Thread: 1200 bucks for fitted timing belt. Is it really that hard??

i think i paid about 1/2 of that, maybe $700

Did the $1200 include the new idler and drive pulley, etc?

depends on the parts. my local dealer said about 3 1/2 hours (althoguh one had taken a day and a half), but parts needed can be a killer if it's more than just the belt and seal.

As mentioned it all depends on what is required; there are two timing belt kits that are usually used.

STC4095L: TIMING BELT MAJOR UPGRADE KIT CONTAINS FRONT COVER, TIMING BELT, CRANKSHAFT GEAR, TENSIONER, IDLER, PUMP BRACKET, SIDE COVER, GASKETS, DOWELS & FASTENERS - around $700

STC4096L: TIMING BELT MINOR UPGRADE KIT, CONTAINS TIMING BELT, CRANKSHAFT GEAR, TENSIONER, IDLER GASKETS & FASTENERS - around $300

If you are replacing the belt, you should still change the gear and tensioner etc as they will not last until the belt needs doing again, so it makes sense to do it all while in there.

The last belt change I personally had done was with the minor kit and cost about $650 all up parts and labour.

If you are getting the full monty major kit, $1000 - $1200 is probably about right.

Can you do it yourself? I was quoted between $700 and $1200,[everybody said it was an expert only job] in the end i bought a kit on ebay[belt, idlers and updated solid pulley] for approx $270. As it was i removed my radiator[defender] so i had a bit of room to see what iwas doing, i marked the gears to the timing case[marking pen-i didnt have the lock up kit] and removed the belt and idlers and pulley and installed new, took me about 5 hours as it was new to me, later did my fathers disco and that took alot less time, both cars have run extremely well[done approx 2 years ago]

Well serves you right, you should have bought a VW, check out how they change the belt on these.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQhfcdQf1QA&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- Volkswagen Generator Belt[/ame]

Up here we can do a Defender timing Belt change for $800 and that is full kit with crank seal and o ring, coolant flush and removal of radiator. Also too that is when we normally find the viscous coupling is gone and that has to be add to the bill.

It normally takes us around 3 hours but it all boils down to how hard it is to get crankshaft nut off. one car took us 6 hours to under one nut that was with a high power rattle gun and heat gun. They last person used so much ****ing Loctite it wasnt funny.

well its all food for thought.

carla

Originally Posted by roverspec

Up here we can do a Defender timing Belt change for $800 and that is full kit with crank seal and o ring, coolant flush and removal of radiator. Also too that is when we normally find the viscous coupling is gone and that has to be add to the bill.

It normally takes us around 3 hours but it all boils down to how hard it is to get crankshaft nut off. one car took us 6 hours to under one nut that was with a high power rattle gun and heat gun. They last person used so much ****ing Loctite it wasnt funny.

well its all food for thought.

carla

Yes Mate that's the bug in the system that crankshaft nut.I know of one that took a couple of days and the Garage concerned tried to charge that on an hourly rate. Does landrover have a special tool to remove that nut ?

John ( disco44 )