So my car is leaving puddles of engine coolant and the low engine coolant warning light just came on. I'm having a mechanic look at it and before I left he thought it was probably the water pump. He claims that replacing the water pump will only cost $70 but there is alot of labor involved, like 4-5 hours worth. Is this accurate on this vehicle or is the guy trying to screw me on labor?

Engine size would help?

If its the old style 2.2 than it takes about 20 minutes (book time is probably around an hour)

If its a 2.4 than he is correct. Once the exhaust manifold, front timing chain cover, and the timing chain tensioner are removed the water pump/housing assembly can be removed. Have him through in a t-stat while he is in there. The pipe the t-stat is in bolts to the housing I'm sure he would only charge you for just the part and no additional labor.

yeah, it turns out it was a connector piece which he replaced, it ended up only being $100 for parts and labor.