Timing Belt

[Diff Operator]

My 2 is at 120,000, and it's time to change the timing belt. What is the parts only cost versus the cost for parts and labor at the toyota dealership? i am fairly mechanically experienced, but is it more trouble than it's worth to just do it myself?

[JekylandHyde]

You are probably looking a couple of hundred bucks to have a timing belt done on the MR2. It is not an easy car to tackle the t-belt on. What year is your car?

[MR2Jedi]

I had it done several years ago and it was about $280.00 parts and labor. prolly more now.. i think the belt at that time was $75.00

[Diff Operator]

i have a 93 turbo, was that price at the dealership? I used to work at a Chevy dealership and guessed it would be more than that. Are there any other things I should have them do while they have the timing cover off?

[MR2Jedi]

yeah, that was aToyota dealer. i cant think of anything else to do while the front cover is off. maybe change front crank seal... but if it isn't leaking, i wouldn't bother..

[Cyorke]

If you have it off you want to make sure you check the water pump, front crank seal, cam seal, tensioner and idler pulleys. If any of these are leaking or making excessive noise replace them so you dont have to do it 10k miles down the road and pay all the albor again. It is not extremely hard to do yourself jsut not a lot of room in there. You say you worked at a Chevy dealer. Did you do service or parts or what. If you did service you should be able to to it no problem your self. The parts are probably going to cost about half of the total cost. Probably charge 2-3 hours labor to do the belt then .5 hour for each additional item the needs to be repaced except the water pump which will probably add another 1.5 hours or so. I am guessing on these numbers it seems to be that is waht we charged when I was doing it but that has been several years ago at the Toyota dealership.

[MR2Jedi]

^ see, i knew you were smart! I should have thought of those items i would let the techs do the crank seal and the water pump(if needed). the rest I would do myself...

[Cyorke]

Nah, crank seal and water pump are not taht big a deal on most Toyota engines.If you can tear it down to do the t-belt you can surely figure out the pump and seal.

[MR2Jedi]

agreed, I just don't like working in that cramped space... I've gotten alittle lazy in my old age. I don't like crawling under the car and sweating.. pretty bad huh?..I found a place where the techs are really good and HONEST!. they diagnose it right the first time and fix it right . everything they do , they do in almost half the time other techs have quoated me. thats saves money. So lately, I have them do all the work. my business has been doing well enough for me to afford too..

[Cyorke]

I know the feeling about not wanting to do anything and all that. After working on cars for several years I am to the pint where I would much rather pay someone to do it than do it myself. that is the only reason I bought a waranty on both of my cars. I have had the timing belt replaced, one of the axles, the water pump and a coupl of other things. Now I noticed my valve covers are leaking so it is time to take it back in and le them do tha. For $50 bucks a pop for repairs you cant beat that. I dont even change the oil in my own car I let someone else do it. I dread when I get around to doing the plugs which should be anytime since I am already at 77k miles and past time to do it.