Hello,
I'm not calibrated with this kind of thing, and would like your opinions on, please:
Dealership want $ 900 for a new (OEM) Timing Belt for 6 Cy. 2005 Accord Says it is a 6 hr. job.
Wow !
Is he in the ballpark for this ?
Why 6 hrs just to change a belt ? etc. ?
Thanks, B.
Your problem is finding a good mechanic that is an independent operator. I found a very good one. He quoted me 500 for my 98 CRV timing belt. It came in at 465. He said he quotes high because he often finds other things wrong. He only replaced the timing belt and water pump. From my perspective of mostly ignorance of engines and transmissions, he sounds like a mechanical genius. Everyone in town competes for his time. You would think he would just raise his rates to match the demand. He feels that would be unjustly taking advantage of people. I think he deserves more money for his talent. Just my opinion. I had suggested he raise his rates by 10 per cent. He did raise his income without impacting his cost by only accepting cash or check for work done.
I went in to him complaining about serious road noise. I suspected something seriously wrong with the drive train, maybe the rear axle. He took it for a test drive. He said the problem was a lot simpler. We live in a place were there is serious cold weather in the winter. He said even though I had plenty of tread on my tires they had freeze rot. This causes them to make noise. He sold me a new set of tires. Noise problem solved. Here in the upper peninsula your tire life can often be determined by time exposed to below zero weather. I now keep my CRV in a heated garage.
Michael