Hey everyone. I bought my car back in August of 2004. The first thing I did was swap out my timing belt and water pump.

My odom stopped working about a year ago.

I will be approaching the two year mark soon and I drive my car every day about 70 miles.

When should I get that belt swapped out again?

 

70 days x 365 days in a year = 25,480 miles.
Add on most of another year...you're looking at another 20,000 miles or so..


I would change them soon.

 

yeah I have read that it should be done at 30,000 miles but can also be done at 45,000 miles.

Not sure which one to go with on that one.

What is a fair price to have it replaced?

I have to go to a shop and will not be able to do this myself.

 

I would stick with 30k. Why risk it?
A local shop quoted me about $1200 to do the belts, water pump, and rollers awhile back. I don't recall the exact figure. I think just the belts alone were around 8 or 900. But why risk it?

 

just think of it this way. 1200 to do all belts, etc. or 3000 for a head rebuild. So yeah why risk it change them ASAP

Brandon

 

$1200?? Is that what a shop charges to do the job?? Seems a little high for 3 hours worth of work and less than $200 in parts and that is if you do all the seals and pulleys too. No wonder people scrap these cars all the time with broken belts. Glad I dont have to pay someone else to work on mine. I dont trust anyone anyway.

30k is suggested. Mine had about 65k on the belt when I got it, but I wouldnt trust it that long if it were me.

John
Deland FL
83 944
99 328iC

 

Less than $200 in parts for belts, rollers and a water pump? On what planet? 8-)

Remember, you're going to be paying retail or close to it for the parts at a shop and you're probably going to have a tough time finding a shop to put in a rebuilt (re:cheap) water pump AND back the installation of said water pump.

 

Did I say water pump?? I dont recall him asking about the water pump. If you reread his post you will see that he did the pump at about 25k ago and was asking about the belt. I personally wouldnt replace the pump that soon. I would wait til the next belt change.

OK so less than $350 and 4 hours. It is still ridiculous what they charge. At that labor rate they should sell the parts wholesale. I am in the wrong business.

 

OK for a new pump add an extra $100

 

"A local shop quoted me about $1200 to do the belts, water pump, and rollers awhile back"

That's why I mentioned the water pump. The first poster to throw out the $1200 number specifically put a water pump in there. And a new one ain't going for $100 afaik.

And I hear you on the labor rate but it is what it is. I charge $150 an hour for a two man crew and my business is fairly technical (home automation). I'd hate to see what the labor rate would be for TWO techs to work on my car.

Regards.

 

No I meant $100 extra for a new one over a reman. I still cant beleive a shop would charge $1200. It took me less than 3 hours to do mine including a water pump. And there was a fair bit of beer involved.

 

I figure $400 at 40k miles or $.01/ mile, timing and balance belts only. Water pump, seals and rollers every other belt, more money. I will put on my flame suit and say I think the 30K belt change interval is outdated, especially if it is done right and with the upgraded water pump.
Time to run,
Lou

 

If a train leaves Chicago and a train leaves New Orleans....


Do it at 30K. Learn to do it yourself. What you pay in tools will pay for itself INSTANTLY.

Steve (unrepentant DIYer)

 

I agree... do it yourself... Its not that hard.