assuming 82k is out of warranty, you will have to pay someone. You can basically select the dealer, a private shop or do it yourself. Those are in order of cost already. The dealer in your area should be able to give you a quote ahead of time, maybe even over the phone, as would a local shop. They could vary quite a bit depending on the costs of stuff in your area but due to the high labor content I would guess the dealer at 600ish, the local guy and 3-4 hundred and do it yourself at less than 100... just lots of nuts and bolts and whatnot... just my guess... either way do it if you need it.. Its a lot cheaper than letting stuff clank around untimed. Interference engine or not.. (flame avoidance for me there) :hot .. :giggle

 

Assuming you don't have a 3.3 or 3.8L with a timing chain....

flybyy has it correct. It involves quite a bit of labor to change a timing belt. You have to remove a lot of items to get in done. That's important to understand, because you will be faced with the decision to look at the water pump, and even possibly cam seals while your in there.

The parts themselves are relatively inexpensive, but it takes a substantial amount of time to complete the task. At 83k your probably at a good point to consider changing it.

If its out of warranty, my preference would be to take it to a local shop that you are familar with or do it yourself. Some people go to the dealer no matter what, and its a personal thing. We've seen time and time again, that even for simple jobs (like brakes) the dealer's seem to charge extraordinary prices. In some instances they are cheaper, and many times they are cheaper for parts. In the end, take it where YOU feel most comfortable that the work will be performed properly, efficiently, and at a price you can live with. Shop around and get a good feel for 'typical' prices in your neighborhood, then go with your instincts.

Oh... and I would be changing the water pump & its o-ring while you're in there.. its cheap insurance. The water pump is driven by the timing belt. I doubt you'll find a mechanic who wouldn't recommend it to you, unless its been done recently.

My 2.5 cents.

 

AMD and Flybyy got it exactly Right.


I, as the other 2 posters said, would change the WaterPump, and Cam/Crank Seals.
Hmm, Im not too sure but I think I have 180 000Kms on my Original Timing Belt. But Im doubting it because Im not sure a timing belt would go that long. Ah well, I know it has more than 60 000Kms on it because I bought it when it had 120 000 and I never replaced the belt at all.

Hmm, Im not sure where you should go. Some independent dealers you can't trust. Some don't know where the thing is or which is the correct belt. :lol:. I usually get my work done at the dealer as I get peace of mind from getting it done right the first time. But the question is if peace of mind is worth your extra hundred(s)?

 

When my timing belt goes, so does the van!

I will NOT pay a dealer to fix it and I am not sure I would put 3 to 4 hundred into it.

I MAY just for kicks try to do it myself but if that goes wrong....

Chas :blink:

 

its a piece of cake.. just allow plenty of time and keep the beers away til your done... :cyclop

 

My '96 3.0 cost just shy of $400 at a private repair shop. Timing belt, accesory belts, $29 inspection sticker, no water pump.

Jay in MA

 

Originally posted by trcar54@Apr 30 2004, 11:16 AM
My '96 3.0 cost just shy of $400 at a private repair shop. Timing belt, accesory belts, $29 inspection sticker, no water pump.

Jay in MA

After looking at my wife's 98 and my 90 (your's being the 98 style) it looks a LOT harder to get into the 96+ engine compartment for a timing belt change than it would for me.

Mine is like WIDE OPEN compared to my wife's configuration.

Chas :blink:

 

Yeah it was too much work for me to take everything off so I had it done at a shop last fall...now the AC doesn't work....bet they discharged the system by accident when moving the compressor out of their way. Maybe I'll be lucky and find that the compressor engagement wire was accidentally disconnected.

Jay in MA

 

Yes!
The motor mount has to come off. It's not a hard job to do . It just takes some time.
I used a Hanes manual.

 

I finally replaced the timing belt

Well, as it turns out my water pump was leaking so I went ahead and replaced the pump and the timing belt.

Price Quotes:

Dealer - over $600 (wouldn't quote exact price over phone)

Local shop 1: $440 with a brand new OEM pump. The guy said he wouldn't put a non-OEM or used pump on it.

Local shop 2: $389

Chain shop (Tuffys): $349

I went with Tuffys.

 

I picked up my Valvoline 985 DieselGalaxy. Here's the link: http://dieselgalaxy.com/product.php?productid=115229?tw2