SW21 Service Questions

[Itech]

Hey guys, I just bought a SW21, 91 MR2 N/A. It has 165,000 miles on it and I'm wondering what I should do. Previous owner did not have any service records of any sort and purchased the car at 154,000. So he hasn't had it for long. Should I hope that the belt and pump stuff was all changed at 120k and just travel on or is there any easy way to check. I am kind of iffy on taking it to a mechanic cuz i know they want the money. I'm decently mechanically inclined so please help me out. Thanks. Any tips would be great.

[CentralPower]

Even if it was done at 120k, that's not far off and not worth being stranded or worse, have it leak coolant and overheat before you realize it - frying the entire motor. Not to mention if your t-stadt decides to pull a magic trick and stay closed.

MC terms:

t-belt $10-30
water pump $35-75
coolant $20
T-stadt $10

Price not to blow your top, priceless.

And you get to spend some time with your love!

I did my first timing and pump job on an MR2 N/A about 8 years ago! If you need help, I don't mind giving you pointers. A mechanic will totally ream you and use crap parts. I also have a water pump I never used, let me know if you need it.

[NESW20]

Originally Posted by CentralPower

A mechanic will totally ream you and use crap parts.

some people on this board might take offense to that statement. most techs are honest people just out there to make a living doing quality work for customers.

-Mike

[Itech]

Originally Posted by NESW20

some people on this board might take offense to that statement. most techs are honest people just out there to make a living doing quality work for customers.

-Mike

Well I'm going to get all factory toyota parts to fix the car with.

[NESW20]

yeah, definitely for a timing belt job, get Toyota parts. a new Toyota water pump is going to be a little pricey (maybe around $125, IIRC), but good quality. i would recommend only using Toyota Long Life Red coolant.

-Mike

[Itech]

Originally Posted by NESW20

yeah, definitely for a timing belt job, get Toyota parts. a new Toyota water pump is going to be a little pricey (maybe around $125, IIRC), but good quality. i would recommend only using Toyota Long Life Red coolant.

-Mike

Here's the best they got:

Timing Belt change Parts+Labor 169.95
Water pump change Parts+Labor 419.95
3 Seals change Parts+Labor 110.95

If I go in on a TUESDAY or THURSDAY I get 10% off the whole thing.

What do you guys think???

[Gairloch]

That price on the water pump seems high but the other two are low enough to more than make up for it.