Timing belt for 1998 vehicle

[tloonya]

My 1998 Nissan Pathfinder is in need of new timing belt.
It has 105K/miles  on it and in a petty good shape plus we just can't part with this car.
It is love.
So our mechanic quoted $450 for the belt.
Firestone just quoted $900 for belt, water pump and all chachkies.

Anyone had this done? And is it worth it? Considering we just spent $740 for inspection, ressors,
amortization, oil change, alighnment...
So it is tight and good except it needs that...

[ArchietheDragon]

what has 10k on it?

[HoneyBBQ]

How could your timing belt possibly need replacing after 10k miles (interpreting your post here...)?

[Deleted]

What's a chachkie? 

[ArchietheDragon]

Oct 21, 2014 10:45:44 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

What's a chachkie? 

A couple hundred bucks. 

[Deleted]

Oct 21, 2014 10:40:20 GMT -5 tloonya said:

My 1998 Nissan Pathfinder is in need of new timing belt.
It has 10K on it and in a petty good shape plus we just can't part with this car.
It is love.
So our mechanic quoted $450 for the belt.
Firestone just quoted $900 for belt, water pump and all chachkies.

Anyone had this done? And is it worth it? Considering we just spent $740 for inspection, ressors,
amortization, oil change, alighnment...
So it is tight and good except it needs that...

you don't replace a timing belt at 10K....however, when you replace the timing belt you usually replace the water pump because whatever you take off to get to the timing belt you would have to do for the water pump and it's labor intensive.

what is ressors?

[Deleted]

So, does the 1998 have only 10K miles or the belt was replaced 10K miles ago?  Either way it doesn't seem possible that you'd need another one already. 

[tloonya]

SORRY!!!!!!!! 105K miles and it was
Chachkies is the yiddish word for trinkets and collectables, AKA "dusk collectors" that you would find in an old lady's house.

[ArchietheDragon]

have your mechanic quote the water pump and chachkeez.  

[HoneyBBQ]

Oct 21, 2014 10:45:44 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

What's a chachkie? 

tchotchkes??

[tloonya]

Oct 21, 2014 10:51:06 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

have your mechanic quote the water pump and chachkeez.  

No, just a belt.

[Deleted]

Oct 21, 2014 10:58:06 GMT -5 tloonya said:

Oct 21, 2014 10:51:06 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

have your mechanic quote the water pump and chachkeez.  

No, just a belt.

get a quote from your mechanic to ALSO do the water pump.

[ArchietheDragon]

Oct 21, 2014 10:58:06 GMT -5 tloonya said:

Oct 21, 2014 10:51:06 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

have your mechanic quote the water pump and chachkeez.  

No, just a belt.

but you should ask him to quote the other items as well.  It is a good idea to do all of the chatchkeys stuff when doing the timing belt because the mechanic is already in there. 

[Deleted]

Yes I have had that done. I think it was about $700 to change the timing belt and water pump. You change the timing belt because it gets worn over time, and on most cars, if it breaks, it ruins the engine, not to mention you're going to be stuck where ever you happen to be when it breaks. You don't usually get a warning before it breaks, from what I understand. I'd rather replace the timing belt on schedule than need an engine. I consider it worth it.

Most people advise you to get the water pump changed at the same time so you don't pay for the labor all over again when you need a new water pump. I think they have to get the water pump out of the way anyway, to replace the timing belt.

ETA: Maybe it doesn't necessarily ruin the engine, but it can damage it. I try to avoid engine problems.

[Angel!]

Timing belt should be replaced because as Pink said, if it goes the engine is ruined. Price sounds reasonable.

I am hella impressed that you have a 16 year old car with only 105K on it.

[tloonya]

hmmm...mechanic said $450 for all!

So if you need a great mechanic in Philadelphia area - shout.

[ArchietheDragon]

badabing!

[Deleted]

For $450 for all, I'd do it.   That belt might last you another 100K, but if it snaps it's going to cost you a lot more to fix and you're dead on the road.  My answer might have been different if you were driving a high mileage Chevy or something that was going to probably die soon anyhow, then I might have said take your chances and run it to the ground, but a 4 Runner with only 105K?  It's got a lot of life left.  Take care of it!  

[tloonya]

Oct 21, 2014 11:11:16 GMT -5 Angel! said:

Timing belt should be replaced because as Pink said, if it goes the engine is ruined. Price sounds reasonable.

I am hella impressed that you have a 16 year old car with only 105K on it.

The secret is that we aren't big on travel and always worked near home. Or train. And even going on vacation my husband would get a cab to and from airport so his vacation can start when mine was.

[dannylion]

Oct 21, 2014 10:52:14 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Oct 21, 2014 10:45:44 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

What's a chachkie? 

tchotchkes??

[Deleted]

So, here's my timing belt story. A friend referred me to an independant mechanic she'd used. He quoted $500 to change my timing belt. I can't remember if that included the water pump. It was less than the dealer's price and my guy and the mechanic that had been taking care of my cars at the dealer for over 10 years had quit and I didn't know where they were working, so I let him do it.

Almost a year later, I'd found out which dealer my guy had gone to and my car was there for some other stuff. The service advisor that checked my car in asked if I'd had my timing belt changed, because of the mileage. I said yes and we moved on. When the mechanic got started on my car, he asked my guy if I knew it was time for a timing belt change. He was the mechanic from the other dealer and they both know how I am about my car. My guy told him I'd already had it done. I got a phone call.

Long story short(er), it turned out to be highly unlikely that the guy I'd paid to change my timing belt actually did anything to my car. I later learned that he's known among people that work in the business for doing that kind of thing, and he's gotten fired from a few dealerships for getting over on them and their customers. So for my peace of mind, I've paid twice for the same timing belt change.

Now I'm leery about bargain pricing on car repairs unless it's somebody I know and trust.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Oct 21, 2014 11:19:43 GMT -5 tloonya said:

hmmm...mechanic said $450 for all!

So if you need a great mechanic in Philadelphia area - shout.

Seriously, find out what shape your water pump is in at the same time, Loony.  The better part of the $450 is the labor cost to get to the timing belt, and if your water pump is on its way out, then it's better to pay to have a new one installed now, then wait 6 months and need to pay another $300+ in labor.

That is why you need to get a quote for BOTH.  Chances are, if your vehicle hasn't had a water pump replaced, then for a 16 year old vehicle it is probably due.

[damnotagain]

Recommend replacing water pump as well! 

[Lizard Queen]

Oct 21, 2014 11:55:01 GMT -5 @pinkcshmere said:

So, here's my timing belt story. A friend referred me to an independant mechanic she'd used. He quoted $500 to change my timing belt. I can't remember if that included the water pump. It was less than the dealer's price and my guy and the mechanic that had been taking care of my cars at the dealer for over 10 years had quit and I didn't know where they were working, so I let him do it.

Almost a year later, I'd found out which dealer my guy had gone to and my car was there for some other stuff. The service advisor that checked my car in asked if I'd had my timing belt changed, because of the mileage. I said yes and we moved on. When the mechanic got started on my car, he asked my guy if I knew it was time for a timing belt change. He was the mechanic from the other dealer and they both know how I am about my car. My guy told him I'd already had it done. I got a phone call.

Long story short(er), it turned out to be highly unlikely that the guy I'd paid to change my timing belt actually did anything to my car. I later learned that he's known among people that work in the business for doing that kind of thing, and he's gotten fired from a few dealerships for getting over on them and their customers. So for my peace of mind, I've paid twice for the same timing belt change.

Now I'm leery about bargain pricing on car repairs unless it's somebody I know and trust.

Aww, that bites!  Good to keep in mind.  You can always ask for your old parts. That way you'd at least have some sort of proof, though I guess they could still trick you with that as well.

[weltschmerz]

Oct 21, 2014 11:11:16 GMT -5 Angel! said:

Timing belt should be replaced because as Pink said, if it goes the engine is ruined. Price sounds reasonable.

I am hella impressed that you have a 16 year old car with only 105K on it.

I have a 15 yr old car with a little over 58,000 kilometres on it.
That's a shade over 36,000 miles.

[Deleted]

Oct 21, 2014 13:50:37 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Oct 21, 2014 11:55:01 GMT -5 @pinkcshmere said:

So, here's my timing belt story. A friend referred me to an independant mechanic she'd used. He quoted $500 to change my timing belt. I can't remember if that included the water pump. It was less than the dealer's price and my guy and the mechanic that had been taking care of my cars at the dealer for over 10 years had quit and I didn't know where they were working, so I let him do it.

Almost a year later, I'd found out which dealer my guy had gone to and my car was there for some other stuff. The service advisor that checked my car in asked if I'd had my timing belt changed, because of the mileage. I said yes and we moved on. When the mechanic got started on my car, he asked my guy if I knew it was time for a timing belt change. He was the mechanic from the other dealer and they both know how I am about my car. My guy told him I'd already had it done. I got a phone call.

Long story short(er), it turned out to be highly unlikely that the guy I'd paid to change my timing belt actually did anything to my car. I later learned that he's known among people that work in the business for doing that kind of thing, and he's gotten fired from a few dealerships for getting over on them and their customers. So for my peace of mind, I've paid twice for the same timing belt change.

Now I'm leery about bargain pricing on car repairs unless it's somebody I know and trust.

Aww, that bites!  Good to keep in mind.  You can always ask for your old parts. That way you'd at least have some sort of proof, though I guess they could still trick you with that as well.

I really didn't want to believe that he'd done that. I asked him to show me a receipt or records where he'd bought the parts for a car like mine.... something, anything that could help me believe he'd done the work I'd paid him for. He refused and said I should just believe him.

[Lizard Queen]

Oct 21, 2014 14:04:59 GMT -5 @pinkcshmere said:

Oct 21, 2014 13:50:37 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Aww, that bites!  Good to keep in mind.  You can always ask for your old parts. That way you'd at least have some sort of proof, though I guess they could still trick you with that as well.

I really didn't want to believe that he'd done that. I asked him to show me a receipt or records where he'd bought the parts for a car like mine.... something, anything that could help me believe he'd done the work I'd paid him for. He refused and said I should just believe him.

He might try harder if you threaten to go to the police, but it's hard to go there.

[Deleted]

It was a couple years ago. I really wanted to make him give me my money back. The guy and the mechanic at the dealer showed me and explained why they didn't think it had been done, when the mechanic first noticed and when he took it all apart to investigate further at my request. They took pictures and gave me the old parts without me asking for them lol. It wasn't worth the effort to me to try to figure out how I could win if I took him to small claims court.

I considered it a lesson learned and moved on. That's probably what he was counting on since he was so blase about it.

I still don't know anything about cars, but now I do notice things like how shiny and clean my new alternator is, compared to the stuff around it. Not that that means anything lol.

[tskeeter]

Oct 21, 2014 10:40:20 GMT -5 tloonya said:

My 1998 Nissan Pathfinder is in need of new timing belt.
It has 105K/miles  on it and in a petty good shape plus we just can't part with this car.
It is love.
So our mechanic quoted $450 for the belt.
Firestone just quoted $900 for belt, water pump and all chachkies.

Anyone had this done? And is it worth it? Considering we just spent $740 for inspection, ressors,
amortization, oil change, alighnment...
So it is tight and good except it needs that...

As others indicated, not replacing the timing belt when recommended by the manufacturer (at 100K miles on many cars) is only a good idea if you really want to spend $6K - $7K on a new engine.

The water pump in many cars is actually behind the timing belt (the timing belt turns the water pump).  And water pumps wear out at about 100K miles.  So, on many cars, it makes sense to do the water pump while the car is already apart to change the timing belt.  When I checked for my Camry about eight years ago, the parts cost for the water pump was about $100.

The other thing you might consider replacing at the same time as the timing belt is the timing belt tensioner.  Same story as the water pump.  It wears out.  And you've got to remove the timing belt to replace the tensioner, so why pay for removing and installing the timing belt more than once.  On the Camry, parts cost for the tensioner was about $100, too.

The $450 sounds about right for the timing belt alone.  Add the water pump and tensioner and some additional labor to install them, you're talking about somewhere around $700 - $800 or so.

[HoneyBBQ]

I always ask for my old parts when I have work done.

Yes, they could just give me any old timing belt, but I like to see what they see. And at least let them know I don't particularly trust them. :0p