Timing Belt at Dealer should I ask them to change Water Pump too?
#1
Timing Belt at Dealer should I ask them to change Water Pump too?
I have read all of the threads on T-Belt change interval. Time, miles, etc. I have decided to breakdown and spend the money to have the dealer replace the belt. They quoted $899. for the belt and tensioners, etc. My car is a 05 with 43,000 miles.
My question is should I spend the money to have them change out the waterpump at the same time they are changing the timing belt?
I am not sure what they will charge for the part and added work.
Any and all input, feedback would be welcome as my appointment is on Friday.
Thanks in advance!
Andrew
My question is should I spend the money to have them change out the waterpump at the same time they are changing the timing belt?
I am not sure what they will charge for the part and added work.
Any and all input, feedback would be welcome as my appointment is on Friday.
Thanks in advance!
Andrew
#2
Advanced
Absolutely! The water pump is only a $100 part and a common cause of timing belt failure. They shouldn't charge all that much more in labor being as they are already there and have the coolant drained. Might as well replace the thermostat, too.
The best part is no worries for the next 9 years...
The best part is no worries for the next 9 years...
#6
Why is it assumed a dealer would save you on labor cost if it was done at the same time?
It would be interesting to get a quote for just the water pump and call to get a separate quote just for the timing belt on a different day. Add the quotes together.
I would bet that the they would pocket the labor savings of having the timing belt already removed and charge you labor for both items if you got a quote for doing it at the same time.
It would be interesting to get a quote for just the water pump and call to get a separate quote just for the timing belt on a different day. Add the quotes together.
I would bet that the they would pocket the labor savings of having the timing belt already removed and charge you labor for both items if you got a quote for doing it at the same time.
#7
Moderator
The dealer should ask you about changing the water pump at the same time. My understanding is that is commonly done, as the incremental cost is small, especially compared to the cost of replacing a water pump which will surely fail in the future at some inconvenient time. A good mechanic will always make that suggestion.
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#8
Lead Lap
It was an incremental cost when I had it done.
#9
I just got a quote from the dealer
Timing Belt
Water Pump
Thermostat
$1000. out the door
Is this a good price? I asked about tensioners and was told we do not replace them we just check them. My car has 42,000 miles Does this sound Kosher?
Water Pump
Thermostat
$1000. out the door
Is this a good price? I asked about tensioners and was told we do not replace them we just check them. My car has 42,000 miles Does this sound Kosher?
#12
First, I would avoid that dealer because he was willing to change the belt and tensioner without doing the water pump.
I have never heard of a timing belt breaking on its own, regardless of miles. It is always either the tensioner that breaks or the water pump that seizes and takes out the belt. That is why the belt, tensioner, water pump are so commonly sold in a kit.
Get quotes from local Toyota dealers first who are more than capable of doing the job right. Then look for Lexus indies who can also do a fine job.
That dealer is a real bone-head.
I have never heard of a timing belt breaking on its own, regardless of miles. It is always either the tensioner that breaks or the water pump that seizes and takes out the belt. That is why the belt, tensioner, water pump are so commonly sold in a kit.
Get quotes from local Toyota dealers first who are more than capable of doing the job right. Then look for Lexus indies who can also do a fine job.
That dealer is a real bone-head.
#13
Racer
iTrader: (1)
First, I would avoid that dealer because he was willing to change the belt and tensioner without doing the water pump.
I have never heard of a timing belt breaking on its own, regardless of miles. It is always either the tensioner that breaks or the water pump that seizes and takes out the belt. That is why the belt, tensioner, water pump are so commonly sold in a kit.
Get quotes from local Toyota dealers first who are more than capable of doing the job right. Then look for Lexus indies who can also do a fine job.
That dealer is a real bone-head.
I have never heard of a timing belt breaking on its own, regardless of miles. It is always either the tensioner that breaks or the water pump that seizes and takes out the belt. That is why the belt, tensioner, water pump are so commonly sold in a kit.
Get quotes from local Toyota dealers first who are more than capable of doing the job right. Then look for Lexus indies who can also do a fine job.
That dealer is a real bone-head.
#14
And after a timing belt change the prescribed next time the belt is due to be changed is in another 100K miles. Would anyone in their right mind expect the water pump to last 200K miles? And when the water pump seizes it is guaranteed that the belt will break or be thrown.
If the water pump starts squealing at 150K miles (bearings beginning to fail) of course the dealer will recommend replacing it. The cost will be more than changing the timing belt because the exact amount of labor to get in the engine will be expended and the belt costs less than the water pump.
And what is the risk vs reward? The reward is keeping $110 in your pocket (the cost of the water pump) but the risk is spending $3K to $4K on a valve job because your valves will have an intimate relationship with the piston heads. 40 to 1 odds. If you were starting with a new water pump it might be a fair bet, but starting with a water pump with 100K miles on it already? Pure stupid.
The dealer doesn't mind the risk. Talk is cheap. Ask them to provide a guarantee that if the water pump seizes before the second belt change that cost of the valve job is on them and watch how fast they change the water pump.
Last edited by SC43052; 06-20-13 at 08:24 PM.
#15
But the job, for a half decent DIY mechanic is about 5 hours. I can do the belt on my SC400 in 2 hours. That includes, belt, tensioner, idler, water pump, crank and cam sealers.