Cost of timing belt change

ariesdude · Post by **ariesdude** » February 18th, 2006, 11:08 pm

What would be a reasonable rate for a mechanic to change the timing belt (assuming about $50 or so for parts). I dont have the time or tools to change it myself. I dont want to be cheated by greedy mechanics either.

Thanks for the help.

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » February 18th, 2006, 11:31 pm

Well assuming the tensioner components are still good.. You will need the timing belt and a new valve cover gasket. Any mechanic worth his salt should be able to do it in less than 2 hours easily. Assuming he has air tools and a lift. You could always call the mazda dealer service department.. they will tell you the actual man hours that are allocated for the job. Then you could call around to a few shops and see what their hourly shop rate is. Our valve cover gaskets seem to vary greatly in price. Having just bought one.. when I was calling around.. I found them ranging in price from $27 after tax to $53 after tax. I'd recommend buying the parts and supplying them to whatever shop you take it too. If the 2 hour labor guesstimate is accurate.. probably around $100-$125 in labor. Depending on the shop. Hope this helps.

Tunes67

Hoodzy · Post by **Hoodzy** » February 19th, 2006, 5:32 pm

ahah well i should get my stuff done in the states, cuz i was charged like 800 bucks

ariesdude · Post by **ariesdude** » February 19th, 2006, 8:42 pm

Thanks for the help tunes.

Hoodzy wrote:ahah well i should get my stuff done in the states, cuz i was charged like 800 bucks

If they are gonna charge me that much i will probably get an engine swap - it might be cheaper

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » February 19th, 2006, 8:56 pm

most shops would charge $500 for most cars

Yoda · Post by **Yoda** » February 19th, 2006, 9:57 pm

It looks like you have a 4 cylinder. I have changed the timing belt on a B6 and BP DOHC in under 1 hour in the drive way. The one and only time I have a local shop do it they charged me CN$ 120 including the belt. The timing belt on the V-6 is a different story the last one I had done with the engine in the car cost me CN$230 labor and I supplied the belt because I could get it at the price the auto parts stores pay for them.

ariesdude · Post by **ariesdude** » February 19th, 2006, 10:45 pm

Thanks for all the input guys. I will check it out with the local mechs.

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » February 20th, 2006, 12:07 am

It looks like you have a 4 cylinder. I have changed the timing belt on a B6 and BP DOHC in under 1 hour in the drive way. The one and only time I have a local shop do it they charged me CN$ 120 including the belt. The timing belt on the V-6 is a different story the last one I had done with the engine in the car cost me CN$230 labor and I supplied the belt because I could get it at the price the auto parts stores pay for them

Exactly.. since his engine is the 4 cyl.. its easy to do.. the GS is another story.

Tunes67

Josh · Post by **Josh** » February 20th, 2006, 12:36 pm

on average most shops charge around 500 for the job, on most cars. its a scam if you ask me, but i guess they have to make money some how. a skilled mazda mechanic could do it in an hour or less with normal tools. the only thing that can be a bit** is the crank pully bolt. but thirs ways to do it easily.

i just changed my buddies water pump on his Protege this past weekend and it took me just under 2 houres, and i changed the Belt as well. for 100 bucks pluss parts.

2fazed · Post by **2fazed** » February 20th, 2006, 8:46 pm

I know Firestone here in California charges about $380 for the job. They like most other places will onlyl use their parts, for warranty purposes.

For that kind of money, find someone that know how to do it. Buy the parts and offer them $100 to change the belt.

fritzfab · Post by **fritzfab** » February 27th, 2006, 9:18 pm

well when i got my car the water pump and timing belt went so had to take those to a friends dads shop he told me when he took them off that the pulleys on the timing belt were bad and that the only way to get them was through the dealer that cost me about 350 for both pulleys but altogether it probably cost me like 550 , 600 or so