EEEK! timing belts $$$$

[Mitchy G]

hey guys, need to get my timing belts done. i rang rex gorells this morning, im not sure if i asked the right question or not though. i have been quoted 1500 for a timing belt change major service, which is what i asked for, but would this be 2 seperate services? ie. timing belt change, and a major service?

i sure hope this isnt what they are trying to sting me for just changing the timing belts

can anyone clarify this for me please?

[philthy]

hey guys, need to get my timing belts done. i rang rex gorells this morning, im not sure if i asked the right question or not though. i have been quoted 1500 for a timing belt change major service, which is what i asked for, but would this be 2 seperate services? ie. timing belt change, and a major service?

i sure hope this isnt what they are trying to sting me for just changing the timing belts

can anyone clarify this for me please?

Would be all in one. The timing belt service involves a fair bit of labour and should include a new water pump. This is on top of your usual oil and filter changes etc.

Ring around for some more quotes, independent VW specialists will likely be cheaper.


Edit: Have a look here for some people to call - http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=11511

[Mitchy G]

thanks mate. it seems to be double what most people have been quoted for a timing belt change though. 700-800 seemed to be what i should be paying

[philthy]

Yep, haven't done one on my VW yet but the timing belt service on my Mazda Cost ~ $600 a couple years ago.

$1500 seems steep.

[Mitchy G]

yeah i think i might give them another call and ask only about timing belts and mention nothing of a major service. i think i might have shot myself in the foot with the way i asked. i was under the impression the timing belt change was the major service?

[Manaz]

Definitely look at using an independant VW specialist rather than a dealership. You'll find that their labour will be cheaper at the very least, even if the parts are not (since they largely get the parts from the dealership spare parts departments anyway).

[dylan8]

i second manaz.
i got mine done and was prepareing for $1000+
all up my service was ~$700-800
Had it done at a VW specialist, he said its just silly how much places charge. If you have a turbo apparently it takes a hour more, but that is all

[Manaz]

If you have a turbo apparently it takes a hour more, but that is all

Which is another $80 to $100 (at chargeout rates, not pay rates!) for most mechanics...

[Golf Loon]

Yeah we would be under $1000 for the timing belt and major service on that car. And we change all the tensioners and use a metal waterpump, not the plastic one they would use at vw.

[Mitchy G]

ok guys i rang gorells back because i knew something wasnt right. spoke to owen who is head of the service dept. asked him only about timing belts and he told me 800 dollars. which is much more reasonable. didnt quite ask the right question this morning so thats where the confusion came from.

this seems pretty reasonable dosnt it?

[Jmac]

Make sure to check on the water pump though, suppliers are going back to plastic instead of metal. Still even if its a turbo itll be less than the quoted price mate
Shop around and like someone has mentioned most of the parts used even if not from a dealer will be the same or better in a box minus the vw logo.
Always been the way.
Jmac

[Umai Naa!!]

Yes, much more reasonable.

The parts are expensive, but the job itself isn't that labour-intensive. I've smashed them out in just over an hour in the past. Some guys in the USA are doing them in 45mins!

[Jmac]

Just over an hour for what engine??? im sure there was not a torque wrench in sight
Your choice, your name, and "smashing it out" isnt cool. might be when you are an apprentice with a huge dealership backup if it goes tits up, when you are independent as well as making sure its right with minimal comeback you are protecting your name. Stuff ups are taken care of in dealerships no worries seen it a plenty. All i can say is let your conscience be your guide. Works for me.
Jmac

[Umai Naa!!]

Hey, you know exactly what kind of place I work for. But as usual, you're right. While the job was still done correctly (but not to the extant of using a torque wrench), I didn't feel comfortable working at that pace. On average I'm doing them in around two hours, but yeah, gotta deliver on the Circus Advisor's promise. As for the guys in the USA, they're a whole other story. Working on commission for doing the job in the shortest possible time. Some stories involve replacing MK4 water pumps with out pulling the timing belt (or much else off). No thanks.

By the way, it was on a 2.0L MK4. Speaking of which, who makes the water pumps with the steel internals? Have to do one on the Mrs' car.

[Jmac]

Hey, you know exactly what kind of place I work for. But as usual, you're right. While the job was still done correctly (but not to the extant of using a torque wrench), I didn't feel comfortable working at that pace. On average I'm doing them in around two hours, but yeah, gotta deliver on the Circus Advisor's promise. As for the guys in the USA, they're a whole other story. Working on commission for doing the job in the shortest possible time. Some stories involve replacing MK4 water pumps with out pulling the timing belt (or much else off). No thanks.

By the way, it was on a 2.0L MK4. Speaking of which, who makes the water pumps with the steel internals? Have to do one on the Mrs' car.

Ive had a yarn with you already , i know where you are at mate. Not downing you personally, but the dealership thing is pretty poor, and you make it very clear whats going on,and yep spent years in the same enviro, wasnt so bad mind you have to say.Times really have changed. I love the Circus advisor comment that has cracked me up mate We had a workshop foreskin ( foreman) back in the day, ended up being one hahaha. Hey boss its good to see you air it mate and keep anon. Stay that way mate. Pumps you can still get the odd HEPU water pump with metal impellar. Getting scarce now, dont know why.
Cheers
Jmac