Hey guys,

So I just got my car back, and I've got two questions:

I just got the timing belt and water pump done, but that was the ONLY thing done besides the cam and crank seal. Going off another thread, I think these were not done:

Drivebelt
TB Adjuster
TB Auto Tensioner
TB Idler Pulley
170F Thermostat
NGK Laser Iridium plus #6994

1) Did I get ripped off for $600 bucks just to get the TB and WP done?
2) How hard is it to do the TB Adjuster and TB Auto tensioner? Do I even really need to do it at 105k? The mechanic said they looked OK, but as we all know, what they say may not really be true...

I found guides for the thermostat, spark plugs and drive belt, so those I should be able to take care of myself. TIA!

 

you should get the tensioner since if it goes bad before 210k miles you will likely to pay another labor cost similar to TB/WP replacement.

 

Well, it's a little too late since the TB has been done by the mechanic...can I do it myself? Or should I do it around the 150k mark when I think I need to do another TB/WP anyway?

 

those should have been done with the TB service, it's very simple to get them done at the same time as the TB. to get those done now would be similar to another TB service as far as i know.

that price is fine for that labor and those parts, but i don't know why they didn't change those other parts, they should have. just would have cost more in parts.

i am about to get everything done that you listed for about $400 (very good price) but this is with me supplying my own parts (about $300 in parts bought by myself)

 

It's the exact same job to replace the timing belt tensioner and pulley. If anything a few more steps than the timing belt itself because that has to be removed to take these off. That was very amateur of the mechanic. The belt itself is usually still good but a failing TB tensioner can cause the belt to skip teeth and lose timing in a worst case scenario.

 

$600 includes parts? If so, that's a good price. You didn't get ripped off, most shops only change out the timing belt and water pump (including the dealership), and you need to request to change out everything else. Those are the two most likely components to fail. If he said the idler pulley, auto tensioner, and adjuster looked good, then it very well could be. But there's always risk of failure. Hit/Miss on those lasting for +200k miles. I say let it be and if anything.. change a little ahead of ~210k miles, if you still own the car.

Plugs/Thermostat/Drivebelt are easy enough. You can do it yourself with the right tools, patience, and attention to detail. Be aware that doing the thermostat will involve coolant dumping out of the water hose. Just have some shop towels / bucket to collect the drippings and spray the area down with brake clean after. All the info regarding the 105k service is detailed below:

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...ics%2A-784622/

 

I don't get why the mechanic did not replace the tensioner along with other part. But any of it goes wrong you looking at another tb/wp job. I always replace all the component while you have everything out, btw my original tb tensioner goes bad at 59k miles.

 

No sir, he just got the TB & WP done for $600.

Jimmy- the next TB interval would be around 210k miles not 150k.

 

So only labor? By parts, I mean water pump plus timing belt components.

 

According to his OP, he got WP & TB for 600 parts and labor. No other components

 

That's pretty good

 

Hey guys, sorry for the confusion.

It was $600 for labor + parts, but the only parts were the actual water pump and just the timing belt, which apparently he bought from the dealer. Had I known, I would have just bought the damn kit myself online for $174 with all the components.

I also thought that the first TB change was 105k miles, then every 60k thereafter?

 

Interval is every 105k / MID pop-up. Only need to change it ahead of those if the car operates in extreme conditions for prolonged times.