chaadster

No Big Dave me, I took my ride to a repair shop to have the tb/wp thing done. Even with my "good guy / wine guy" discount, the total was $1,642.

This was for new belt, new waterpump, new accessory belts, one cam gear, tensioner and idler rollers, thermostat/seal/housing, coolant and a 5w30 oil change and filter.

You can send your donations to: Chaad (thats with two 'A's) Thomas at....

Just thought I keep the board up-to-date on current ownership costs in my neck of the woods, especially for any of those curious, would-be owners doing their research out there.

Big Dave

Ouch. Your timing belt job cost nearly as much as my rebuild.

Don't forget you need to check/retension that belt in about 1,500 miles.

Jim_H

Yikes

G Man

A good reason to learn how to do this type of maitnence at home.

heinrich

That's very reasonable. I wouldn't do it for much less, it is a hell of a job. And about half that was parts.

heinrich

agreed

heinrich

Dave, a very reputable guy locally did your rebuild a few years back, and the total was $10k. Yep.... you are saving by doing it all on your own. Did you end up using the valves?

Bill Ball

That was very fair, as Heinrich says. Did they install a NEW tensioner? That's $400 or so right there, even though it probably just needed rebuilding.

Garth S

As Jim's reaction to 5W-30 oil, allow me to add a ... Drain that out for your domestic fleet, and replace with something of greater viscocity, like a 5W-40 Delvac, 15W-40 GTX dino, 15W-50 Mobil 1 ... see Doug H's reports on 928 oils.

AO

Chaadster-
So did he call you the next morning to thank you?
Next time, let us help you. These cars are not rocket science, and you can tackle just about any job on them yourself - including a total engine rebuild as evedinced by BigDave. I assume the guy is going to re-tension it as part of the tab, right? Either way, when you're ready for the re-tension, let us know so we can help you with checking it for peace of mind.
The one thing that would worry me would be the tensioner warning system. I've heard too many horror stories about mechanics and POs just tightening the tensioner until the light goes out - not the correct method - by far. We can do it at my house if needed.
Also, I agree on the oil. 5w-30 is way too light for these cars. I run Castrol GTX 10w40. I tried 15w50, but that was a bit too thick. If you go synthetic, be prepared for oil pan leaks. That's what happened to me, so I swtched back and the leaks stopped (I'd also tightened up the oil pan bolts, but the car seems happier on the dino oil.).
So you going to SITM?

Big Dave

Yes, I used the valves. Thanks again! I need to put together a big "thank you" list for everyone here that's helped out with parts, advice and support.

chaadster

Thanks for the heads-up on the oil weight, guys. I'll get back to the shop and find out why they spec'd that and see if they will change it out for me.

Oh, there is not a new tensioner in that cost, just a rebuild, though as Heinrich guessed, parts total was still $719.

Andrew, thanks for the kind offer of help-- you had put that out there for me before, but what can I say, I just wasn't ready to tackle it! I'm watching the odo, so once it's time for a tension check, I'd love to enlist your help. Thanks again. As for SITM, hmm, I haven't decided yet. Is a caravan forming up for the trip down? I could be persuaded!

WallyP

Chaad,

I would suggest that you get the tensioner that was removed - it can possibly be rebuilt and save some other owner some serious money.

AO

Well let me try and persuade you then... 'cause all the cool people are going.

Dannis and Stan are heading down on Thusday morning and will stop somewhere along the way to overnight it.
BigDave and I are heading out Thursday right after work and will probably meet up with Dennis and Stan wherever they are. Then we'll all caravan in to Banner Elk on Friday late morning/afterrnoon. I think we'll all head out on Saunday morning/afternoon. Should be a blast.

Oh. and if you are interested, you better try and get a room. I heard they were filling up. You can always cancel it if things don't work out.

Big Dave

So far, I believe it's me, Andrew, Dennis, Stan and maybe a few others. It looks like we'll be meeting up with some Ohio people on the way, too.