Yeah, I didn't really see this going anywhere, because obviously, you guys know what I know...basically nothing.

I don't have the time off work to just go gallivanting 1500 miles because of a water pump.

I wouldn't be asking if i had been there when it broke, i'd be fixing it right now

*mid post*
As of just now, I got off the phone with my friend who works at the local service station. He is gonna pick it up tomorrow, take it to the station, and check it out, free of charge. Then I'll know the price of what stuff will cost...but because its someone I know...maybe it'll be a little less.

Major load off. And we'll see who is paying for the replacement of what needs replacing...its kind of annoying to be this far away and kinda helpless to assistance.

Wow! That was a quick turnaround.

Turned out that the shop did the work without my approval, sorta pissed me off, but basically it was a mistake...my friend didn't handle the billing on it, and so it got all mixed up. But I still got the discounted price

BUT its fixed. It was the intake bypass. It was replaced with a metal one.

It was good, car was filled back up with coolant and driven by my friend 1.5 miles to the shop.

They said there was some issue with it breaking up inside or something and it taking almost 2 hours.

Total cost came to $110. Breakdown is...

Part: $10
Coolant: $15 (filled when picked up, and filled when done)
Labor: (almost 2 hours, normal customers $65/hr) $85

Car is now happy, back in working condition, and sleeping in the garage.

Oh well. Can't really complain about pricing when you don't do things yourself eh?

OEM nipple for that bypass is plastic and is bad about breaking right at the manifold. So you have to get the remains out w/o screwing up the threads. Not too bad a price for what things can cost these days. Glad to hear the news.
The Sled'* Caretaker

wow, 2 hrs labor. both of mine broke just as you described. i just used a screw extractor, and had them out in a couple minutes.

but the car is back on the road. thats what matters. glad its fixed.