timing belt labor

[diverscale]

Have not gotten the work done yet.

I was passing by the dealer here in Joplin and wanted to get a price for the timing belt job. My truck is around 186K miles with one belt change at 96K miles. I might just let them do it and reply when the work gets finished.

After reading the great "how to" thread by another forum member, it doesn't seem that hard. But I am missing a couple of tools and assistance from a real life person if I run into a major hurdle. For example: Like a broken bolt, I have already had that problem with my original brakes. That was a major pain.

nothing seems hard when reading ''how to'', or listening to people online stating 4 hours jobs takes them 1 hour while having time to drink a beer. But nobody talks about the seized and broken bolts and all the crap that happens.

On my kinda-rusty 98 4runner, the job took me at least 16 hours, which was 2 week-end days, and that is with experience and a fully equipped garage and extensive air tooling. It was a pretty extensive job contrary to what you can hear.

Just so you know before you take your decision.

 

[octanejunkie]

nothing seems hard when reading ''how to'', or listening to people online stating 4 hours jobs takes them 1 hour while having time to drink a beer. But nobody talks about the seized and broken bolts and all the crap that happens.

On my kinda-rusty 98 4runner, the job took me at least 16 hours, which was 2 week-end days, and that is with experience and a fully equipped garage and extensive air tooling. It was a pretty extensive job contrary to what you can hear.

Just so you know before you take your decision.

Imagine you're paying a shop with the same tools and experience mentioned above $85 an hour and it takes them 16 hours due to the customer's vehicle/circumstances (rust, broken bolts, etc)

That can happen too, and they probably aren't gonna comp you the extra hours; beers or not.

I've done plenty of timing belt/chain jobs, most of them went well. The first time on a new (or new to you) vehicle always takes the longest. If you are unsure or lacking in tools and experience, and especially if it's your DD, let someone else do it.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[diverscale]

If you are unsure or lacking in tools and experience, and especially if it's your DD, let someone else do it.

Thanks for stating a second time exactly what I have said.

 

[cpapa1783]

you want to talk to,

Marlaine Ruby
BDC Manager
Hyannis & Orleans Toyota
Phone: (774) 487-3379

I have the quote in writing, if it comes down to it. I was in disbelief after speaking with the NJ dealer, so that I aksed in writing from the MA dealer.

Hey bro, wondering if you had the timing belt done yet down the Cape?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[spmarfatia]

I did get the timing belt changed. But not at Cape. before I could make it to the Cape, my Radiator ended up leaking in NJ, (not the strawberry milkshake!) and while getting the radiator changed urgently at the local mechanic, that I have used for over 7 years for various repairs, I saw him change a Lexus V8 timing belt in front of me. Which gave me a little confidence to give him a chance to change the timing belt. Also, I read somewhere here how someone suggested to prefer local guy VS multi national corporations and rich owner dealerships. So, I showed the Toyota quote to him, and told him, if he wants to do the job to match the quote, he can have the job. And he accepted it. I think the toyota quote didn't include the crank and cam seals.


I decided to look the other way if my bolts are not torqued or not all went in the same way as they came out. there were a ton of bolts, that I saw him take off, I am not sure if all of them went in the same places or not! But I have no reason to believe they didn't either! This guys does this everyday, and may be have it down that he can do it half sleep! and still feel all bolts to the right torques and places. ( I have never seen him use a torque ranch! ) In any case, if I had done it my self, I would been a lot bigger danger to the job. I didn't have a good plan on getting the harmonic balancer out.

Bottom line, I paid about $350 in labor to change radiator, drive belts, timing belt, water pump, crank seal and cam seals, pulleys, tensioners etc. total about 16-17 parts. most of that would come off any way to do the timing belt, and couple that would be more time.

I drove a couple of hundred miles since the change, and everything seems to be normal.

All of this work was done in NJ. close to Paterson.

I have about 200K on the car. I bought it at 100K, and didn't have any confirmation from the previous owner that timing belt or waterpump were changed. so I was counting it as not being done. But my timing belt and waterpump that came off, looked pretty good! there was one of the pulleys or bearing or the water pump or belt that was making chik-chik noise when running, not sure which one was it. that noise is gone now. But other than that everything was in pretty good shape, and not close to any sort of disintegration. I am glad to have that job out of the way though. since I have invested a lot of money in doing suspension etc. lately, so now I have to protect my investments. Frame and body and interior are in great shape too. so, I think I am hoping for long life out of it now.

 

[ultimatt]

This why I purchased access to Alldatadiy...according to their files the book rate for labor to replace a water pump is 3.5 hours labor (with AC, 3.0 hours without AC). Assuming your dealer charges in the $100 per hour range you can see that labor to replace a water pump should be around $350. The site also gives you factory part numbers and all service steps.

Now, and this is important, before you request any work you need to know what to ask for. If I wanted to get my timing belt and water pump changed I would ONLY ASK for the water pump to be changed...but I would give them the new timing belt and drive belts to install when they reassemble. The drive belts and timing belt must all come off to do the water pump, so their should be no charge to simply put new parts back on. If they balk at this you can print the service steps from alldata showing these belts must come off to do the water pump.

I have done this many times with my dealer. Show up informed and call them on their BS. If they want more labor hours than Toyota allows, report them.

BTW...if you have never replaced the false water pump (fan bracket) do that as well (has to come off during water pump or timing belt service). Everyone I know with a 3.4 had the bearing go on this part eventually. See part here -http://a.co/2cZma5K

 

[cgrhyne]

This why I purchased access to Alldatadiy...according to their files the book rate for labor to replace a water pump is 3.5 hours labor (with AC, 3.0 hours without AC). Assuming your dealer charges in the $100 per hour range you can see that labor to replace a water pump should be around $350. The site also gives you factory part numbers and all service steps.

Now, and this is important, before you request any work you need to know what to ask for. If I wanted to get my timing belt and water pump changed I would ONLY ASK for the water pump to be changed...but I would give them the new timing belt and drive belts to install when they reassemble. The drive belts and timing belt must all come off to do the water pump, so their should be no charge to simply put new parts back on. If they balk at this you can print the service steps from alldata showing these belts must come off to do the water pump.

I have done this many times with my dealer. Show up informed and call them on their BS. If they want more labor hours than Toyota allows, report them.

BTW...if you have never replaced the false water pump (fan bracket) do that as well (has to come off during water pump or timing belt service). Everyone I know with a 3.4 had the bearing go on this part eventually. See part here -http://a.co/2cZma5K

My buddy owns a service station, and he quotes based on alldata. I get reduced rates from him, so take this with a grain of salt, but he just did the whole timing belt kit install for 500 (cash). He does a lot of timing belt changes and uses the Dayco kits with all the components (water pump, timing belt, hydraulic timing belt actuator, camshaft belt tensioner, camshaft belt idler). He runs an honest station and quotes/invoices as such. I’d think something around 650 would be a good price for a local service station. Do your research, find an honest local mechanic, and give him some money.

 

[LittleCaesar]

^^^^^^
The previous poster has to have set a record. He has been a member for a decade but hasn't posted once yet until now. Impressive, to say the least. And welcome!

Changing belts isn't too hard, just have to know how it all lines up. Where one is worth their shadtree mechanic salt is when something doesn't go right per the FSM or such and the fix has to be worked out on the fly.

I have seen TB/H20 replacement costs over the years, mostly for OEM part packages, vary from $300 to $1200.

 

[97FR_brad]

Did the work begin already?

Let me know once all done to see if you are satisfied with the whole process?

I may not get to it for a few weeks, even a few months. depending when I visit my family there next time.

Thanks.

Finally got the work done. The dealership received my 4Runner yesterday morning. They gave me a loaner Tacoma to drive. Got the belts, pulleys, water pump, and a couple other things I can’t remember changed. They also ran into a little problem with a 21 year old truck when pulling off one of the pulley bolts. The threads from the block came out with the bolt. So they also had to fix that with a Helicoil. I got the truck back today before dinner. Kinda glad I let them do this job since I would have been inexperienced fixing a broken bolt on the block of the engine. Parting with the money was the hardest step for me. But now I don’t have to think about getting this repair done again until 290k is on the odometer.
One last thing, all parts and labor are covered for one year.

 

[MOYotas]

Finally got the work done. The dealership received my 4Runner yesterday morning. They gave me a loaner Tacoma to drive. Got the belts, pulleys, water pump, and a couple other things I can’t remember changed. They also ran into a little problem with a 21 year old truck when pulling off one of the pulley bolts. The threads from the block came out with the bolt. So they also had to fix that with a Helicoil. I got the truck back today before dinner. Kinda glad I let them do this job since I would have been inexperienced fixing a broken bolt on the block of the engine. Parting with the money was the hardest step for me. But now I don’t have to think about getting this repair done again until 290k is on the odometer.
One last thing, all parts and labor are covered for one year.

Hey Brad, I wish I would've seen this post sooner. I live in Webb City and have owned, modded, and worked on Toyota's the last 15 years (mostly 3.4's). I would've helped you out for free. I usually go to Mike at the service desk for my Wife's Camry since it is covered under warranty still. He has treated us well every time. If you ever need help with anything else or want to meet up PM me and I'll give you my number.

 

[cblock406]

I would encourage anyone that is mechanicaly inclined to do this service themselves. I’m not a master mechanic or engineer, just someone that has grown up working on cars and always tries to do their own maintenance. It took me a solid 6-7 hours but it wasn't a difficult job, just time consuming. Couldn’t magine paying someone around a thousand dollars to do it. There is something satisfying you about doing it yourself and saving the money.! My paycheck is decent but not enough to no save money here.

 

[mtbtim]

For those DIYer Wrenchers, [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I have a video you could use to do the job yourself. Since shooting the video, we learned a few things so a Part 2 to the video below will be coming out soon.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vHC46ypHxWc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mErd7xoBS9I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[SodiumFlouride]

With you supplying parts, it would be labor only at $259. There would be no warranty on the parts.

I didn't know mechanics allow you to supply the parts.

Is that common?

 

[spmarfatia]

I always supply parts to my mechanic. Only in a pinch let him buy them.

Even toyota dealers, some, will take your genuine or upgraded, parts. I don't think they will take Napa/Autozone etc. parts though. But you can give them Bilstein shocks or Brambo brake parts and even the dealer will gladly install them. Of course, they won't warranty the parts!

 

[amalik]

I didn't know mechanics allow you to supply the parts.

Is that common?

depends on the size of the shop. a dealer? no, probably wouldn't allow it. a small shop that makes you sign a letter that says you won't ask them to warranty the parts you bring? no problem.

 

[97FR_brad]

Hey Brad, I wish I would've seen this post sooner. I live in Webb City and have owned, modded, and worked on Toyota's the last 15 years (mostly 3.4's). I would've helped you out for free. I usually go to Mike at the service desk for my Wife's Camry since it is covered under warranty still. He has treated us well every time. If you ever need help with anything else or want to meet up PM me and I'll give you my number.

Pm’ed ya!
Hope to hear from you. Would be nice to 4 wheel with another 4Runner owner!
By any chance, Did we meet at the target parking lot about a year ago?

 

[7echo]

I didn't know mechanics allow you to supply the parts.

Is that common?

My indie shop will install what ever I give them. But they know it will likely be OEM. I have been going there for years and sent them a lot of business.

 

[97FR_brad]

And this post is a good example of why I took my truck into get serviced by a shop.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/247019-need-help-removing-broken-valve-cover-bolt.html

Like I said even the mechanic at the dealership stripped out the threads from the block on my engine. I would have been bummed out had it happened to my inexperienced skills. Lucky they had the tools, parts, and knowledge to fix it.

Sometimes it’s better not to get in over your head just to save a couple of bucks.

I wish the guy in the post good luck removing his broken bolt.

 

[Kelevra]

Never been so torn on attempting a job myself, or paying someone a fair rate to do it, haha, seriously, you fellas have covered the pro's & cons for sure.


Question: With an 02 T4R with 60K miles, would you replace the timing belt/water pump?

I am definitely installing a new radiator shortly, as I don't want to fark around and take chances with a near-16 year old rad/trans cooler.

That's the thing, I'm changing the Radiator, I feel like I'm almost 20% of the way to the timing belt job, haha.

 

[octanejunkie]

Timing belt, wp, etc at 100k

Rad now if it's brown with hairline cracks

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk