I had my timing belt/water pump changed at a shop in Annapolis last week.

(1990 325i)

Yesterday I noticed a coolent leak from the throttle-body plate/gasket. It looks like there was a pinhole sized crack in the gasket.

My question is: Is that part typically removed or could it have been damaged while they were replacing the water pump? I know gaskets eventually will start to leak, but I thought it seemed like an odd coincidence.

That fact that the shop wants to bill me 2.5 hours for labor is making me question everything. I don't really have many options since the car is in annapolis leaking coolant. Regardless, I don't have a place to work on it anyhow.

I just want to make sure I know what I'm talking about when I ask them about the repair. By the looks, you wouldn't even need to drain the coolant to replace the throttle body plate, correct?

Thanks,

Erik