zossy1 wrote:1red5 wrote:Hang on... I apologise if I missed something, but $400+ in labour for a water-pump and belts change?
Seriously?
Timing belt, tensioner and water pump change.
So yeah - here's my precis and the reason why I think $900+ a bit over the top:
* Under $200 for a timing belt kit and water pump kit;
* Air guide off, drain coolant and remove radiator, intake, valve cover, roll engine over to TDC and pull water pump pulley, lower pulley, and off come the accessory belts. With the aid of air tools, this takes around 25-30 mins.
* Pull the plastic cover off - IIRC it comes off in three pieces. Mark the pulleys, then pull the tensioner, idler/spring, and timing belt off. 30-40 mins tops.
* Pull water pump and feed tube off. This can be a pain if you have A/C and/or P/S as the pumps can get in the way. Even if those accessories are present, all it takes is to loosen the mounting bolts and move them aside temporarily. Between 5-15 mins.
* Clean the gasket mating surfaces. Much easier with an alloy surface finishing tool - 10 mins tops - but even nasty surfaces should be able to be cleaned with a razor blade or scraper in 20-30 mins.
* Remove cam gears, front crank seal and cam seals. 15 mins.
So far, 1 hour 45 mins or so. Maybe 2 hours.
* Reinstall water pump and feed tube with new gaskets and o-ring. Care needs to be taken, but 15-20 mins tops.
* Install new seals, and reinstall cam gears. 10 mins.
* Now the fun part - installing the timing belt with the new idler and tensioner. This could take 30 minutes if you don't have a cam gear locking tool, but with a cam gear locking tool (as most mechanics should have), 15-20 minutes should kill it.
* Home stretch now - plastic timing belt covers go back on, P/S and A/C pumps to be reattached if applicable. Pulleys back on, accessory belts back on, valve cover back on with new gasket. 30 mins tops - less without P/S and/or A/C.
* Radiator and air guide back in, reinstall intake, fill and burp cooling system, check for leaks, Beer o'clock.
Seriously - unless some disaster happens, 4 hours max! Maybe 5 if you work slowly or don't have air tools or a cam gear locking tool.
I wish you were based in victoria.... I got a quote for service and parts that has come to $700... from a recommended lube mobile mechanic, which is more impressive given that they are coming to me.... what to you guys think???
