Bought a really nice Mitsubishi Eclipse for next to nothing one time. The previous owner decided to invest in only a new set of tires and put off even longer the timing belt. Pulling out of a dealership, without really putting that much of a load on the engine, the belt let loose. Here is what it needed:

-Complete head job with nearly all valves. Luckily the head was useable as a core.
-One piston
-Head Gaskets
-Of course a new timing belt, tensioner and other pulley in there
-Went ahead and did a bunch of other maintenance stuff while I was there.

I think it was worth $5K at the time, and I bought it for $1K. Something like that.

On the road for around $2K, doing everything myself, except the rebuilding of the head.

So, do the math, spend a few bucks now, or 10 times that later.

I recently did my own belt for about $125 in parts with doing the pump, but I did get a really good deal on Honda Parts...

 

Should add that at 110K miles in my 3.2, the ribs (cogs) on the belt looked exceptionally good, better than expected. This inspection after removing and flexing the belt backwards on itself.

Would I have not done the job, knowing that going into it?

Heck no.

Even a good visual does not necessarily gaurantee future performance.

 

Im having my timing belt/tensioner and all belts done for $350.00 for both parts and labor.

 

i'd love to know where i could get that done for anywhere near that price

 

Japan