Hi,I've just been quoted £370 for a new cambelt and water pump on a 1991 Townace with the 2CT engine. Does anyone know if this sounds reasonable? I thought I might as well get the pump done with the belt as they're in the same area.
- (#14766) Martin Perry, 4 Jan 05 15:24
This price is a bit over the top, Belt fitting is about 70 pounds with another 30 pounds to fit a new water pump. 45 pounds for a new water pumps & 25 pounds for s new genuine toyota item.
- (#14766) Arshad Mahmood, 4 Jan 05 17:26
Hmm, don't know about that, Arshad. I'd guess at five hours to do a belt and pump (assuming no problems). Now, if the garage had never done one before it could take a bit longer. And depending on where Martin is in the country, labour could be up to £50/ hr.
I'd be surprised to see a qualified mechanic doing a belt change for £70 on a townie- It's a pretty evil job. I'd be even more surprised to find him then charging another £30 to slacken and then tighten a dozen screws...
- (#14766) david miller, 5 Jan 05 01:54
If the £370 is for the job to be carried out by a well established Garage/Motor Engineering Co, with all their overheads and a guarantees on parts & labour, it's not too bad. If it's to be by an amateur,with none, or very little experience of the Townace, it's on the high side. However,in my opinion, to fit a cambelt, on a Townace, is not straightforward, and £70 would hardly cover the time even without the inevitable snags. If I were you Martin, I should get some alternative quotes, preferably from companies who know the engine.
- (#14766) John Davis (Leics), 5 Jan 05 02:52
£370 sounds reasonable to me for guaranteed work by someone familiar with the job. The trouble is that, for the cambelt, there can be hassle and delay removing the crankshaft pulley and if, say, they get a V-belt tension wrong when they re-assemble then you'll expect them to take the time to get the floor out and put it right.
It's debatable, so watch for a response, but if you know that the cooling system is fine then I question the wisdom of doing the water pump at the same time. The pump itslef is not cheap, some of those dozen screws are quite hard to reach, removing the injector pump sprocket can be a challenge, and you incurr a big risk of trouble having had the cooling system emptied and re-filled. If it isn't broken don't fix it.
From reports here it seems that our water pumps don't fail to pump, they fail by gradually leaking coolant from their seals. So if you have a leak that you can't find anywhere else then certainly change the pump. The crankshaft pulley doesn't have to come off to change the water pump so prices (guaranteed work by someone familiar with the job) might be £200 for cambelt every 3-5 years, £200 for water pump every 10 years (in other words you might never need it), £370 for both at the same time, either every 3-5 years with every cambelt change or only when there is reason to suspect the water pump.
- (#14766) Dave Mason (Sussex), 5 Jan 05 04:24
Thanks for all the advice folks,much appreciated.I've decided to take Dave masons advice re the water pump,if its not broken don't fix it.The cooling system seems fine,so I'll leave well alone for now.BTW,I'm in N.Somerset,and the garage is a well established engineer in Clevedon.I've seen a few Townies in there,and they did my last service without throwing up their hands in horror,so I guess my bus is in safe hands for the belt change.
- (#14766) Martin Perry, 5 Jan 05 13:58
It would be really helpful to know what they quote for just the cambelt, and if it turns out OK
- (#14766) Dave Mason (Sussex), 6 Jan 05 03:14
£290 inc.VAT for the belt,which was pretty close to a couple of other local established garages.This one being closest swung it,plus they've already done work on this Ace..I know the pump wasn't that much extra,but it could have led to problems that I don't have now. I'll let you know how it turns out.The garage is BRM Auto Engineers in Kenn Rd.,Clevedon for any localowners.
- (#14766) Martin Perry, 7 Jan 05 11:14
These two each of these to consider replacing as well.... Bring back the timing chain!
- (#14766) Frank, 10 Jan 05 03:36
Job done,no problems so far.I've done about 90 miles since Monday,about a third on the M5, with no unusual noises,so I guess all is well. The van was in for seven and a half hours,but I was billed for four and a half,which seems a reasonable time compared to others on AA. labour rate £40 p/h. Phone number of BRM 01275 878163.For any local owners,ther's also a garage in Nailsea,Protechnical, who do work on imports. They also reckon they've got good spares stocks and links to Japan. I might give them a go next time.They're just up from the fire station.
- (#14766) Martin Perry, 11 Jan 05 18:05