timing belt quotes from two shops

Hey, fairly new poster on this site and I hope to get some guidance from other 4runner owners! well my wife and I are getting close to our 90K timing belt replacement! we own a 2004 SR5 V8 4runner. I currently take both are toyotas to an toyota independent shop here in durham, nc, well for 6 months at this place and this garage quoted me at 725 for the timing belt and an extra 198 for the water pump if it needs replaced..So today, I called another toyota independent shop in raleigh just to get a quote, and they would charge 390 for the timing belt, 200 for the water pump with a total close to 600 and tax...HUGE price difference! Both garages have high ratings for toyota work and awesome reviews



excuse my lack of knowledge as both of us never had to get this done but is the 725 excessive just for the belt? or does this sound right?



I did have our drive belt replaced a month ago, it was starting to squeal, so that is out of the way as well for the timing belt replacement.



thanks for any info

Reply 1 : timing belt quotes from two shops

PSUPOWER,



To do that job right you need to replace the water pump regardless of condition because you don't want to have to replace the water pump before the next belt change,that would just be money wasted.With that said you also need to have all shaft seals reploaced at the same time. And don't forget the oil pump housing gasket. I dislike when shops don't tell you that the best way to do the job is to replace said items. At least there will not be any hard aches when they call you at home and tell you that it is going to cost more now because said other items not mentioned in the quote need to be replaced. I would rather tell you this is the way we do it and how it should be done instead of the surprise attack. Hope this helps Oh by the way this job will cost alot more that $750. Probably close to $1000. But in the long run worth the money if you don't want to do it yourself.

Reply 2 : timing belt quotes from two shops

On a V8 4Runner, at our Dealership we get $875.00 to do a T/Belt job which included the T/Belt, Water Pump, Drive Belt, and the Coolant. We haven't had any issues with the seals and are not replaced with the T/belt on the V8s just because there is a lot more involved like taking out the cams in order to do them, which would add to the cost and they very rarely leak.



with that being said, I do offer TN member 30% off on OEM parts, and only charge actual shipping costs plus a couple of bucks for materials, etc. So, a T/belt is $56.47 MSRP and TN members would pay $39.53, Water Pump MSRP is $143.53 and TN members would pay $100.47. If your shop doesn't mind you bringing in your own parts, you may want to consider this as an option. Coolant is $19.77 MSRP and TN member price is $13.84, now a gallon of coolant weighs 10lbs and you would need at least 2 gallons, so the savings may not add up to the shipping costs, but the option is out there.



Hope this information serves the TN community well.

Reply 3 : timing belt quotes from two shops

TOTOPARTSMAN,



I believe the V8 you are refering to is the 5.7L which comes on the Tundra not the 4runner. The 4.7L on the 4runner has replaceable seals on the cam that does not require cam removal. So I would suggest the seal replacement.

Reply 4 : timing belt quotes from two shops

I am not a tech, I did inquire about this with a tech and as a rule, when you come in, and this has been the case with at least 4 dealers I know of, we do not replace the seals on the V8. With that being said, this is only what we do, please feel free to pursue whatever avenue you are most comfortable with.

Reply 5 : timing belt quotes from two shops

I agree on the seals not needed on the 4.7. never seen one leak yet after countless t-belt jobs. Water pump? A must.

BTW, this job is 6.5 hrs with a pump which explains the heavy quote. A ridiculously low quote like that I'd be worried.

If you want, I could do this for you. I'm at MJ in Durham. 27 years exclusively with Toyota's.

Reply 6 : timing belt quotes from two shops

Never say never. There is always a first time.

Reply 7 : timing belt quotes from two shops

true

Reply 8 : timing belt quotes from two shops

The VVTI 4.7L engine cam seals are far more dificult to replace than the non VVTI engines. I do not belive they would be worth going after unless they were leaking(VVTI models). Sounds like they never do.

Reply 9 : timing belt quotes from two shops

The price of $775.00 is about right...I would charge $734.00...