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Timing Belt & Water Pump replacement sticker shock

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by supra92, Jun 10, 2014.

  1. Jun 10, 2014 at 2:33 PM
    #1
    supra92

    supra92 [OP] Member

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    So I've had my 1999 Tacoma 4x4/SR5/TRD for about a month now, and seeing as it's at 112k miles and with the original timing belt & water pump, figured it made good sense to get this taken care of now for more of a stress-free, worry-free driving existence.

    Went to a shop in south Austin that is fairly well-regarded around town, and hit them up for an estimate for the tbelt, wpump, and the usual assortment of pulleys/tensioners that should be replaced while the engine is cracked open, in the interests of saving on labour costs. Based on my perusing/searches through this forum, it seems a reasonable expectation for this job is in the $600-900 range.

    Thus... sticker shock when I received the PDF estimate just now (attached). $1,400 really seems high -- although to be fair, I was pleased with the shop's quite-thorough breakdown of the individual parts and labour services. Seeing it all individually in pieces, it doesn't seem to be that outrageous -- but the total seems rather inflated. I was expecting the tbelt/wpump kit itself to be in the $250-300 range, whereas this shop quoted just shy of $600 for that. The $400 of labour implies roughly 5 hours to do the belt/pump, at a typical $80/hr labour rate (is that typical for Taco work?). But they also tacked on another 2 hours of labour for the other various belts and etc.

    Is this simply a case of the "$600-900 to replace tbelt/wpump" estimate being *just* for those two items, and that $1400 is actually realistic given all the other belts/tensioners I'm wanting replaced at the same time? Or is this shop's estimate just way out of line with what people here have seen in their experiences?

    Definitely appreciate any suggestions on this -- I had $900 budgeted for the work, and this is a 50% increase over initial expectations. :confused:

    Supra92

    tbeltwpump.jpg
     
  2. Jun 10, 2014 at 2:38 PM
    #2
    KdF

    KdF Old Rednek Type

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    East-ByGod-TEXAS!
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    Take it to Auto Nation Toyota on the Motor Mile. I had mine done with the Water Pump AND all the inside seals and the total came to $1173.55 Me thinks yer getting ripped by the Shop. And yeah, Im in Austin.
     
  3. Jun 10, 2014 at 4:12 PM
    #3
    paquu

    paquu Well-Known Member

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    Could buy the parts bundle on ebay that comes with everything youd need for the job. Then request a labor quote.
     
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  4. Jun 10, 2014 at 4:22 PM
    #4
    XR1200

    XR1200 Active Member

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    Nice markup on their timing belt kit. They charge $589 when you can go to RockAuto and get that same kit for $145 and the MSRP for it is $382.

    Another option you can try is seeing how much a place will charge you if you supply the parts. They will then usually warranty their work and not the parts but you can save loads of money if nothing goes wrong.
     
  5. Jun 10, 2014 at 4:45 PM
    #5
    paquu

    paquu Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Jun 10, 2014
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    #5
  6. Jun 10, 2014 at 4:59 PM
    #6
    Box Rocket

    Box Rocket Well-Known Member

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    That price isn't out of the "reasonable" range for that job. It's on the high end and can definitely be done cheaper, but it's not too far off if you're paying to have it done.
     
  7. Jun 10, 2014 at 6:35 PM
    #7
    frizzman

    frizzman Well-Known Member

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    OME 2.5,Tundra 17s,Falken Wildpeak AT3W hitch w/ 7-pin, ARE cap, JVC HU w/BT, HID/LED lights
    Or if you feel confident do it yourself :)

    seems I saved $1000 that way :woot::dancingbacon::broccoli:
     
    cruxofthebisquit likes this.
  8. Jun 10, 2014 at 6:49 PM
    #8
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

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    I agree here. While the RockAuto kit is not a Toyota kit, it is Aisin, and has the exact same part number as your estimate shows. The other parts prices are pretty acceptable.

    THIS is the best kit for the best price. I would consider buying that kit and asking for labor cost only, or consider tackling the job yourself. To be honest it really is not that difficult, and can usually be done from popping hood to closing hood in about 4 hours.
     
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  9. Jun 11, 2014 at 9:05 AM
    #9
    Bino9905

    Bino9905 Well-Known Member

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    my mechanic in angleton tx was doing one the other day on a 97 when I was there for something else....i asked him how much for timing belt change and he said $250....i assume that was just labor cost....
     
  10. Jun 11, 2014 at 10:38 AM
    #10
    asus611

    asus611 Well-Known Member

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    A while back my mom's 4runner needed the 180k service, which is the same as the 90k. I used the above ebay kit, plus got fluids, filters, plugs, radiator hoses, etc. Total for parts and fluids was a little over $500 or $550 if I recall. And that was with consciously searching for the "cheapest" OEM parts. I also got new rotors, pads, drums, etc which is not included in the $550 costs.

    I used my non-english speaking, hole-in-the-wall, no waiting area having local toyota/lexus tech, who did the labor only for $500 cash. This also included throwing on new front/rear pads/rotors/drums. Great mechanic that loves to do just labor.

    So even with the discounted timing kit, the parts alone are still hefty. I priced out the same service from local dealers and the price quotes ranged from $1400 to over $2700. Of course they are using toyo book rate plus msrp for parts, etc. The fancy waiting room, free wifi, couches, free coffee and donuts aren't actually free.

    A lot of times mechanics will be unwilling to install parts your sourced from somewhere else. They are still on the hook for the 12 months or whatever parts/labor guaranty, so in my experience they are concerned with knowing where the parts came from they would be installing. Yes, they are making some margin on parts but I think the future liability thing comes into play as well.

    Overall its a pretty "serious" job. You don't do it that often, and you're basically replacing everything that can wear out on the truck. Either way you go, its a big cash layout. Good luck!
     
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  11. Jun 11, 2014 at 10:56 AM
    #11
    bowyer2002

    bowyer2002 always tinkering

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    for $1400, buy $1000 tools & do it yourself :D
    it isn't hard, just time consuming & there are a lot of good directions out there with pictures too.
    good luck.
    However, this is from a guy who's done 4 timing belts on the V6 engine.
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2014
  12. Jun 11, 2014 at 11:04 AM
    #12
    Boerseun

    Boerseun Well-Known Member

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    I got a quote from the dealer for $660 for time belt, water pump and the other drive belts. I am at 99,000 miles and planning on having it replaced soon. I am planning on also having the tensioners/idler pullies and radiator hoses replaced while they are in there, which will push the price up a little, but not over $1,000.
     
  13. Jun 11, 2014 at 12:13 PM
    #13
    supra92

    supra92 [OP] Member

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    Less than 24 hours later and 13 replies to my OP -- this reminds me of the old SOGI (Supra Owners Group Int'l) list back in its heyday in the late 90s/early 00s with the sheer volume and helpfulness of replies. Really something!

    I am going to roll with Paquu's & BamaToy's suggestion of that OEM kit on ebay here: http://m.ebay.com/itm/180729034728?nav=SEARCH That seems to have every single part needed, except for the coolant. I'm assuming that the A/C, alternator, and PS belts listed on the eBay kit are direct matches to the three "rib belts" listed on the shop's estimate sheet (the PN's beginning with "4PK").

    Doing this... $310 for the kit, shipped... $55 in coolant/shopsupplies... and $559 labour... the whole shabang comes out to $924. That's a lot more in line with what I was envisioning from the outset. :thumbsup:

    For good measure, I've sent that same delineated list of parts to both my old Supra mechanic in Round Rock, as well as the Toyota dealer about 2 miles away from me -- just to see what they're quoting for comparison. Maybe I luck out and they quote something really nice like Boerseun's dealer ($660). It really does seem from everyone's input that the parts markup is pretty much the full explanation for the somewhat inflated $1429 estimate from Newman's.

    Big thanks for the helpful (and seriously timely) replies/advice. Looking at saving about $500 here from it, which will go nicely towards a replacement windshield, toolbox, etc.

    Supra92
     
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  14. Jun 11, 2014 at 4:32 PM
    #14
    supra92

    supra92 [OP] Member

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    Update -- the eBay seller at the link above is "on vacation" and thus not accepting orders, so found a replacement at the same price:

    http://bit.ly/1leSixp

    Ordered that, $310, and it should arrive Friday or Monday. Drove by my old Supra mechanic in Round Rock (Japanese Motor Sports), and they said $510 labour to install everything in that kit.

    $820 all told w/ no taxes, less a few bucks for the coolant refill, etc., and JMS will be doing the work next Wednesday. Will definitely be good to have this in the rearview mirror, some peace of mind going forward.

    Then it becomes a matter of whether that mystic purple mica paint gets to stick around for the long haul :rolleyes: It's not *bad* as far as purple paint goes, but there's no getting around the fact that it's........ purple.

    Thanks again guys, much appreciated help and a terrific initial foray into TW.

    Supra92
     
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  15. Jun 11, 2014 at 5:37 PM
    #15
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

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    Mind if I ask where you figure they are on the hook for 12 month warranty? Every shop I have ever worked at, when you supply the parts, will tell you that the warranty they offer is for workmanship only (meaning if the failure was due to a fault of the installer, not parts failure) and that if the PART fails, they are not liable. There is no reason a shop of ANY kind would willingly cover parts AND labor charges if a part was brought in by by the customer.
     
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  16. Jun 11, 2014 at 5:52 PM
    #16
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    Here's my friend's independent shop's in Boulder quote. Done about 3 years ago.

    This also includes an oil change. All parts were OEM

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Jun 11, 2014 at 10:42 PM
    #17
    Grousehunter 12

    Grousehunter 12 Well-Known Member

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    Just had it done , e-bay kit listed , also Toyota upper & lower radiator hoses and a new Toyota radiator cap , Prestone extended life 50-50 premix . Total cost of parts was less than $425 , labor was $350 . Total was < $775 .
     
  18. Jun 12, 2014 at 7:14 AM
    #18
    cruiserkev

    cruiserkev Well-Known Member

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    My local shop replaced my timing belt and water pump for $725.00. Made sure he used OEM Toyota parts and even used Toyota red coolant as well.

    Hey Supra, Keep the Mystic Purple. It's my belief these trucks will be worth a bit more years down the road as they are a rare color. Kind of like the extremely rare Pumpkin Orange FJ40's are today. Good luck! :cool:

    1027131608.jpg
     
  19. Jun 13, 2014 at 4:12 PM
    #19
    Bren

    Bren Well-Known Member

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    My mechanic quoted me $300 for labor on the belt and pump. I found a oem kit for $350. Total $650. If I wanted all the extras done he said it would be maybe another 200.
     
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  20. Jun 27, 2014 at 11:56 AM
    #20
    Gunslinger13

    Gunslinger13 Member

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    Just did mine 2 days ago. Its not that hard. Ebay kit was the best deal , had everything and good parts too!!
     
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