T-belt done at dealership?

[Carl_G]

Well, it's time to get the timing belt, water pump, drive belt, and whatever else needs replacing in there at 140,000 kms. The dealership and my independant mechanic are very close in price (dealer maybe about a hundred cheaper). I am leaning towards the dealership since they do a lot of these and if anything ever went wrong maybe there's a bit more recourse. Anyway, just wondering if you guys would trust the dealership to do a top quality job. I have it booked for Tuesday, complimentary courtesy car.

 

[Bossman]

Just had my timing belt done at 135,000 kms by my local Toyota dealer. There is only one mechanic that works on my T4R when I bring it in, so he knows it very well (and I trust him).

As long as you are confident in the work by the mechanic, either dealership or independent is probably fine.

I just like the dealership (who I have dealt with for over 25 years) because if something did go wrong, they would stand behind their customer satisfaction policy - and they have proven this to me in the past.

 

[paraordnance]

Any comments on price? Would be nice to know since mine is coming up and I need to know how much I should put away for that not cheap procedure :bash:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Well, it's time to get the timing belt, water pump, drive belt, and whatever else needs replacing in there at 140,000 kms. The dealership and my independant mechanic are very close in price (dealer maybe about a hundred cheaper). I am leaning towards the dealership since they do a lot of these and if anything ever went wrong maybe there's a bit more recourse. Anyway, just wondering if you guys would trust the dealership to do a top quality job. I have it booked for Tuesday, complimentary courtesy car.

Be cautious... I would suspect the dealer (just 'cause I don't trust them) is NOT providing things that your indi mechanic is. Good to replace items like tensioners, idler pulleys, water pumps, maybe an accessory drive belt, a bypass hose, radiator hose etc. may not be in both quotes. Make sure you are truly comparing apples-to-apples. This basic engine has been around so long, starting as the 4.0L Lexus and evolving into your motor in the Tundra I would think the indi shop would be fine.

Obviously, if after studying the quotes, the dealer is the better deal then do it with them.

Just my 2cents

 

[jetboy1975]

I wouldn't mind hearing the estimates too. Mine is due soon but I only take it to the dealer here because it has alot of systems that I have found non toyota mechanics don't understand or have any experience with (xreas for example) A regular mechanic even screwed up the brakes because they didn't know you had to replace the special clips (which don't come with the pads) All mechanics have horror stories, not just dealers. You just need to have a little knowledge so you don't get taken advantage of. I also found the dealers to be faster (so cheaper if by the hour instead of book times) because they are more familiar with the intricacies of the vehicle.

 

[Carl_G]

Those are all excellent comments; thanks. The dealer said 850 taxes included for the t-belt, water pump, drive belt. And I am not sure about the miscellaneous items though like the pulleys. Unfortunately I don't have time to research everything but I will continue with the dealer and let you guys know how much the final cost is and how it works out. I have a feeling it will be more around 1000 when all is said and done. Sounds like it's a toss up between dealer and indie. I hope the mechanic at the dealer is good. It's my first time there.

 

[810moto]

Those are all excellent comments; thanks. The dealer said 850 taxes included for the t-belt, water pump, drive belt. And I am not sure about the miscellaneous items though like the pulleys. Unfortunately I don't have time to research everything but I will continue with the dealer and let you guys know how much the final cost is and how it works out. I have a feeling it will be more around 1000 when all is said and done. Sounds like it's a toss up between dealer and indie. I hope the mechanic at the dealer is good. It's my first time there.

for almost a grand, you should check the mechanic that drives your runner.

 

[Ruffian]

An off roading friend of mine co-owns a shop, and he's a master Toy Tech. I went to him at 90,000 miles and we talked about what we're going to replace.
This is the list and the price of the part that I'm buying from the local dealership on "Wholesale Wednesdays". The Auburn dealership offers parts at cost on Wed. from 3 pm to 6 pm. So even though this is a large expense, I'm only paying for bits and pieces (literally) a bit at a time. I'll post 2 prices, the 1st one is the normal everyday retail price and the 2nd is wholesale.
Timing belt, 62.62/50.10
Water pump, 150.22/120.18
2 O rings, 10.89/8.71
Thermostat, 23.08/18.46
Therm. gasket, 6.92/5.54
Antifreeze 2 gal., 25.39/20.31
Serpentine Belt, 59.30/47.44
Rear pad (brakes), 71.99/57.59
ATF fluid 4 quarts, 5.12/4.10

I'll also be doing the diffs & T-case fluid change out again. So add in 6 1/2 quarts of the fully synthetic gear oil from either Royal Purple or Lucas Oil but I won't add that in to this price as I still have a few bottles from the last change. I'm going to do this change with the oil change that will be due about this same time, on my own time. No sense in paying him to do something I can do. I don't know if I want to tackle the transmission & ATF on my own. I'm thinking if I am confident enough to do the others, I can figure it out, but more research and studying is needed.

So parts there is at $332.43, tack on at least another est. $30 in taxes, = $362.43 est. +/- with taxes. Instead of $120 an hour labor at the dealership, I'll be paying $50 an hour. He said he could get this done in 4 hours, but it's safe to budget twice that in case bolts are stuck, broken or just unforeseen issues. So I'll make sure I have $400-600 ready to pay him for his time. Total of $762.43 to $962.43 sounds right about what the rest of you are paying.

 

[paraordnance]

Those are all excellent comments; thanks. The dealer said 850 taxes included for the t-belt, water pump, drive belt. And I am not sure about the miscellaneous items though like the pulleys. Unfortunately I don't have time to research everything but I will continue with the dealer and let you guys know how much the final cost is and how it works out. I have a feeling it will be more around 1000 when all is said and done. Sounds like it's a toss up between dealer and indie. I hope the mechanic at the dealer is good. It's my first time there.

$850 thats aint bad at all, I was more thinking like $2000 considering the parts alone can be well over $400. Not sure if timing belt kit from e-bay below has everything included or not

Timing Belt Kit Toyota 4 Runner 2003 2004 V8 2UZFE 4.7L: eBay Motors (item 170429983508 end time Jun-07-10 14:53:17 PDT)

or should I stick with OEM parts?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

$850 thats aint bad at all, I was more thinking like $2000 considering the parts alone can be well over $400. Not sure if timing belt kit from e-bay below has everything included or not
Timing Belt Kit Toyota 4 Runner 2003 2004 V8 2UZFE 4.7L: eBay Motors (item 170429983508 end time Jun-07-10 14:53:17 PDT)

or should I stick with OEM parts?

I'd do it. Chances are many if not all of those parts are from the OE vendors. It looks wonderfully comprehensive and complete. Those are all items I'd want to replace and I'll bet many dealer jobs don't put all those components in... To my knowledge Toyota doesn't 'bundle' a kit and therefore I'd bet what's replaced, I suspect, varies dealer-to-dealer, shop-to-shop.

I'd also type "Timing Belt Kit Pro sucks" into Google and see what comes up.

 

[Bossman]

From my local Toyota dealer, parts (timing belt, v belt) came to $200 CAN and labour (5 hours, but only charged for 4) was $370 = $570 CAN.

The dealership did inspect the water pump and there were no leaks to be found. I was prepared to go ahead and replace it when planning for this t-belt service, but in the end we decided not to replace it at this time.

We did not change out any tensioners or pulleys.

With water pump, I would have been up close to or just over $800 CAN.

 

[paraordnance]

From my local Toyota dealer, parts (timing belt, v belt) came to $200 CAN and labour (5 hours, but only charged for 4) was $370 = $570 CAN.

The dealership did inspect the water pump and there were no leaks to be found. I was prepared to go ahead and replace it when planning for this t-belt service, but in the end we decided not to replace it at this time.

We did not change out any tensioners or pulleys.

With water pump, I would have been up close to or just over $800 CAN.

For some reason I dont feel secure replacing just a t-belt no matter what dealer says. I did myself a t-belt job on my previous Audi A8 and know what involved first-hand, water pump and various cam seals were right there and easly accessible. Water pump might hold up to 300k km but bearings on tensioners and pulleys usually give up a lot sooner.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

For some reason I dont feel secure replacing just a t-belt no matter what dealer says. I did myself a t-belt job on my previous Audi A8 and know what involved first-hand, water pump and various cam seals were right there and easly accessible. Water pump might hold up to 300k km but bearings on tensioners and pulleys usually give up a lot sooner.

:iagree: and I also have the philosophy "while your in there do it. It's such a PIA to get in there!" An exterior idler, accessory belt etc I don't care. I'll deal with those as they come up. BTW, I Googled Timing Belt Kit Pro, looks good to me, I'd definitely take that route.






I don't have to though, I'll be out for a nice summer ride in 2wd while you guys are workin:lmao: It's not often us V6 guys get to take a shot at the V8. :lmao: Truth is, to do all over again, I'd have a 4.7L in a used GX instead of my '07. I love Lexwoody's ride.

 

[Carl_G]

T-Belt at independant mechanic

So I decided to go with my independant mechanic who I trust and have dealt with for many years. I told him to replace anything that is even slightly questionable. At 140,000 kms (about 87000 miles) it turns out the drive belt was in rough shape and the water pump was leaking slightly. The t-belt itself looked great but he said all it takes is a small crack in one place and that would do it, even if the rest of the belt looked good. It's only as strong as it's weakest link. So for 1086 total, here is what was replaced (with oem parts of course) And another thing I like is that he always invites me to take a look at the parts he replaced; I never have to ask.

Timing Belt
Thermostat and gasket
Drive Belt
Water Pump and seal
Tensioner pulley
Idler pulley
Dexcool

He also cleaned carbon buildup out the throttle body.

Anyway, it's done!

Thanks again for the input everyone, it helped me with the decision.

 

[Big_John]

$850 thats aint bad at all, I was more thinking like $2000 considering the parts alone can be well over $400. Not sure if timing belt kit from e-bay below has everything included or not

Timing Belt Kit Toyota 4 Runner 2003 2004 V8 2UZFE 4.7L: eBay Motors (item 170429983508 end time Jun-07-10 14:53:17 PDT)

or should I stick with OEM parts?

Just had mine at the dealership and a 90k service as well and the t-belt total bill inc tax 1037.23

 

[soundstudio315]

I found a independent shop that mainly deals with Toyota. In my case they were/are toyota certified master techs that open up their own shops, and usually drive toyotas themselves. I paid just under 1,200 but they did alot of the "extra" maintenance and replaced things that you should do since they have access to it. I even drove 400miles to the shop to get it done. Find a shop like that and you'll sleep better at night.