jbl-1985

Thought I was doing a smart thing by going to a local Toyota dealership but apparently not. Nearly $1000 for a T-Belt replacement, which included everything, idler pulleys, water pump.

What are you guys seeing these days?

Fritz330

That sounds about right.

speedkar9

$1000 sounds right at a Lexus dealer, including a free loaner car, hot chocolate, and all the perks etc. Closer to $800 at a Toyota dealer.

Personally, I'd buy the OEM components from RockAuto or eBay ($200) and either DIY or have a mechanic install it for $350.

Chuckinnj

Try a "Local Shop" around your home and save some money over the Toylex Stealership.......This is a easy to do job if you have some mechanical knowledge and tools.

Oro

You can do it yourself for $200 (if you are a are a reasonably skilled mechanic; I have done two in the last six months for that ('98 acura and an '02 ES300)). If you are not able to do it yourself, figure 5 hours at $50 for a skilled mechanic not paying dealer real estate rates. So $250 over the $200 in parts and fluids, thus $450 to $500 from an independent mechanic.

That price includes water pump, fluids, etc.

PuReChaos

what skilled mechanic works for 50$ an hour? Independents around california don't work for less than $85/hr most are closer to $100.

Since the OP already got it done, Lexus charges 1300-1500 (around the bay area) and toyota charges roughly 900-1100 depending on the car.

jbl-1985

Since the OP already got it done, Lexus charges 1300-1500 (around the bay area) and Toyota charges roughly 900-1100 depending on the car.

Actually I didn't end up getting it done. I was concerned about an idler pulley that was a little noisy and the 3rd party told me that it wasn't that big a deal, and since the timing belt had been replaced at 36k (due to time), it didn't warrant going in there right now to replace a pulley, which you wouldn't do if you get in there anyway, you would replace everything. Sitting tight for another 50k miles or if the pulley really starts to sound off, sooner.

Oro

Make sure that it is the idler and NOT the tensioner.

My Acura lost the T-belt last Christmas Day (damn inconvenient). The belt had been done 30k earlier by Acura of Portland (WA). The belt failed because they re-used the original tensioner. Failure was at 150k miles. I discovered this when I went in to re-do it. The H2O pump was new, the tensioner original - they have date stamps in them so easy to tell. Fortunately it was a non-interference engine so I was out the hassle and $200 but not a whole engine or head.

The tensioner makes a knocking sound before failure typically. It can be misdiagnosed as other things easily.

You can get a mechanic to moonlight easily for $50 an hour if you need, check craigslist, etc. if budget is tight.