Shop rec. in Rockville, MD

$600 may not be unreasonable...

As for Trailblazer mechanics in the area, I wish I could help you. As you know, this area is loaded with specialty mechanics servicing specific marques.

I know that a BMW water pump could be on its last leg without budging it with your hands. The fan blade always turns freely at rest, and two belts automatically tighten themselves thorugh a mechanism, therefore it is immobile. The warning signs come with dashboard service indicators (ie radiator, battery, water temp). Do you have a radiator symbol coming on from time to time?

When a BMW water pump locks up, the belts usually go too, and that is when you can easily move it around with your hands. At that point, you will want to replace the locked up water pump, fan blade, 2 belts, thermostat, and fan clutch. Of course, that's if you stop driving immediately after it happens, and it doesn't overheat.

Not knowing anything about a Chevy Trailblazer's water pump, I would be sure to have a AAA tow card available, and definitely not drive the truck if it overheats.

Michael

 

I don't know if they'll work on your Trailblazer -- but I can highly recommend Auto Centro in Rockville. They're family owned, and have always done good work on the cars I've brought there. Give them a call, and see what they say. (301-340-2444)

 

Conlon's automotive on Nebel street 301 816 0355. Tell them Juice referred you

 

i trust this guy with all my non-exotics. been using him for years. he is old school. he won't lie to you or sell you something you don't need. little story. my dad had a problem with his miata. the shop he took it to took apart the front end of the motor and told him he needed a new crankshaft because the key that holds the pully on had worn away the keyway. my dad said he was gonna scrap the car because it wasn't worth the money to tear the engine down and replace the crank. i bought it from him for the salvage price and took it to brian. he welded up the keyway on the crank and then ground it back into shape. put the key in, pully on and then drilled and installed two set screws just to be sure. all with the crank in the motor and the motor in the car. put the rest back together and i've been running smooth for a couple of years now. total cost out the door-$600. That's the kind of work this guy does. i could give you a hundred stories about the many astro vans i have owned and still own. the guy is amazing.

Brian's auto 301-562-8810 in silver spring.

 

Sent you a PM

 

Honda or Acura Motor Works off of Gude Drive. They don't work on anything else and they are not open on Fridays. I do like Executive Wholsale tire on Gude for alignments and other small jobs and only buy tires from Radial Tire in Sil Sprg.

 

+1 on Motor Works, been using them for years and sent many a H/A owner their way. They also do Toyotas now.

Will Executive Wholesale Tire do alignments with driver aboard and to custom settings? My rollerskate is real sensitive to weight and I have proven specs that differ from factory.

 

I agree, that would be the last place I would go back to, as well. I wasn't defending him. I was just saying I didn't know anything about a Trailblazer waterpump (maybe it moves-maybe it doesn't). I only know about BMW waterpumps not moving when they start going.

Anyway, I saw that you got a post above from Wet Pet. I would take his suggestion because his contact sounds both reasonable and honest, and also I know the exotic ride he drives, so he wouldn't want his cars messed up - couldn't hurt.

 

The only thing I would say, is to remove the tension from the belt, then check. If there is no play after you remove the tension, I would definitely stay away from them, though I might be tempted to first speak with the owner as it may be a tech with a loose sense of propriety.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

I do as much of my own work as I can. But when I need some help fixing my daily drivers, I take them to http://www.gaithersburgexxon.com. They have never steered me wrong and have always been fair.