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CostHelper > Cars  > Replacing a Timing Belt

Replacing a Timing Belt Cost


How Much Does Replacing a Timing Belt Cost?

 
low costDIY Kit: $100-$800+average costProfessional Replacement: $150-$1,000+ (Belt Only)high costProfessional Replacement: $300-$1,600+ (Package)

An automotive timing belt connects the crankshaft at the bottom of the engine with the camshafts at the top of the cylinder head, ensuring that everything moves at the same time. If the timing belt fails the engine will stop, and in some vehicles the lack of a functioning timing belt can cause expensive engine damage. Autozone provides a video overview[1] .

Typical costs:

  • Having a mechanic or repair shop replace the timing belt (and possibly the serpentine belt and accessory belt at the same time) can cost $150-$1,000 or more, depending on the make, model and type of vehicle. Accessibility varies, so the work can take two to eight hours or more, with labor charges of $50-$120 an hour. A single-overhead-cam 4-cylinder engine is easier to work on and therefore less expensive; replacing the timing belt in a double-overhead-cam vehicle with two cams in each head will be more difficult, take longer and cost more. For a passenger car, CostHelper readers report paying $179-$942 to replace the timing belt, at an average cost of $449. For an SUV or minivan, CostHelper readers report paying $502-$950, with an average of $736.
  • Because accessing the timing belt and its related hardware can be labor intensive, and because it can be difficult to evaluate the condition of these parts without opening everything up, vehicle manufacturers typically recommend replacing items like the tensioner, idler arm, water pump, serpentine belt, accessory belt, drive belts, seals or gaskets at the same time as the timing belt, as preventive maintenance. Depending on exactly what is included, a complete "timing belt package" can cost $300-$1,600 or more. For example, Clutch & Brake Doctors[2] in Beaverton, OR advertises a timing belt replacement starting at $169 and a complete package with a timing belt, tensioner, water pump, drive belts, crankshaft seals and cam seals starting from $388. For a passenger car, CostHelper readers report costs of $300-$1,570 for a timing belt package, with an average of $750. For an SUV, minivan or pickup, readers report paying $610-$1,565, with an average cost of $1,048.
  • Do-it-yourself replacement of a timing belt is a complex project that requires relatively strong mechanical skills, but it can save a significant amount of money. Parts typically cost $25-$80 or more for just the timing belt, depending on vehicle make and model; or $100-$800 or more for a kit that also includes other recommended replacement parts like seals, the tensioner or a water pump. CostHelper readers report
Related articles: Tune-up, Replacing a Timing Chain, Muffler, Tires, Replacing a CV Boot, Wheel Alignment

What should be included:
  • The timing belt is located behind a protective shield, making it difficult to inspect, and it does slowly wear out. Vehicle manufacturers typically recommend replacing it every 60,000-105,000 miles, or after six to seven years. The vehicle's manual will include a recommended service schedule listing when the timing belt (and related hardware, like the water pump) should be replaced. If the vehicle's manual isn't available, a mechanic can look up the information, or instructions for a replacement manual will be available on the manufacturer's website.
  • Addison Auto Repair and Body Shop in Denver, CO, has a video illustration[3] of replacing a timing belt on a Toyota Camry, and AutoMD.com lists the general steps for replacing a timing belt[4] , rating this as a hard project and estimating it takes an average of 5.6 hours.
Discounts:
  • Some repair shops offer discounts for AAA members[5] .
  • CostHelper readers report paying a total of $350-$725 to the parts themselves and then hire a local shop or mechanic to do the work, with an average cost of $508.
Shopping for replacing a timing belt:
  • In deciding whether to replace a timing belt (and possibly related hardware) as preventive maintenance, it's important to know if the vehicle has an interference engine, which means a broken timing belt can cause catastrophic engine damage. The Car Scope repair shop in Chesapeake, VA has a list of engines by manufacturer[6] , indicating which are interference engines.
  • Search for local repair shops through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence[7] or the International Automotive Technicians Network[8] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

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92 dodge spirit
Amount: $370.00
Posted by: Jt82 in CHIPPEWA falls, WI.Posted: November 11th, 2017 08:11AM
Hours of Labor: Shop: Mark quart motors
Had the timing to be re timed and the timing belt put on. All for $400. Some times you hot to put rich people in your shoes or put them on a spot. This is what I have and that's it. Can you do it.
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Timing Belt
Amount: $335.00
Posted by: Paul B. in Dawsonville, GA.Posted: October 15th, 2017 02:10PM
Car Make: 1995 Ford EscortCar Model: Wagon LX
Hours of Labor: 2.5Shop: Big T Tires
Belt broke at 100,000 miles. Replaced belt,serpentine belt,water pump, tensioner and 2 gals of anti-freeze!Car runs great!The price was very fair!
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Timing belt fraud
Amount: $50.00
Posted by: Virginia Lee Pratt in Sandy Valley, NV.Posted: September 22nd, 2017 10:09PM
Hours of Labor: .45Shop: Carport
Really it's easier than you think..The Little tiny bolts that hold the cover is the worst part of replacing the belt...Really. but usually there's a problem with the tension pulley. Being also worn out so that takes a five mins to remove. But depending on the car truck or location in the engine compartment. It's to simple. Although sometimes almost impossible to get to without taking a multitude of things off to make room..That's the time killer. And it could take all day.
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Timing belt
Amount: $1,500.00
Posted by: Susan L in Las Vegas, NV.Posted: December 14th, 2016 06:12AM
Hours of Labor: Didn't sayShop: Asian imports
Went in with my 05 eclipse for preventive timing belt work. Nothing was wrong with the car it was running great. Replaced timing belt , pulleys,and water pump. Went and picked up car and now it has a busted motor mount immediately after picking car up from dealer. Is there any way I could have not known it was busted before going in or is this just the luck of the draw here?
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Remove & Replace Cylinder HeadGasket, Water Pump, Timing Belt, Thermostat, Radiator Hoses(Upper/Lower), Battery
Amount: $1,522.40
Posted by: a user in San Diego, CA.Posted: November 11th, 2016 09:11PM
Car Make: MitsubishiCar Model: Galant
Hours of Labor: $656.00Shop:
Parts-$543.86
labor-$656.00
Machine Shop-$275.00
I believe I was over charged on the parts.
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Timing belt kit replacement - 2001 Toyota Tundra
Amount: $825.00
Posted by: Tundra guy in Phoenix, AZ.Posted: July 13th, 2016 04:07PM
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Tundra
Hours of Labor: ?Shop: Mechanic
Replaced timing belt, camshaft & crankshaft oil seals, water pump, accessory belt
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Timing belt plus water pump
Amount: $982.51
Posted by: Jersey Girl in PA in Doylestown, PA.Posted: April 13th, 2016 04:04AM
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Odyssey
Hours of Labor: unknownShop: Smith's Auto
This is what I was quoted to get my timing belt and water pump changed.
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2005 Dodge SRT-4 Timing Belt and Water Pump
Amount: $1,850.00
Posted by: Ouch - are you serious? in Raleigh, NC.Posted: March 18th, 2016 01:03PM
Car Make: DodgeCar Model: Neon SRT-4
Hours of Labor: 9Shop: Dealer
This is the quote I got from my local Dodge dealer. After looking around, this seems extremely high so I told them to hold off and I'm calling around to get another quote. My Ford dealer has also worked on my SRT-4 in the past, so I'm going to get a quote from them as well.
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Timing belt
Amount: $599.00
Posted by: Erik987 in Mishakawa, IN.Posted: March 9th, 2016 08:03AM
Hours of Labor: Not sureShop: Dealer
Replacing timing belt only at 90000 miles at Hyundai dealer in Mishakawa, Indiana March 2016.
Hyundai Elantra 2007.
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2008 trailblazer timing chain rattling now
Amount: $2,317.56
Posted by: mjt in Charlotte, NC.Posted: February 24th, 2016 03:02PM
Car Make: 2008Car Model: chevy trailblazer
Hours of Labor: Shop: AAA
have not done this yet, just recvd quote for time chain kit and labor.
they want $1854.75 for labor... basically 400 for parts 36 for supplies....grand total $2317.56
I am going to shop around befor i do all this
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timing belt/water pump/drive belts/seals/labor
Amount: $637.92
Posted by: Kristin in San Diego, CA.Posted: July 14th, 2015 01:07PM
Car Make: 2004 HondaCar Model: Civic lx
Hours of Labor: $300, not sure how many hoursShop: Hillcrest Smog and Repair
They replaced the timing belt kit (timing belt, tensioner, water pump), cam and crank seals and fan belts. They also did a full synthetic oil change and replaced the lower timing cover and a hood rod clamp. Best mechanic in San Diego (in my opinion). I've been taking my cars here for over 15 years! A local Honda dealer suggested the timing belt stuff AND separately some oil pump stuff (oil leak) and was estimating 9.5 hours labor at dealer rates! The timing belt and seals are usually replaced at the same time, so the dealer was trying to pull a fast one!
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timing belt replacement
Amount: $550.00
Posted by: Jenniferz in St Petersburg, FL.Posted: May 19th, 2015 02:05PM
Car Make: dodgeCar Model: stratus
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2000 Ford Focus Timing belt and water pump
Amount: $998.00
Posted by: b9bot in San Jose, CA.Posted: May 19th, 2015 08:05AM
Car Make: FordCar Model: Focus
Hours of Labor: 8Shop: AutoTrend Diagnostics
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water pump and serpentine bell and antifreeze
Amount: $280.00
Posted by: chucho in bronx, NY.Posted: February 26th, 2015 05:02PM
Car Make: jeepCar Model: grand cherokee laredo
Hours of Labor: 2Shop: larry & joe
Very happy with the job they did I will recommended to friends
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Timing Belt / Water Pump / Timing Belt Tensioner / Oil Change / Brake Fluid Change / Trans Fluid Change
Amount: $918.46
Posted by: John's Accord in Collegeville, PA.Posted: January 1st, 2015 01:01PM
Car Make: Honda 2006Car Model: Accord V6 6MT
Hours of Labor: 4+Shop:
918.46 Includes 6% PA Sales Tax on the following:
Timing Belt and Water Pump 499.95
- includes new radiator fluid
Timing Belt Tensioner 161.00
Oil Change / Filter 35.95
Replace Brake Fluid / Bleed 99.95
Replace Manual Trans Fluid 69.62
Compared to Mitsubishi, seemed quite acceptable
ALL Honda Replacement Parts
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timing belt et al for 99 lex
Amount: $976.92
Posted by: Her Imperial Highness in hainesport, NJ.Posted: December 24th, 2014 11:12AM
Hours of Labor: 4.40Shop: larkins service center, trenton, nj
bought my 99 lexus es 300 from the typical sleezy used car guy- this make has good reputation but needed work and i held out as long as i could (almost a year) Originally quoted for timing belt kit/cam seals/crank seal/ antifreeze plus labor @ 785.48...for no addtl labor cost i agreed to have the power steering belt/serpentine belt and dog bone motor mount added @ 109.64.... total 976.92.
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timing belt, water pump and thermostat
Amount: $800.00
Posted by: CBG in Bronx, NY.Posted: December 15th, 2014 02:12PM
Car Make: NissanCar Model: Pathfinder
My car over heated and the thermostat needle was fully up. They replaced the water pump, thermostat, timing belt and other old hoses once they were inside the engine...plus an oil change. in my 1998 Pathfinder. All is well after that. I thought I paid high but apparently not.
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Timing Belt
Amount: $2,000.00
Posted by: ethel in melbourne, Other.Posted: November 23rd, 2014 04:11PM
Hours of Labor: unknownShop: mechanic
my holden captiva has broken down on me and the mechanic has quoted me $695 to change the ulternater and it will all cost $2,000 if he changes the timing belt witch he recomended. Is this a good price for what his doing or am i getting riped off ?
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Timing Chain Kit
Amount: $31.00
Posted by: jgIII in Artesia, CA.Posted: October 26th, 2014 08:10PM
Car Make: GeoCar Model: Tracker
Hours of Labor: 3Shop: Home
Replaced timing belt, tensioner and seals. Parts cheap, but labor intensive. Had to take off water pump pulley, crankshaft pulley, timing chain cover just to get to timing belt and tensioner. My Tracker doesn't have A/C, or power steering so there's a lot more room around the front of the engine than most cars. Still a pain in the back side.
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TIMING BELT
Amount: $395.62
Posted by: REYNOSO in KISSIMMEE, FL.Posted: September 9th, 2014 10:09AM
Car Make: 1998 TOYOTACar Model: CAMRY
Hours of Labor: 2.8Shop: REYNOSO AUTO REPAIR
Replaced Timing belt, Alternator belt, Power Steering belt, Crank Shaft Seal and Cam Shaft Seal.
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Timing Belt /component kit/Serpentine belt
Amount: $1,000.00
Posted by: Timing Belt Component Kit in San Antonio, TX.Posted: July 30th, 2014 07:07AM
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Accord-2006
Hours of Labor: 5Shop: Midas
I paid $1000.00 for Timing Belt, component kit which includes water pump, timing belt, hydraulic timing belt actuator, camshaft belt tensioner, camshaft belt idler. Also serpentine belt replacement.
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Timing Belt Kit
Amount: $1,100.00
Posted by: OZ in Lake forest, CA.Posted: May 27th, 2014 09:05AM
Hours of Labor: 5Shop: Midas
Need to replace timing belt just to see if engin is ok! If engin is not ok then it's another $2,100 to fix that!!!!
Mind you the car is 8 years old with 250k miles
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Timing belt replacement
Amount: $780.00
Posted by: Marlon in Brooklyn, NY.Posted: July 21st, 2013 01:07PM
Car Make: Acura 2006Car Model: MDX
Hours of Labor: 8Shop: Emil tire
replaced Water pump, timing belt, serpentine belt, tensioner, idle pulley, hydraulic tensioners
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timing belt
Amount: $1,135.00
Posted by: tobey in LA, CA.Posted: June 2nd, 2013 11:06AM
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Passport 1997
My car stalled & it took 2 days to fix.
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timing belt replacement with valve bent-machined shop
Amount: $950.00
Posted by: matt daniels in san bruno, CA.Posted: February 27th, 2013 09:02AM
Car Make: 2003Car Model: mitsubishi outlander
it took 3 days to finish maybe because of FIFO basis
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Timing Belt etc.
Amount: $800.00
Posted by: MickeyC in Concord, CA.Posted: February 12th, 2013 04:02PM
Hours of Labor: 7Shop:
Water pump, timing belt, serpentine belt, tensioner, idle pulley, coolant, hydraulic tensioners, major tune up, iridium spark plugs x6. For a 2006 Honda Accord V6 Hybrid
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dodge neon timing belt
Amount: $1,200.00
Posted by: a user in san diego, CA.Posted: February 5th, 2013 09:02PM
Hours of Labor: 8hrsShop:
Timing belt , tensioner,water pump, upper and lower motor mounts,belts and coolant. If anybody does it for less,,,,,,,,,,well u get what u pay for
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Timing Belt
Amount: $179.00
Posted by: Merc Topaz in Scranton, PA.Posted: December 10th, 2012 02:12PM
Car Make: 1989 FordCar Model: Escort
Car had 54k miles, stalled coming off the highway and wouldn't start again. Belt was $33, rest was labor and tax.
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Timing Belt Replacement Package
Amount: $878.00
Posted by: Happy Honda Driver in Santa Monica, CA.Posted: December 7th, 2012 11:12AM
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Civic
Hours of Labor: 4Shop:
Package included replacement of Timing Belt, Water Pump, Crankshaft seal, Camshaft seal, Valve Cover Gasket Set, Multi Rib Belt, Coolant. My car was almost at 100,000 miles. I called around for quotes and this was the average price. If it's any less they probably aren't doing a good job, or aren't replacing all of the parts that they should be (which will break down eventually and you will be paying for the labor all over again)
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External Resources:
  1.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmtiYheNBWc
  2.  www.clutchdoctor.com/timing_belt_repair.php
  3.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KJ6wfmB0hI
  4.  www.automd.com/153/how-to-replace-a-timing-belt/
  5.  www.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/ZipCode.woa/wa/route?stop=yes&
  6.  www.carscope.com/Articles/timing_belts.htm
  7.  www.ase.com/Landing-Pages/Car-Owners/Find-a-Repair-Shop/Shop-Locator.aspx
  8.  autorepair.iatn.net/
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