new to forums. tuneup question

[jxkim]

hi i have a 99 camry with 115k on it

the car engine was really loud when idle so brought to get checked. was told timing belt. and since no major tune ups were done i did that as well. NEED YOUR HELP

one guy i called quoted me for 665, (im assuming sparks, air and fuel filters, ... what else) ended up going to the local place and he wanted 900+ but cut it down to 700 cash. is this guy a scam artist.. whats going on. i could just be paranoid since i have a hard time trsuting mechanics. he then said engine oil change was not included and i ended up paying 30 more, which costs him like $5 of supplies.

pls help me out, comments...

[Novice_cardude]

What all are you having replaced?

If it's just the plugs and wires, that's way too much. If he' replacing the distributer cap and rotor, and maybe doing some flushes, it's not that high I guess. I'd still like to know what all he's got you for though. $700 is a lot for a tuneup i think ...

I'm planning on tuning up my car as soon as I get some coolant. Gonna replace the radiator hoses, coolant flush, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and whatever breaks along the way. My budget is less than $200...

[toyomoho]

What do you mean by loud at idle; exhaust, valve train, front of engine where timing belt is? Does the engine run rough? Other then the miles on the car, why does the mechanic think the timing belt is making the noise?

If plugs, cap, etc you can do this yourself easy enough. The timing belt is low cost; the labor is where the money is. TN has online service manuals.

[hooRAH]

I think you need a little more information on why a timing belt was suggested. If the timing belt is making noise, then yes, it should be replaced with the idler and tensioner pulley.

If the car has a loud exhaust or idles high, then you're getting taken for a ride.