Timing belt replacement

My local (non-dealership) mechanic shop wants $1800 for timing belt/water pump kit + labor on my 1998 4runner. Sounds about $500-600 too high to me from what I've seen....thoughts? Thanks

 

Yep.

 

Wait I think it was $1,400. at the Dealership, but that was 10 years ago?

 

Dealership will use OEM parts.

 

Do it yourself with all OEM parts and save 1500 and the hassle of doing it again when your non-dealer mechanic's aftermarket parts fail a year or two down the road.

 

Might as well do the other belts too?

 

Trade it going on 17yrs old, nothing but a $$$ pit from now on. You asked for thoughts, that's mine.

 

Im a technician. But I did it myself with the kit was less then $300 only took a couple hours. Super easy job for what it is.

 

Actually nobody asked for the opinion of a math-challenged 2023 owner in the 3rd gen forum. For future reference, 3rd gen ended 21 years before 2023, and its been 26 years since 1998, not 17.

 

That's usually part of the timing belt job, along with cam and crank seals, tensioner and water pump.

 

That sounds high to me also. At that rate, I might get a quote from a dealership. At least they will use OEM parts.

Otherwise, as others have mentioned, they're not too difficult to do if you're a reasonably mechanical person. Some kits will even include all gaskets, tensioners, and parts needed.

 

It's possible the shop figured the 26 year old vehicle will have rust and brittle plastic everywhere, so they padded the estimate to account for it. You know that saying about a 5 minute job being one broken bolt away from a 3-day job...

Have you shopped around and checked the dealer? $1400 job 10 years ago is probably $2400 now with inflation, but it's worthwhile to have some perspective.

 

I know its not apples to apples but my timing belt service on my '04 v8 was $1,387 plus the Aisin kit which was $190 (timing belt, waterpump, misc odds and ends), but they also did other stuff while they were in there, basically replaced everything front of the engine (radiator, hoses, fan clutch, thermostat, belt tensioner) and they also replaced my LCAs, and one CV axle. I supplied all the parts (OEM Toyota, except the Aisin timing kit which i heard is what Toyota uses anyways). So i would assume that just a timing belt service wouldn't be that entire $1,387 in labor costs. I think your quote is high.

 

I think you're about right on your thinking. OEM parts including coolant and new hoses is about $500-ish. Less if you're lucky and more if you're not. Quick Google says book is 4.5 hours. Even at $130/hr that's $585. Round it all up to 1200-ish and yeah, I think it's about 500-600 high. And you didn't mention if the quote was OEM parts?

 

I'm definitely mechanically inclined with good & proper tools & have replaced some of the easier stuff myself in the last 2 years on this '98 4runner (starter, alternator, 3-exterior belts) Only thing I paid for lately was the in-tank fuel pump that I didn't want to mess with having no hoist or help. (Done by my regular mechanic for very reasonable cost who is an ex 14yr TOYOTA dealership mechanic is great but I live in a
tourist town & he's always a month booked out in Summer) Also I don't have the time right now or a garage to work on a bigger fix like this timing belt/h20 pump that i know would take me probably 8-10 hrs doing it my first time.....sooo I'll be paying for "convenience" to get this done right. Best part is that after this fix, this 3.4litre engine will be like new for the most part! Lol. (Only 161,000 miles & I feel like it's definitely worth spending the $$ on this awesome vehicle!)

 

^Oh there will be more, like new radiator, fan clutch, steering rack... Not a strike against the 3rd gen platform, just aging parts.

 

Definitely wouldn't do the in tank fuel pump. 40yrs as a professional turbine RW/FW mechanic & I would pay for that repair if I ever needed it. Sucks they're charging that much too!

 

Actually didn't specify for ANY opinions. Yeah the math was wrong which I'm actually very good at minus a couple of

 

Speaking of aging parts:
OP please consider also replacing the fan clutch bracket while you are there. Part# 16307-62011.
Our group seemed to have a rash of these go back in the 2010s. Toyota seems to be in love with that part though $500-600... But you can get an Aisin branded for about 120 bucks. On the other hand, if it ain't broke...

 

In tank pump replacement is relatively smooth on a new vehicle (like the fuel pump recall in '17-'19 Tacomas). On a 26 year-old vehicle where the lock collar disintegrates if you look at it wrong, fahgettaboudit.

 

Yeah too old for that Kinda Mx now a days, easier to write a check now. I could do it ,But Nah. Again why I buy new when vehicles get close to 80k miles. Have done this since my Mid 20's & have no regrets! Only Vehicle I owned W/115K miles was 1993 Mustang 5.0GT off show room floor! Was A Great car AVG 25 Mpg from home to KTTN ever day for 4 yrs. Sucked in the Rain Bought a 1977 Chevy Scottsdale 4x4 cause Mustang couldn't get out of its way in the rain, let alone even try snow!!!Traded for 1998 Explorer Sport. Dealer looked @ Mustang & asked IF 115k was correct? The only tell tale sign was frt spoiler nicked up & W/Harrisburg PA records.!

 

Pound Sand

 

Plus you cant count past 15 so I really doubt you could do the job.

 

You clown I've done more heavy Mx on much more complicated products then the Toyota 4Runners in 1 yr then you probably did your entire life time. FSI Master Technician Certified Gulfstream GIV/GV series , Sikorsky S76 series, multiple other A/C's & Eng. MFG's too.

 

Lol. You are certainly full of yourself. I wonder why you stoop to gracing this lowly 3rd gen forum full of rustbucket fixer uppers when you are clearly several social notches and income brackets above.

 

You were a helluva lot nicer than I was going to be. Keyboard warriors!

Strike 1 for him making the ignore list. Just sayin'

 

Ya know I knew better then to respond to your asinine comments. No not full of my self , just stating facts when You called out My abilities. Which you have No clue of. I NEVER Claimed to have a socially or income superior bracket in ANY of my post either. You must have an inferior complex ?? Why YOU chose to post what you did.I previously posted pound sand to what ever the h3ll you are!!

 

I was quoted $2k from my local Toyota dealer to do the timing belt plus all the extras (water pump, ect). This is for the 4.7L V8 however.