Nissan XTerra Forum banner

Timing Belt $ Quotes - If you didnt do yourself

7K views 28 replies 13 participants last post by  ShiftingSkys 
#1 ·
So I got all the parts needed, and have been a bit wary of trying this repair myself. Anyway, gotten a few quotes and they're just ridiculous.

3 different places have quoted me $1200 to $1400, LABOR only.

I laugh and say its a 4 hour job, to which 3 places in a row have now said "For a non-SC 2wd, yes its 4 hours. For a Supercharged 4x4, its listed as a 13 hour job."


So uh, my question is, WTF?! Is this true?? Does anyone know where they might be looking to get this info, and can anyone who's done a belt on an SC'ed 4x4 tell me how long it actually took? I thought I was looking at like $250, which I'd be OK paying. The numbers I'm getting are just stupid though...
 
#2 ·
I've done timing belt on 3 NA engines and one SC engine and with two guys it took an average of 8 to 10 hours each to finish them. All of these were no corrosion no problem taking them apart engines. The SC engine, Drake's, took the longest mostly due to a broken water pump bolt we had to run out and get a replacement for.

SC vs NA engine there will be a slight difference in time but 2wd vs 4wd will not effect the time. Parts for the job are are just over $300.
No way I could do one in 4 hours and I would be shocked if even Cyclemut or Soccerbrace could pull it off in 4 hours with there vast Nissan service experience.
 
#3 ·
Thanks Racer.

I swear I've seen other's on here posting that it was a $7-800 job, or about $1100 at a dealer, which was including parts. Since I already have the parts I was expecting ~$400 more for labor (most places around here are about $60/hr).

Damn! Maybe I'll hafta grow a pair and dive in there myself.
 
#5 ·
No way I could do one in 4 hours and I would be shocked if even Cyclemut or Soccerbrace could pull it off in 4 hours with there vast Nissan service experience.
i've gotten it done in 5 hours and i've done 4 so far.
 
#7 ·
4 hours is my normal. I've done one in 2.5 hours before, but they were replacing their radiator at the same time so I didn't take the time to clear out the fins on the old unit, just swap everything over.

I charge $300 for the job. But I do it at my house with air tools. I take the front tires off to get the front end down so it's a ton easier (no stepping on stools to get over the support).

Even the book time calls for around 6 hours with all the goodies (water pump, all 3 seals, t-stat, etc.). So if they're charging around $125 per, then you're looking at a clean $750 for labor. I don't know what they're charging for the hours to get to $1200, but that's pretty f'in high!

Hell, it might be worth it to drive out to Denver and have me do it. Order a kit from Courtesy and have it shipped to me. I think you'd still save money. You can stay at my place, we have plenty of room. You can time me. ;)
 
#8 ·
4 hours is my normal. I've done one in 2.5 hours before, but they were replacing their radiator at the same time so I didn't take the time to clear out the fins on the old unit, just swap everything over.

I charge $300 for the job. But I do it at my house with air tools. I take the front tires off to get the front end down so it's a ton easier (no stepping on stools to get over the support).
Great idea...never thought of that. :biggrin:


Hell, it might be worth it to drive out to Denver and have me do it. Order a kit from Courtesy and have it shipped to me. I think you'd still save money. You can stay at my place, we have plenty of room. You can time me. ;)
:anbeten-big: Nope you know all the tricks. :biggrin:
 
#10 · (Edited)
Glad to hear I wasn't too far off. So lets say 6 hours, at $60 around here should NOT be anywhere near the price's I'm hearing.... grrrr.

Cycle - Lol, you've got me considering crazy ideas now, damnit! We're doing a 2500 mile road trip from NC upto ME and back in early August - there was something going on in CO the next week (forget what it was now....) and I was already wondering if I could make it from ME to CO in time, lol. Just can't really do it due to work schedule but it would be awesome to hit the whole country and get a timing belt done on the way. D'oh well. Thanks for the offer though!



Another question for you guys that have done this - I also want to replace the motor mounts and exhaust manifolds in the fairly near future. Is it worthwhile / easier and faster to do this at the same time, or is there really no synergy/benefit to grouping these repairs/maintenance?


Also - if anyone is within 2-3 hours of Charlotte and knows how to do this, I'm pretty handy just think this is a little out of my reach. I'd help out and give you $2-300 + beer/food for the day no questions asked. Give me a shout if your interested/willing.
 
#11 ·
There's no benefit to doing the other things at the same time. Concentrate on the timing belt, making sure it's all in order and timed right, running right, then worry about the other stuff.

And if you change your mind, let me know. My house sits at around 8000 feet overlooking Denver's city lights at night. Some BBQ, a couple John Daly's and fresh mountain air does wonders for the soul.
 
#15 ·
Just chiming in with my story...

When i bought my 2000 se 4x4 it had 95,000 miles...bought nov 2010...it didnt have a tow hitch...

So a couple months later i found one on craigslist...the guy told me to meet him at the nissan dealership and whaddayah know, he was one of the mechanics working there...

So of course i ask if he does side work and he says "hells yes".

He came to my house and it took him just over 3 hours to do the timing belt and everything associated with it...belts, pump, tensioner, etc etc etc...i watched him do it...and yes he had air tools.

He said the kit only cost him 200$ and i paid him 500$ total...he charges 100$ per hour.
 
#16 ·
3 hours is... wow.

I ended up bringing mine in to a dealer for 2 recalls (fuel sending unit and steering shaft joint) and warranty work (both exhaust manifolds and oil pan).

So the deductible was $100 for the warranty work (third party of course on an 03). With all the other work, the dealer quoted me $350 for the timing belt since I already had the kit. I ran with it - so essentially it cost me $550 parts and labor, I'm happy with that.

In total I ended up spending ~$680 for the belt/waterpump, both manifolds, steering joint, oil pan replacement, and fuel sending unit = I can't ask for much more.

First dealer experience I've actually felt satisfied with...
 
#17 ·
3 hours is... wow.

I ended up bringing mine in to a dealer for 2 recalls (fuel sending unit and steering shaft joint) and warranty work (both exhaust manifolds and oil pan).

So the deductible was $100 for the warranty work (third party of course on an 03). With all the other work, the dealer quoted me $350 for the timing belt since I already had the kit. I ran with it - so essentially it cost me $550 parts and labor, I'm happy with that.

In total I ended up spending ~$680 for the belt/waterpump, both manifolds, steering joint, oil pan replacement, and fuel sending unit = I can't ask for much more.

First dealer experience I've actually felt satisfied with...
Late to the conversation but... If you don't mind... which dealership? I am in Indian Trail and willing to bet Baby's '03 w/118k needs this like pronto.
 
#18 · (Edited)
East Charlotte Nissan, off of Independence/74.

If its been done there's probably a sticker on the front frame rail. Hopefully if its at 118k and new to you, it was done!

***also - the LABOR charge is usually $500 there, I just got a discount due to the other work. It is nice that they let me bring my own parts too, had an OEM kit from the web for $240.

But I wouldn't expect to walk in for just the TB and have it be near what I paid.
 
#24 ·
Where did you order your parts?

3 hours is... wow.

I ended up bringing mine in to a dealer for 2 recalls (fuel sending unit and steering shaft joint) and warranty work (both exhaust manifolds and oil pan).

So the deductible was $100 for the warranty work (third party of course on an 03). With all the other work, the dealer quoted me $350 for the timing belt since I already had the kit. I ran with it - so essentially it cost me $550 parts and labor, I'm happy with that.

In total I ended up spending ~$680 for the belt/waterpump, both manifolds, steering joint, oil pan replacement, and fuel sending unit = I can't ask for much more.

First dealer experience I've actually felt satisfied with...
 
#25 ·
Update:

I have done a few more TB and have gotten down to 2.5 hours just for the belt only. NO water pump, seals, or anything else. I charge 200 and you bring your own parts.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top