FTO AUSTRALIA

Hey guys, I've just got my car serviced.. My mechanic did a full check up as this was the first time ive serviced my car since ive had it.. there was a few things that needed replacing...

1. timing belt / oil seals
2. left hand drive shaft
3. spark plugs

His not sure whether the timing belt has been changed or not but thats #1 priority, although he said there were leaks.. and the leaks could wear the belt out n snap it.. and as a result the engine will go with it..

The cars making sqeuaky noises when i turn corners or go over bumps.. apperntly thats because of the drive shaft / joints..

Spark plugs that are currently in there are iridium but non mivec.. (just found out that there is such a thing) and to change the sparkies the maifolds gotta be removed.. ?

Estimated prices I've been quoted..
timing belt + seals = $540
left hand drive shaft = $200 - $280
replace spark plugs = $250

(all price includes labour) - think thats where all the costs have gone to.. =\

Anyways.. just wondering whether any of these are possible to DIY.. and / or the the prices that ive been quoted ridiculous or reasonable? Thanks..

man those prices are too high.
250 for sparkies.
go to a few more mechanics and get quotes before giving the job to this guy. i'm pretty sure you can get it done for much less than that, will speak to my guy and let you know if he can do it for less than this.

u in melb right?

Do not attempt DIY timing belt, few members had damage their cars because of the wrong timing already.

The only thing i suggest you to DIY is the Spark Plugs. Price wise, its not the most expensive nor the cheapest, but if his a good mechanic, its worth every penny.

I could be way out here.... but if he is taking everything apart to do the timing belt and seals, then won't he already have access to the rear spark plugs? therefore not having to 'double charge' for the labour of getting to them?

I am assuming that the prices include parts and labour so $250 for a set of spark plugs and gaskets to remove the manifold dosent sound so bad also the timing belt is no where near the inlet manifold, but I would do the water pump while you did the timing belt, about $160 for the pump and $40 extra in labour.

BobZ

vivek wrote:man those prices are too high.
250 for sparkies.
go to a few more mechanics and get quotes before giving the job to this guy. i'm pretty sure you can get it done for much less than that, will speak to my guy and let you know if he can do it for less than this.

u in melb right?

yup im in melb.. south eastern..

well $250 includes sparkies n labour.. the price ive been quoted is if i was to do them all individually, I suppose i may as well get them all done in one go, hopefully it'll work out alil cheaper since ill be saving alil on labour costs..

i wouldn't attempt to change the timing belt.. not worth the risk.. the sparkies and the shafts should be allright.. nothing but nuts n bolts, just alil time consuming is all.. My mate reccommended me to this mechanic and so far his done a good job on his evo6.5 tme.. so i guess his pretty trust worthy, ive been through a few mechanics in my days and have found most of them very unreliable and dodgy..

Hrmms water pump? that neccesary to replace? im tryna avoid spending / changing things that dont need to be replaced.. although ill run it by the mechanic, i suppose if it needs to be done i may as well get it all fixed at the one time..

Anyhows, thanks for the replies guys.. much appreciated

id say those prices are a bit more expensive than you need to pay but not too ridiculous. and yea get your water pump changed too if your cars around 100k, those are all normal issues you have.

lol the top of the range IRIWAY NGKS will only set you back about 150...I can get them for about 130 a set....copper and platnium are much cheper.

You could even get some new leads for thats price.

The man. fold gasket is $25. Labour - 1 hr frome start to finish. Therefore about $80 for std plug setup + 25 for a new gasket 105...labout of $150? I will do it for $200 all up...bring it to my house!

I dont think its the gasket that needs replacing.. he said something about there being 4 - 6 seals or something.. ? *shrugs* I'll head back down to the mechanic when i get a chance to and ill see what he can do the lot for.. If its worthwhile i might as well get them all done if not ill just get the timing belt done there and the rest ill do it else where so ill get back to ya khunkeng.. Thanks for the offer dood.

FTO338 wrote:Do not attempt DIY timing belt, few members had damage their cars because of the wrong timing already.

The only thing i suggest you to DIY is the Spark Plugs. Price wise, its not the most expensive nor the cheapest, but if his a good mechanic, its worth every penny.

As long as you know what your doing changing the timing belt is easy!

I did mine!

payaya wrote:

FTO338 wrote:Do not attempt DIY timing belt, few members had damage their cars because of the wrong timing already.

The only thing i suggest you to DIY is the Spark Plugs. Price wise, its not the most expensive nor the cheapest, but if his a good mechanic, its worth every penny.

As long as you know what your doing changing the timing belt is easy!

I did mine!

actually I was gonna PM you about this..I reckon it can't be that hard...did u using some kind of timing light for adjustment? some more info would be appreciated man.

m3nG wrote:I dont think its the gasket that needs replacing.. he said something about there being 4 - 6 seals or something.. ? *shrugs* I'll head back down to the mechanic when i get a chance to and ill see what he can do the lot for.. If its worthwhile i might as well get them all done if not ill just get the timing belt done there and the rest ill do it else where so ill get back to ya khunkeng.. Thanks for the offer dood.

when you take off the inlet man. the gasket might be worn/old and break off. for 25 bucks its best just to replace it to be sure, however ppl seem to resuse them...

khunjeng wrote:

payaya wrote:

FTO338 wrote:Do not attempt DIY timing belt, few members had damage their cars because of the wrong timing already.

The only thing i suggest you to DIY is the Spark Plugs. Price wise, its not the most expensive nor the cheapest, but if his a good mechanic, its worth every penny.

As long as you know what your doing changing the timing belt is easy!

I did mine!

actually I was gonna PM you about this..I reckon it can't be that hard...did u using some kind of timing light for adjustment? some more info would be appreciated man.

no timing light. Every pulley has its marker, as long as you get it lined up your fine.

I just dont know how people are destroying their engines though. If they managed to bend valves then its obvious they should not have attempted to do it in the first place.