NEW TIMING BELT

[97pathygurl]

I just had to replace the timing belt on my ride. This was a big job because I had to replace the water pump too, as well as other parts. Between the cost of the tow truck...parts...and labor..THIS WAS NOT CHEAP!!

Please take care of your ride so you don't end up in this position!!!

NUFF LOVE TO MY PATHY FAMILY!!

[KoukiS14]

Well it's pretty much unavoidable, as we VG people have to do this at 105k I'm not looking forward to it at all, and I'm not in the position where I can even begin to attempt the work by myself.

I work at a college that has a nice auto shop, and tried to get them to do it but the head of the tech division laughed -- he was pretty sure they'd F it all up.

[97pathygurl]

ALL I KNOW IS....THAT WAS WAS REALLY EXPENSIVE JOB!! I HOPE I NEVER FIND MYSELF IN THAT POSITION AGAIN.

[CakeDaddy]

ALL I KNOW IS....THAT WAS WAS REALLY EXPENSIVE JOB!! I HOPE I NEVER FIND MYSELF IN THAT POSITION AGAIN.

May I ask how much? On my 98 I paid approx $700(at the dealer) for my timing belt, water pump, and some other misc belts along with the upper and lower seals.
Modified by CakeDaddy at 2:28 PM 1/17/2008

[fueler]

Mine was $600 with all new belts, hoses, thermostat, cam seals, intake manifold gaskets, tensioners, water pump, oil change, 1 broken cv boot, and replacement of some brake rotors (i provided the rotors)

[SnowSurfLax]

Mine was $600 with all new belts, hoses, thermostat, cam seals, intake manifold gaskets, tensioners, water pump, oil change, 1 broken cv boot, and replacement of some brake rotors (i provided the rotors)

Damn, where did you go? Mine cost about $1000 with about the same amount of work done.

[bmlawless]

My mechanic quoted me $600-$700 for the whole job when we were out shopping. Fortunately, the one we bought already had the timing belt done.

Since it was done by a dealer, they were cheap and did not do the water pump. On the 3.3L, the timing belt does not turn the water pump like it does on the 3.5L. Because of this, you do not have the same risk of a new belt applying "new" force on the worn bearings of the water pump causing it to fail 15k miles later which will bring you right back into the shop to do everything all over again. Because of this, we took our chances and bought it hoping for many miles before I see the tell-tale drip of a water pump gone bad.

That being said, my mechanic told me to ALWAYS replace the water pump when you replace the timing belt. It is under $100. The main cost in this job is the labor of pulling the radiator, fan, and half of the front of the engine off. If you don't replace the water pump, you will be back in there sooner rather than later paying for all of the same labor.

[fueler]

Damn, where did you go? Mine cost about $1000 with about the same amount of work done.

TK import 4516 1/2 30th St (North Park) (619) 282-1772 Owner is Ted, good guy, I known him for years now, he's Polish so get ready for the accent

[pathfinder_se_black]

haha there is always a polish guy running an auto shop somewhere. we have one in houston and he cannot match any paint for any car lol

[97pathygurl]

Wow...you all paid more than I did. I guess I should stop complaining then huh? I paid $500 to have the same amount of work done. This guy completed the job in a day and a half. Parts, labor and tow truck had a grand total of $600.

[fueler]

haha there is always a polish guy running an auto shop somewhere. we have one in houston and he cannot match any paint for any car lol

haha yeah we got polish mechanics to stay away from too. They are not con-artists, they just simply dont know what they're doing! Luckily I know TK is a great guy and legit. HE also runs a tow truck basedin North Park, so snowsurflax, if u ever need the tow hookup, call TK Towing and tell them the polish guy Adam referred you! Maddd cheap!

[97pathygurl]

Fellas I'm looking for someone to ride shotgun in my pathy...hit me up!!! I'm tired of riding solo!

[KoukiS14]

Fellas I'm looking for someone to ride shotgun in my pathy...hit me up!!! I'm tired of riding solo!

Sure, as long as my gf can ride in the back

[KoukiS14]

Should add some pics to your myspace

[ganesh21]

hi,

i did my timing belt my self. i took a half day. it is not as hard as it sound.

what i did was just remove all 3 belts. unhook some cables in the front. take of the fan. Replace the water pump while you are at it. remove the cover, loosen the tension and out came the belt.

then reverse and process.

since you are doing the time belt it would also be good to change any pulley and check for leak around the cam shaft.

also note that you have all the right parts and this is not your first time doing this.

[KoukiS14]

damn ganesh, you make it sound like something even I could do. tempting...

Any pointers in regards to placement of timing belt? The VG being an interference engine, I can only imagine what'd happen if it were off a notch or six.

[ganesh21]

just make sure to mark the two cam shaft.

when i did my timing belt i notice my timing was off by one mark.

[KoukiS14]

I will. . thanks!! This could save me a lot of money, from which I will buy you a food or beverage item of your choice. That includes cocktails, french fries, steaks, etc. Also, a combination of the preceding items.

[97pathygurl]

Sure, as long as my gf can ride in the back

LMAO....SURE!!!

[97pathygurl]

hi,

i did my timing belt my self. i took a half day. it is not as hard as it sound.

what i did was just remove all 3 belts. unhook some cables in the front. take of the fan. Replace the water pump while you are at it. remove the cover, loosen the tension and out came the belt.

then reverse and process.

since you are doing the time belt it would also be good to change any pulley and check for leak around the cam shaft.

also note that you have all the right parts and this is not your first time doing this.

You make it seem like changing the timing belt is child's play. Why didn't you give me the step by step instructions before I paid the mechanic to do it??

[KoukiS14]

You make it seem like changing the timing belt is child's play. Why didn't you give me the step by step instructions before I paid the mechanic to do it??

I doubt it's THAT easy. . I mean my instructions for brake pad replacement were similar, but I failed to mention that it took a good bit of physical force for some parts (at least on my vehicle) and that it was 95 deg outside and I was doing it in a parking lot and my knees burned from being on the ground, etc. . it was quite miserable

[ganesh21]

changing the time belt is not something that is easy. it will take a lot of time and a good understanding of what you are doing.

please understand that i use an air compass which help a lot.

i reason why i did it myself if because this is not the first time changing a time belt.

changing brake pad on a pathfinder only take 30 minutes for each side. also if you are going to be on your knee, please use a knee pad.

[KoukiS14]

werrrrrrrd. . well I was living in an apartment, and that day and time was the best I could come up with to change 'em.I'm happy to say I have a garage where I can do stuff now :o

I work at a college, and they have an auto mechanic school there with a complete shop and cheap rates. . . the dude would not let me bring it by for his students to work on, so I'm probably def. not qualified. I'd do it if I had more than one vehicle.