Changing Timing Belt - Your Thoughts

**qwks4** · 01-20-2009 06:25 PM

So my engine was making noise and I took it into Independent Tuning this morning. I get a call from Bryan and the Hydraulic Dampener was shot so the T-Belt was flapping around (or something like that

).

Bryan says it's going to be the same labour as doing the whole T-Belt job with Water Pump and Thermostat, so he asks when the T-Belt was done last.

It was done 50,000kms ago by the previous owner but it was a cash job and there are no receipts (I had him sign a decleration when I bought the car, so I could go after him if something happened).

So at the end of the day, I'm going to pay $250CDN extra to just do the entire T-Belt job. I figure I should because then when i resell, there's proof and the buyer won't try to negotiate me down on that point.

What do you guys think?

**lookaught** · 01-20-2009 06:30 PM

$250 extra to change the water pump and thermostat? That's ridiculous, it takes like 15 extra minutes.

**jakecro** · 01-20-2009 06:40 PM

^^^ I think he is referring to the extra $$ he will be paying out for parts rather than labor.

**qwks4** · 01-20-2009 07:51 PM

No, $250CDN extra in parts to replace the entire timing belt kit with thermostat and water pump instead of just the tensioner. The labour is the same either way I go...

**jakecro** · 01-20-2009 08:20 PM

Yeah, that's what I was trying to say.

IMO I would say to go for it for the peace of mind alone.

**lookaught** · 01-20-2009 08:55 PM

Ok I understand now. Both 2.7t TB replacements that I have done included a new water pump and thermostat, but I don't recall them costing $250.

Regardless, yes I definitely agree to have them done at the same time for Peace of Mind.

**Klum00** · 01-21-2009 06:17 AM

without a doubt do it. it's not the hardest of jobs, but takes some time to get the front end off. you might as well have it done while the guy's in there...

**blmlozz** · 01-21-2009 06:22 AM

For a tb tensioner, belt thermostat and wp replacement $250 isn't too bad, it's inflated a bit but since you can get the same plus idle roller and tensioner roller for about $40 less on ecs but that is to be expected. Ask him if new idle and tensionr rollers are included in that price .

**S4_NE** · 01-21-2009 07:04 AM

IMO if the area is a part replace every part that will be needed,

**qwks4** · 01-21-2009 08:20 AM

Yeah, I'm doing it for piece of mind and to have a receipt proving the job was done which will help me with futur resale.

Haha... I guess I wasn't clear with the pricing.

Labour: 6hrs
TB Kit: $350CDN
Thermostat & Water Pump: $120CDN

Keep in mind that I live in Canada, so all these dollar figures seem high to you...

So I'm paying $470CDN for what ECS sells for $390USD. When you convert the currencies, ECS is $492CDN plus shipping/duty/brokering/etc. not to mention the time delay, vs. getting my car back right away...

**RedRocketS4** · 01-21-2009 08:47 AM

Get them to check your cam seals and crank seal while they're in there and replace them if necessary... or if you're anal like me, then just get them to replace the seals anyway. they're only a few dollars each and it would suck to have to go back in there again for that.