Why do dealerships charge so much to replace a timing belt?

Question

my dealership wants to charge me 600 dollars for a 38 dollar part? i haev a 2004 hyundai elantra. has anyone ever done it themslves?

Answer 1

A timing belt is what transmits rotation from the crankshaft to the camshaft.

It's not like an accessory belt or serpentine belt, this one's behind the front cover to your engine. This is where the labor comes in...it usually (but not on all cars) requires removal of several components, such as the water pump or alternator (and reinstalling them when complete).

On a lot of modern cars, if you do not replace it correctly the valves can hit the pistons when the engine is started, causing very expensive damage.

It is a very labor-intensive job, and auto repair labor is very expensive these days. For a reason...cars are more complicated and require much more training to repair than they used to. I do not recommend doing this repair yourself.

I only wonder why this wasn't covered under warranty, it's only a 2004.

Answer 2

Not on an elantra. The labor associated with a timing belt is expensive, and should be left to professionals. You might be able to do it yourself, but if you're off on your timing you could damage your engine. Costing you way more than $600. If you don't want to pay as much take it to a local shop, they're usually more reasonable.

Answer 3

Shops are required to abide by the "book rate" set by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs.
They are allowed to charge a set labor time for repairs, and nearly everything is listed in reguards to billable hours.

Dealers charge the highest labor rate "per hour" than everyone else, and aren't always your best choice for repairs.

Check with your friends and family for recommended mechanics.
You might be better off.

Answer 4

dealerships can charge a crap load of money just because they can and you have people that will pay 600 dollars for a job that took 30 minutes to do with parts that cost 40 dollars if you need to get this done take it to a small repair shop or do it yourself i have done this but i do have some car knowledge but if you take it to a repair shop you will pay a fraction of what the dealer charges just call around and you can get this done for 250 or less i would think

Answer 5

That actually sounds like a pretty fair price. Are you aware that you practically have to tear apart half the engine before you can even remove the belt? It's all labor, that's why it costs so much. Do some research.

Answer 6

in case you have the seals and water pump performed on a similar time it's going to be extra. purely changing the belt at a usual shop on the two.5 sohc can run over 4 hundred money. it's going to be over one thousand in case you're taking it to the broker yet you with a bit of luck do no longer could desire to subject approximately some hack bending your valves.

Answer 7

Its not the $38 part they are charging you for, it is the 3-4 hours of labor to install it.

Answer 8

thats pretty high. Take it to a non dealership place that is good. Your paying for the labor not the part on a timing belt.

Answer 9

If its a four cylender its the easiest thing ever... dealerships always stiff ya because of their high labor fees, you could do it yourself or have a local mechanic do it for cheaper...
if you do it yourself, make your your timing marks match up before you put the new belt on... should be one on the camshaft(s), crankshaft & oil pump... line up the needles (or dots) and your good to go...

Answer 10

So take it to an independant repair shop.

To be fair, it IS major surgery, and it's a royal pain just getting TO the d*** thing. Unless you are an experienced mechanic, there are way too many ways to screw it up to do it yourself.