? cost to do timing belt and water pump at dealer on '97 Camry 2.2?

johnyang97 · 2007-04-14T22:16:05+00:00

Hi everyone,My brother is moving to Los Angeles and we need to replace the timingbelt and water pump on our '97 Camry 2.2 that has 70k miles. We'reshipping it from NJ to California. I'm trying to figure out where toget it done.I called a couple Toyota dealerships in the LA area to get anestimate and here's what they told me:Miller Toyota has a $169 timing belt special on their website. When Icalled the service department though, they said "$680 for timing beltand water pump replacement. It's 6 hours labor." They also said thatreplacing the drive belts at the same time is "an additional 2 hourslabor" on top of the $680 (though I'm aware in actuality it's not anextra 2 hours labor on top of the timing belt/water pump job). Whatthey said doesn't sound very honest, so I will not be calling themagain... The gentleman I spoke to on the phone told me to go look forhim by name when I go to the service dept so that he can "give me agood deal." There must be some sort of commission factored intosalaries there, for him to be quoting $800+ for timing belt/water pump/drive belts...Carson Toyota in LA said $195 for timing belt replacement, $127 laborfor water pump replacement, plus parts cost for a water pump. Theparts dept told me $100.95 parts cost for a water pump. They saidthat they would replace drive belts at no additional labor and alsorecommended changing the thermostat.Another option is that my dad has a trusted mechanic who said he woulddo the job for about $312 labor plus parts. He said we're free tosupply our own OEM parts. After speaking to the dealership today thatis quoting 8 hours labor for the job, I'm tempted to go with the routeof my dad's mechanic. In that case, which parts should I order forthe job? At the minimum I need:Timing belt $27Water pump $77 (parts from exas Toyota of Grapevine, have bought fromthem before, great service)water pump gasketthermostatdrive beltsAre there also "camshaft seals" or "crankshaft seals" that should bereplaced at...

Apr 14, 2007 23 Replies

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Hachiroku 19 years ago

Oh, yeah! You don't post here on a regular basis, so I didn't recognize your nym.

You ever come to Westrn Mass, give me a shout!

Now, you have a number of shops within a 30 mile radius, and you have the Toyota Distr. Center right close. Is the SR5 the only Toy you have? Ray would know more about this, but I bet you could strike up a relationship with someone right close; Jaffarian's isn't that far (25-35 miles) and they will ship UPS, and MAY even deliver to where you are. The guy I was dealing with was a 2 wheel motorhead, so he now works in a bike shop, but the guys there are good, and will match any price you get, and like I said on my tank, even beat it!

Also, in the other direction is Norm Wagner in Lancaster; I haven't bought parts from them so I don't know if they have any kind of a discount, but the are there.

If you plan on keeping Toys for a while, it's good to have some options. I

*TRY* to use OEM parts, but can't always afford it. Most of the parts I have put on my Supra are OEM or Toyota remand, but the fan clutch, pads and rotors aren't, and I don't think the shocks will be either.

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johnyang97 19 years ago

Hi Hachi, The '89 SR5 is the only Toyota I have. My folks in NJ have a '90 Camry DX with 85k miles (no rust, believe it or not) and then a '97 Camry that's going with my brother to California soon.

I've been to Haverhill before; remember it being about a 40-mile drive.

Usually if I get OEM parts it's from Texas Toyota in Grapevine, TX or from Jay Marks Toyota (now Champion Toyota from what I see). Before your post I had no idea that a walk-up dealership parts counter is willing to match online prices. I'd figured that if you go to a dealership to buy parts, then you must pay at least list price.

Since I don't have the skills/tools/space to tackle major myself myself, usually whatever parts put on it are from wherever the mechanic gets his parts. Last time I had exhaust work they used Bosal parts, marked up 100% from list. I assume my timing belt/waterpump came from Autozone; no idea about the brand.

--John

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Hachiroku 19 years ago

Well at least the Bosal system is a good replacement, almost as good as OEM, and carries a Lifetime warranty no matter WHO installs it!

The Toyota exhausts only carry Lifetime if a dealer installs it. Make sure you still have your receipt! I think you'll need it! Now, depending on the type of driving you do will determine how long the exhaust lasts. Short trips where the engine just gets up to temp causes water to build up in the exhaust, and causes rust. Since I'm not too good at exhausts (bascially, I simply *LOVE* being on my back underneath a car...!) my Mom has had hers replaced by Toyota...three times! The first time was $150, and the next two, free. This is because she uses it to go to church on Sunday ;)

When I put an exhaust on, they last for 100,000 miles or more, since I usually have at least a 20 mile commute to work. The exhuast gets nice and warm and evaporates all the water out, so they don't rust as bad.

I don't even drive my Scion unless I'm going at least 10 miles!

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