-40, etc.), let it sit over night & then start shaving away at it with a razor blade.

PanelDeland · 01-28-2008, 11:22 AM

yeah.it's soaking in brake clean right now.The razor scraper would not lift this section to peel it for some reason and it's where I have to use a mechanics mirror to even see it.

ChevLoRay · 01-28-2008, 11:32 AM

PanelDeLand, I'm with you in the idea that to charge for the installation of the serpentine belt would be an additional charge. The labor for the belt should be included in the labor that would be necessary to R&R the water pump. The idea that the belt labor is separate suggests that itemizing the labor for a given job is something that a shop might do, but to single out one part is not right. If that is to be the way jobs are done, then the shops, and their mechanics, will have to charge even more money for the time to list all of the procedures that are part of the total job. Neither the mechanics nor the shops have the time needed to set aside to itemize their actions. The steps needed to accomplish a water pump job include the belt replacement. If not, the job isn't complete. To charge for a new belt, no biggee, but not the labor when it's part of the job.

72BLUZ · 01-28-2008, 11:46 AM

brake cleaner will dry quick and not penetrate. if you have a angle grinder with a buffing pad would be fast and easy
the hourly rate in our shop is $98.00

01-28-2008, 08:09 AM	#1
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Gasket removal So the water pump on my Dakota went out.My wife "thinks" she'll be helpful and calls Sears.They quote her $250.00 for replacing the water pump,$125.00 for the thermostat,and (Get this,you're gonna love this)$37.50 for replacing the serpentine belt.Those are labor prices only,it's another $250 or so for the parts.I paid just under $100.00 for the parts and coolant and bought a new tube of sealant to boot. Needless to say I had already looked up the parts on the net and removed the shroud and belt.I had the bolts loose and the hoses unclamped. Anyway on to the question.I have one spot at the top right under the alt bracket that I can't seem to get the gasket scraped clean.I relized my cordless drill battery wasn't plugged in about this time.It is now and I can finish tommorow but I was wondering if anyone had used any of the gasket remover sprays and how they worked?Or if you have any other tips? __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" Last edited by PanelDeland; 01-28-2008 at 08:11 AM.

01-28-2008, 09:12 AM	#2
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,704	Re: Gasket removal How about plain old paint stripper? J __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

01-28-2008, 09:29 AM	#3
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Gasket removal Do they make gasket remover chemicals? I always had to use a scraper and some elbow grease!! I guess my generation started it all..."Better Living Through Chemistry", I think.... __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-28-2008, 09:47 AM	#4
BurnoutNova Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,057	Re: Gasket removal why are you so shocked at the labor prices? do you think there ripping you off, or are you just suprised at how much labor really costs? i understand alot of people do thier own work, but at the same time it seems like those people then think since they can do it for free, every shop is ripping people off. most shops around here are between 70-85$ per hour. the price for your serp belt is right on, they usually pay about half an hour, so sear's labor rate must be $75... right about 3 hours for the waterpump, and an hour and a half for the t- stat. im not farmiliar with dodges all that much, but it seems like it not really that far out of line. you also have to think about why the labor rate is that high... the tech is making anywhere from 15-25$ per hour, theres ALOT of other expences they have, insurance, heat, the biulding, ect.

01-28-2008, 10:06 AM	#5
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Gasket removal That wasn't the thing I thought was ridiculous.I thought the prices were probably pretty much in line with labor rates these days.I thought it was a rip-off for many people who aren't savvy about vehicles to charge for a serpentine belt replacement seperately when it had to be done to do the water pump any way. I usually just use a gasket scraper and elbow grease also but couldn't get a good angle on this particular area.I was just going to fire up the cordless and wire brush it clean then spray it with some brake cleaner.I can but did not want to remove the alternator.Surprisingly enough the water pump doesn't have any of the accesories bolted to it. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" Last edited by PanelDeland; 01-28-2008 at 10:07 AM.

01-28-2008, 10:13 AM	#6
69long"n"low Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SURREY BC, CANADA Posts: 278	Re: Gasket removal please

01-28-2008, 10:14 AM	#7
69long"n"low Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SURREY BC, CANADA Posts: 278	Re: Gasket removal i would like to know about the chemical gasket romovers

01-28-2008, 10:15 AM	#8
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	Re: Gasket removal Spray it with some sort of lube (WD-40, etc.), let it sit over night & then start shaving away at it with a razor blade. __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

01-28-2008, 11:22 AM	#9
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Gasket removal yeah.it's soaking in brake clean right now.The razor scraper would not lift this section to peel it for some reason and it's where I have to use a mechanics mirror to even see it. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

01-28-2008, 11:32 AM	#10
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Gasket removal PanelDeLand, I'm with you in the idea that to charge for the installation of the serpentine belt would be an additional charge. The labor for the belt should be included in the labor that would be necessary to R&R the water pump. The idea that the belt labor is separate suggests that itemizing the labor for a given job is something that a shop might do, but to single out one part is not right. If that is to be the way jobs are done, then the shops, and their mechanics, will have to charge even more money for the time to list all of the procedures that are part of the total job. Neither the mechanics nor the shops have the time needed to set aside to itemize their actions. The steps needed to accomplish a water pump job include the belt replacement. If not, the job isn't complete. To charge for a new belt, no biggee, but not the labor when it's part of the job. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-28-2008, 11:46 AM	#11
72BLUZ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: lafayette, ga. Posts: 832	Re: Gasket removal brake cleaner will dry quick and not penetrate. if you have a angle grinder with a buffing pad would be fast and easy the hourly rate in our shop is $98.00 __________________ Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.... Ronald Reagan Last edited by 72BLUZ; 01-28-2008 at 11:47 AM.

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