Timing belt change cost for Gen 3 V6?

[Keyser Soze]

Anyone know approx. how much a timing belt/water pump change should cost on a 96 V6? I'm going to need it done soon, and want to make sure I'm not getting ripped off. I'm in the USA, if that matters.
Thanks!

[TheKevin]

Just call auto shops around your area. One guy told me someone came into his dad's shop for that and it cost about $700.

[smokey8890]

the belt are cheap but the labor is a bitch. around 500 sound right.

[marc780]

Wow it takes me 9 days to net $700. Im biting the bullet and doing mine for sure.
I priced these parts on napaonline.com, belt = $45, idler pulley $58, water pump $60. Seem to be cheapest ive seen.

In my opinion timing belts are a terrible idea. They should never have eliminated good old, dependable timing chains. Timing belts are nothing more than a bean-counting, cost cut -measure from the auto companies.

[Buurin]

Originally Posted by marc780

Wow it takes me 9 days to net $700. Im biting the bullet and doing mine for sure.

In my opinion timing belts are a terrible idea. They should never have eliminated good old, dependable timing chains. Timing belts are nothing more than a bean-counting, cost cut -measure from the auto companies.

Toyota is going back to chains with all the new 4 cylinders - the NZ, ZZ, AZ engines all use chains; so is the new GR family of V6 engines. Good for them.

[Super Kaioken]

Originally Posted by Buurin

Toyota is going back to chains with all the new 4 cylinders - the NZ, ZZ, AZ engines all use chains; so is the new GR family of V6 engines. Good for them.

i think it's because they're both new engines. Belts are old school.

I went to the Toyota dealer today and they quoted me for $300 just for the timing belt.

[95camguy]

i had my tb done about a year ago at a toyota dealer for $239+tax on my 95 v6. Also had all the other accesory/drive belts replaced at the same time so the total was like $330.

check the stealerships sometimes they have deals. plus they do it quick. i had my car back in 5 hours.


edit: on the other topic of chains vs. belts i think it has to do with noise. belts are quiter than chains. although having to replace them every 60k does get pricey.

[ag6286]

or with a little know how you could do it yourself for really cheap....its not that difficult, though can be very time consuming for someone who doesnt know what to do the first time. it takes me a couple hours, someone else for the first time maybe more like 4-6+

[Cyorke]

I would much rather have a belt than a chain. I had a 86 4x4 truck and the chain went out on it. Well really jsut eh guides but when they go you pretty much have to pull the oil pan to get out all the crap. Plus if a chain breaks, and they do break with less than 100k miles on it, you can pretty much count on major engine work because most chain driven engines are interference engines.

I would much rather spend 300 dollars every 60-90k miles and get my car back thesame day then have to replace valves and who know what else.

as for cost look around at some of your local dealers websites. alot of times they have coupones for timing belt replacement. You can get a 4 cyl done for about 200 dollars and the V6 for 250 or so. Just be prepared for them to try and upsell you seals, idlers and water pump. That can add up really quick

[RedruM]

just drive the shit outta the car, let the belt snap and then pull the motor out and do everything one time... all your seals belts waterpump and what not.. its the brown way to do things and it works... its cheaper in the end.

[BlackCamSe]

Originally Posted by RedruM

just drive the shit outta the car, let the belt snap and then pull the motor out and do everything one time... all your seals belts waterpump and what not.. its the brown way to do things and it works... its cheaper in the end.

But what happens if he does what you say and his old belt snaps at a high rpm?
Even though the belt-driven engines are non-interference engines at a high rpm there is still a good chance of fucking up his valves and what not.

[88 LE]

^^

Thats the if it ain't broke don't fix it mentality. But theres something called preventive maintainence.

[95camguy]

Originally Posted by RedruM

just drive the shit outta the car, let the belt snap and then pull the motor out and do everything one time... all your seals belts waterpump and what not.. its the brown way to do things and it works... its cheaper in the end.

with my luck i would break down on the way somewhere important, like work, then have to pay for a tow on top of losing a days pay. not necessarily cheaper.

[RedruM]

if you learn how to do work yourself you can really change the timing belt in 1.5 hours... i know cause i've lost a timing belt on the highway and have changed it right there and then... yes I do drive around with tools in my car and spare parts... I drive old cars and make sure i'm prepared.

[Eye8Pussies]

^ lol...that wasn't on the 3vz though I bet....it's a lot harder to change on the 3vz and the 1mz than on the afe's and age's