Timing Belt $ Quotes - If you didnt do yourself

[ImageOmega]

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...

[RacerXXL]

Originally Posted by ImageOmega

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...

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.

[ImageOmega]

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.

[crisone]

Over here in the Bay Area, parts and labor set me back only $600 out the door.

Cris.

[Xterra Mike]

Originally Posted by RacerXXL

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.

[RacerXXL]

Originally Posted by Xterra Mike

i've gotten it done in 5 hours and i've done 4 so far.

LIES!

I think my problem is that I have a big mouth and there's to much talking and not enough wrenching. Well there you have it 4-5 hours is possible.

[Cyclemut]

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.

[RacerXXL]

Originally Posted by Cyclemut

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.

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.

Nope you know all the tricks.

[Cyclemut]

20 years of doing timing belts does a lot Kelly, if you did it for that long, you'd be the same place, I'm positive of it.

Now if I can master walking on water, fishing would be a lot easier!

[ImageOmega]

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.