Pricing for work: water pump and belt

[coopns]

02 Camry 110K

There is a local mechanic working out of his garage, two streets over. I am going to approach him for some work that I can't do...water pump and new belt. I am going to supply the parts. What would be a fair price for labor?

 

[oggb]

Two beaver pelts and a handful of your finest beads.

 

[tinmanSC]

which belt? timing or drive?

 

[dtt004]

Hi.

The dealers here in Southern California charge ~82 an hour...it's a usually billed as a 3 hour job. I recently performed the same service on my mom's Camry (5S-FE) in a little under 2 hours. Maybe that will help you?

 

[coopns]

Drive belt, I guess my model has a chain. I just got off the phone with him, he said he would give me a price tomorrow. I don't mind paying fair value, though I am looking for a bit of a break, not paying dealer/garage rates or I would just go to them.

 

[BetaBear]

It depends on whether your Camry has the 4 cyl or the 6 cyl.

Labour time for the 4 cyl is 1.2 hours, whereas the 6 cyl is 3.7 hours.

Labour time for the Drivebelt should be included in that.

If it has a chain, then you lucked out and have the 2.4L 4cyl. The 3.0L 6cyl has a timing belt that drives the waterpump. you would have to remove the Remove right side front wheel, right fender apron seal, drive belt, crank pulley, front cover, right engine mount, timing belt, then the camshaft sprockets, and no. 2 idler pulley, and inner timing cover to get to the waterpump and remove it.

Your engine just requires removing the Drive belt, removing the alternator, the waterpump pulley, and then the water pump. Quite simple.

Multiply the labour time times the cost of labour (anywhere from 80-120 bucks per hour in most cases) and that gets your price of labour.

All labour times straight from Mitchell

 

[coopns]

4 cyl.

I don't mind spending a bit extra for things that would need to be done. Do you think in addition to the water pump and drive belt I should do: the alternator and water pump pulley and anything else while he is at it?

Thanks again, just gives me a ballpark idea.

 

[BetaBear]

Pulley's usually last the life of the vehicle. I've never heard an instance of the actual Pulley going out. It's the bearings that go out. And the bearings are built into the water pump. That's basically why you are changing the water pump (Unless it's happened already) is to prevent the bearings from wearing to the point that they decide to take a dump into the water jackets in the block. I have first hand experience on that one.

I would have him check the condition of the automatic belt tensioner and see if it has any excessive wear in the spring. There's usually 2 marks on the engine, and a notch or tab built into the tensioner that acts as a "gauge". If this is getting near or past one of the marks on the engine, the tensioner has weakened and could warrant replacement. If he's trustworthy he will tell you whether or not it is in good condition. Note that it will be more towards one mark when there is a new belt, and closer to the other mark when there is an old belt. the belt will stretch over time, so this is normal.

There is a TSB (Technical service bulletin) on the belt tensioner for the 2.4L 4cyl. It has to do with belt squeal and rattling noises, especially after a cold soak. The fix was an improved belt tensioner. The part number changed from 16620-28010 to 16620-28011.

It was a TSB in 2004 though, so it might have already been done under the factory warranty, unless you bought new, then I suggest replacement.

Otherwise, I don't see anything else that would need to be done in the general area that is getting repaired. Unless you have some sort of other issue like a vibration or noise you'd like to get taken care of.

 

[pbm]

I'd say $50 an hour is plenty considering he isn't sharing it with our uncle (Sam).

 

[BetaBear]

^ I must have missed the "Out of his garage" part.

My figures were for an average business/shop.