I visited this shop for a remanufactured engine installation, which did not include a new water pump. The plan was to reuse the old one, but they called me saying they didn't like the condition of the existing pump. It wasn't leaking and worked perfectly fine, so a replacement wasn't covered under the warranty. Instead, they offered to sell me a new water pump for $137.48 out-of-pocket.
At the time, I was under the impression I was paying for a high-quality, name-brand water pump. They even mentioned that replacing it during the engine installation would save on labor costs. It seemed like a fair recommendation, and I trusted their judgment.
However, I later discovered that the part they installed -- a Valucraft BVC-2274 -- is one of the cheapest aftermarket water pumps available, typically selling online for $60-$70. Despite charging me over double its retail value, they didn't provide any indication that it was a budget-grade component. For that price, I expected a reliable, premium part, but instead, I got a product known for limited durability.
What frustrates me even more is that from a name like Midas, I expected much better. I trusted their reputation to provide higher-quality parts and services, but this makes me seriously question what kind of components they're using for other repairs. If this low-tier water pump is any indication, it's hard to feel confident about the standards they uphold.
To make matters worse, the Valucraft pump is notorious for lasting fewer miles -- often less than 60,000 -- and it voids the MaxCare warranty, as low-quality aftermarket parts aren't covered. This means I now have no warranty protection for the water pump, even though I paid a premium price. It feels like I was baited into an upsell under false pretenses, leaving me with both a substandard component and no coverage.
What frustrates me most is that replacing the water pump in this particular engine is a complex, time-intensive job. The process involves removing engine mounts, jacking up the engine, and several hours of labor. This is not an expense I can easily afford should the pump fail prematurely -- something that could have been prevented with transparency upfront about the part's quality.
I initially believed this shop had my best interests at heart, but in hindsight, it seems they used this situation to upsell an inexpensive part at an inflated price. This kind of deceptive practice is unacceptable.
Attached to this review is the invoice proving the $137.48 charge for the water pump. A quick online search for the part number (BVC2274) will confirm that it's a Valucraft pump -- an entry-level product sold at bargain-bin pricing.
To make matters worse, it was discovered nearly 1,000 miles after the engine installation that the engine oil had been significantly overfilled. I've attached a photo with a red line showing where the oil level should have been and a blue line marking how high it was actually filled. When I brought this to their attention, they dismissed the concern and claimed that's how it's supposed to be done -- which is clearly incorrect. Driving that long with too much oil can cause foaming, excess pressure, and potential internal damage. Since then, the vehicle has started making a strange rattling noise during the first few seconds after startup -- a sound that was never present before the engine replacement. This final issue speaks volumes about the lack of care and attention to detail I experienced at this shop.
Disclaimer: This review is based entirely on my personal experience and reflects my genuine opinion, shared here in good faith. read more
