hi guys! i've been putting this off for a while now and i know its time, im at about 80,000 miles and i've been seeing a lot of talk about getting the timing belt changed. the guy at the shop i usually take my car to when its needs fixin told me a while ago that i needed to get it done and he would charge $1000 for everything. i am just wondering if that is a good price. also, should i buy a timing belt kit myself and then take it to him to install it or just have him orderall the partshimself? i also think i saw people say to get the water pump replaced at the same time? thanks for any help!

Tami

 

Most dealerships I spoke to gave me a price of $1095 for the job. So I guess your $1000 sounds about right.Defdo the Water pump as well!

 

if the stealer is only 95 more i would go to the stealer. they would have any updates on parts etc.

1000 seems a little high for private shop. typically i've seen them go between 600-800.

if you have done tbs before go for it,its not that terrible if you are mechanically inclined and have worked on cars otherwise take it to the shop. there is a good write up in the diy section that shows the whole process.

and yes definitely do the waterpump and whatever else is there while ur there.... belts etc.

i have a 99 and between 95-120k all kinds of stuff went... wpump, thermostat etc... long list

 

oops sorry i thought u were talking about doing it urself.

most mechanics do not like people bringing them parts nor will they warranty the work with ur parts. sometimes their parts are better and cheaper depending on how they do their markups.

but it doesnt hurt to ask.

 

My garage lets me buy my own parts. 400 for labor, 270 for the ECS kit.

 

Yeah $600-800 sounds about right. I just paid $920 for it, water pump and all. I'm in Denver though and all private shops charge up the *** for labor. If you can buy your own kit from ECSTuning.com do it, but most garages won't let you bring in your own parts. If they do, make sure you inquire about a warranty...a lot of places void the work warranty if you use your own parts, so I wouldn't recommend doing it if that's the case.

Also, don't go to the stealership, they charge you up the *** for parts. Basically every part you buy from the dealer is at a minimum like 2x the amount of money, they make a ton of money from it. Any t-belt job over $1000 is a total rip-off, don't give that place your business they're just scamming you.

just my .02 cents.

LampyB.

 

Hey tami where are you at? ever heard of Renn-art? they are around chicago and have a sale this month - get the whole TB job including everything for $650 . Call around - if the guy you usually go to is trying to overcharge you then call around - the job is not that bad - plenty of members have done it and were no pro mechanic.

 

How hard is a timing belt replacement if i did it myself? im comin up on 140k and im not too sure when the timing belt has been replaced. Id like to get the ecs kit and do it myself. Im pretty good with cars but im just wondering what all is intailed with the audi? ive never worked on an audi engine before.

 

I have only done minor engine maintenence, and I am going to attempt to do my own t-belt. I am going to use the DIY on AudiDIY.com. I will lett you know how hard it was possibly tomorrow night or sunday night (depending on how long it takes me!)

josh

 

Yeah a local shop around here lets me supply my own parts too. And he said that the labor would only be 300 something. But mine was already done not that long ago so I am not to worried about it.