Mishap with replacement of timing belt!

[sampsongrsk]

I was almost half done with my replacement on a I4 98 (132k on original belt) but when i used the harmonic pulley remover, one of the bolts ( a 6m x 80mm 1.0) snapped inside the pulley.... so i am kinda up $&*^ creek without a paddle... I have managed to get everything back together without the power steering belt or timing belt cover on ( save mechanic some time on replacing it), can anyone recommend a possible remedy or a good mechanic in South Florida (broward county)???

Also, i have all the parts (new alt, power steering and timing belts and new water pump) and it has been a long time since i have been to a mechanic, can anyone give me an idea of what a fair repair price would be?

[Eye8Pussies]

a regular job should be around 250 or so for the labor on a 5sfe I think

but your worry should be more about the harmonic balancer with the broken stud in it....it won't be very well balanced now... if you were able to remove it, then go to a junkyard to pick up another one and use that. if not, then I guess you'll need a mech to take it out for you somehow

[greggf]

If it's USA built you should be able to get a new OEM pulley for $150 - still cheaper than having someone install it.

[nukem678]

Get one of those ez out bolt extractors for like 20 bucks at sears.

[sampsongrsk]

thanks for all the advice, i think i will look into getting one at sears and if not, then I will go and get it done professionally, hopefully it doesnt cost an arm and a leg

[ASG14]

Only 2 mechanics I recommend. My personal one here in CT, and Jap Auto Inc in Hollywood, FL. I think it;s at the intersection of 441 and Pines??? It;s RIGHT next to a NAPA, and the shop is set in a bit, so hard to spot. Went there once, and love the place. Several friend have been there, and nothing but top notch service, and good prices.

[sampsongrsk]

thanks, ill look them up and call them first thing tomorrow morning!

[ASG14]

954-989-6600
6031 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, FL 33024


Hope that helps. Not positive it;s the right number though. If it means anything, they DO NOT advertise. ALL thier business is word of mouth. 2WickedToyz on the Forums here turned me onto them. Good luck.

[yiujai86]

I bought my Gen3.5 from Autotech USA back in 2003. They are located between Stirling and griffin on 441. I've only took my gen3 there and only there and i've never tried any other place so i wouldn't know if they are good or bad. But so far everything they fixed works i.e. brake pump, timing belt, ac condenser, stuff like that. There is also a (U-Pull-It Car Junk Yard) right down the street from them; one block north of griffin and 441.

And maybe I'll check out the place on Pines and 441 so they can change my springs and struts and put in new brake rotors.

[hooRAH]

The only time we've ever taken the camry anywhere was after I had done the entire timing belt job and the oil pump seals, only to find that when I put it all back together it was the oil pump o-ring that was leaking.

Anyway, we took the car to "Eric's Wrench" in Delray Beach. I don't have a phone number in front of me, but he's in the phone book with a decently sized ad. He may have some helpers, but its basically a one man show, and he really knows his stuff. Slightly on the expensive side (I think it was $350 for all of the labor to replace the timing belt (again) and the oil pump seal and the rest of the front oil seals).

I usually play dumb when I go to the mechanic and don't let them know that I know a lot about cars to see how they treat me. This guy was completely honest, gave me the old parts without asking, and finished the job pretty quickly.

Shop is somewhere in an industrial complex near the Tri-Rail station in Delray, near Atlantic Ave and Congress (roughly). If you can't find him, I'll dig around for a phone number.

[sampsongrsk]

my car is at jap auto right now, im guessing 300-330 for replacing timing belt water pump and removing broken bolt in harmonic pulley... ill update tomorrow with details!

[ghettosled]

drill out the broken bolt and re-tap the holes. this is a minor set-back, no need to take it into a shop. too bad the car isnt in columbus, i know of a good mechanic there.

[Camryamnesty]

Drive it here to vero beach, and ill have it out and all back together in about 15 mins lol

[sampsongrsk]

would have drove it to vero !

went to jap's all in all it totaled out to be 428 (few hours of labor, and a complete water pump, back included since it was too rusted to split apart) a bit steep but i was expecting that to be roughly the total after tax