R33 Timing Belt

[Henros]

Hi All,

I enquired with Nissan in the city about changing my timing belt and was quoted $580 including labour. WTF? I know the belt is only worth around 100 bucks and they charge $480 for labour? What a gigantic bloody rip off. Do you guys reckon if I buy the belt and take it down to Midas, they'd be able to do it? Midas quoted $350 to do the belt on my folks' Verada which as I understand is more labour intensive than the Skyline.

[Zombie]

hmmm $580 doesnt sound that far off.

I think it is still quite labour intensive.

Maybe try UPI??

Adam

[whistla]

got mine done for ~$300 (dont remeber exactly)

and that was at Cheltenham Nissan Service

give them a call 9583 0500

i get my car serviced there all the time, top bloke, top service

[Henros]

Thanks guys. Nissan reckons it'll take 5-6 hours to do the job. Does that sound right?

[whistla]

'bout that...

not sure how long it took to do mine

i left it in the mornin, picked it up in the arvo with the belt changed, pads changed, oil and filter changed

its a biatch of a job to do

[Guest RedLineGTR]

thanks for the tip james

[riggaP]

Henros: Has your car had the Nissan 100,000km service in japan? If so I should've already been changed. My mechanic checked mine when the water pump died and he said it looked brand new.

[phorj]

did mine with a mates help (thanks BOZZ)!

only cost me to the timing belt!

Take out radiator and fan, cam covers (harmonic balancer pulley helps!!!) rest to 0deg. and change belts... takes a few hours... but saves $480!

[R34GTT-R]

$300 up here

[akeenan]

yeah do it ur self!

just dont fudge the timing

[Henros]

Thanks guys. I bought my car last year with 54000km on the odometer. I was a bit sus about that since it's a 10 year old car. Having read through some of the forum threads, I think it's pretty likely that the odometer has been wound back. I figure that it's safer for me to change the belt ASAP.

[Zdenko]

when should you change your timing belt?

once you hit 100,000ks?

[T0nyGTSt]

Those guys don't know shit.

It's 2.5 hours max.

I had all belts changed + water pump and it was 2 hours.

1.5 hours is possible if your guys have some race skills.

And I was charged less than half that.

The moral of the story is that you take it to Skyline specialists.

T.

[predator]

yer.. but TonyGTSt they like to ****ing rip you off because they know you have to get it done. Its like many things unfortunately, 90% of places will try and rip you off, or at least charge you lots.

Do the water pump at the same time btw henros.. as they gotta pull lotsa bits off to get to the timing belt.

[pushead]

when they change the timing belt, you might as well get them to change your water pump.. extra $80 i beleive... will need to change this in the future anyway, save some $$$ on labour.

[T0nyGTSt]

Everytime I go to a Nissan dealer for enquires they seem to bump up the price because you have a Skyline.

There's only one I've been to so far which is reasonable.

Seriously the dealer may see a Skyline once every six months. I wouldn't trust someone with so little exposure to Skylines.

The guys I take my Skyline to are experts. They see a couple a week - GUARANTEED.

The rundown is:

Belts = $200

Water pump = $80 (VL Commodore)

Labour = $300 max.

T.

[GTS-4-Freak]

Hey Guys,

My GTS-4 needs a new timing belt aswell... only 55,000kms on the clock so i kinda smell a rat too.

I also have been told i need a water pump aswell so thats handy to both at once.

One Question... How much effect would a stuffed timing belt and water pump have on the performance of my car?

Thanks

[inark]

This is something i will need to do very soon... cars hit 96000ks and they would be pretty genuine ks considering the condition the car was in when i got it and the guy i got it off in Japan knows the old man that owned it before him.

Might see what BMT can do...

[Guest Tempest]

is there a distinct sound or action the car will take if the timing belt needs replacment??

[JNR24]

Yep..."Snap" + "stall" + 12 bent valves +3 busted pistons + $2500 for a new engine.

Its worth changing every 70,000 +100,000Ks and inspect it every now and again. Its rubber, it wears, & it controlls 75% of the motor. Its probly worth getting those kevlar Greddy belts.