The dealer wants $500.00 to replace the timing belt. Is this the normal price. Seems high to me. Any help would be appreciated. Does not include tensioners, water pump, etc. only belt install. 60,000 miles. How long do these really last?
Thank you
Hi:
It cost approx $650 in the UK. After it was done I had terrible engine hashness, they forgot to align the oil pump which is attached to a counterbalance shaft. it's this counterbalance sahft that gives the engine its smoothness.
Regards
John
I just finished the timing belt on my wife's 1999 Galant 4 cyl, and it was, without a doubt, one of the toughest jobs I've ever done, and I'm a Certified Master Auto Mechanic, been working on cars off and on for 30 years.
Here's what I discovered:
The only place that sells the water pump is Mitsubishi, even though others list one, it's wrong. Sucker cost $165!
The tensioning system is very difficult to get right. I didn't have Mitsubishi Special Tool # whatever, and it took me about 2 hours just to tension the timing belt.
The front motor mount must come off, as must all of the shields, including the wheelwell shield. After that, there is only about 2 inches of room to work.
Since the water pump is right there, might as well replace it too, and both drive belts. While the coolant is drained, replace the thermostat. Only Mitsubishi (again) sells the proper thermostat, but at least it is _Cheaper_ than aftermarket.
If you live in California, timing belts are warrantied to last 100,000 miles by law, but the Mitsubishi mechanics won't tell you that. I let mine go 108,000 miles.
Hope this helps!
Gerard
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