I have 1995 Mercury Villager van and he recommended it as a precautionary measure.
2006-08-19 05:53:40 · 8 answers · asked by Mack 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
its not a belt ..its a chain on the villager..and if he thinks that he can do it for that price..go for it..Its an interference engine and if that belt snaps ..bye bye motor..
see you have to go throough the waterpump to get at the timing cover to change it..
make sure that you get the estimate in writing though..iI think that he is going to start nickle and diming you with little things here and there..
Make sure he is including a coolant flush..is the water pump leaking?(did he include the belt tensionner in the estimate)Maybe get a 2nd estimate..bring it to your mechanic to let him see it ..if it is higher..
Sometimes jobs are bigger then they are estimated
2006-08-19 10:02:56 · answer #1 · answered by iusedtohavehair 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a point, mileage wise, where it makes sense to replace a timing belt. However, unless there is some indicator of replacement, water pump and serpentine belts don't need to be replaced until they fail. If you aren't sure, get a second opinion from another mechanic. Of course when the covers are off to do the timing belt, it is very easy to get to the water pump, so it becomes a judgment call. If it shows any sign of leakage, or you have heard squeals coming from it, now would be the time to do it.
2006-08-19 13:05:36 · answer #2 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok all of these serve very important perposes on your van if you have had the van for 3 or more years and you dont know if the timing belt has ever been changed i would get it done. the water pump if you have 150,000 miles and same thing with the above i would get it done. now the belt you can do on your own and it will tell you when it gets bad all you have to do is open up the hood and look at the belt if there are alot of slits in the belt get it replaced but if it still looks brand new then you could put that one off for a while
2006-08-19 13:02:49 · answer #3 · answered by j e 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The serpentine belt should be changed every 30,000 miles. The timing belt and water pump should be changed every 60,000 miles. If the serpentine belt breaks, or the water pump ruptures, you will be stranded for a little while. If the timing belt breaks, you might have to get a new engine. So, yes. It would be a very good idea.
2006-08-19 13:11:22 · answer #4 · answered by lj1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
timing belt interval is in owners manual. with age of your vehicle and if water pump is still original then change them at same time saves you money because you know it will fail. the serp. belt if it's cracked and ready then there is no labor charge. one more thing though. the front engine seals need to be inspected for leaks. they will damage new belts if overlooked and leaking. sounds like a lot of money but it will probably take a mechanic half a day plus or minus depending on the skill of mechanic.
2006-08-19 13:15:58 · answer #5 · answered by mnuzak 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT IS DEFFINENTLY A GOOD DEAL IT WOULD COST THAT MUCH JUST TO HAVE THE TIMING BELT REPLACED AND IF YOU HAVE ALL OF THE OTHER STUFF OFF THEN IT IS A REAL GOOD IDEA TO CHANGE THE WATER PUMP AND I WOULD ALSO CHANGE THE THERMASTAT AND THE HOSES TO THE HOSES ARE THE MOST FORGOTTEN AND CAN DO THE MOST DAMAGE. I WOULD DEFFINENTLY GET IT DONE FOR THAT PRICE.
2006-08-19 13:07:37 · answer #6 · answered by handyman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a bad price for the timing belt thats work right there
2006-08-19 13:10:21 · answer #7 · answered by mike L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like a good deal. go ahead and pay it. i have 32 yrs in the car business.
2006-08-19 13:00:07 · answer #8 · answered by burner 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋