Yesterday I replaced the timing belt of my car

[KMatle]

First time for me and ... It worked I never fixed cars when I was younger. One day I was so angry about the workshop prices. The part to fix was about 100$ on Ebay (original) and they took 700$ for a 1 1/2 h job. Then I decided to get some tools and fixed the breakes incl. the disks for a few bucks.

 

[charlesg]

I think it is quite unusual for a timing belt to snap these days. It is generally the idlers and tensioner which fail. These would be replaced in a (good) garage job (well you live in hope anyway). Just seen it happen on an employees V40. Idler failed and threw the belt. Result the same: Engine salad.

 

[Cableguy]

First time for me and ... It worked I never fixed cars when I was younger. One day I was so angry about the workshop prices. The part to fix was about 100$ on Ebay (original) and they took 700$ for a 1 1/2 h job. Then I decided to get some tools and fixed the breakes incl. the disks for a few bucks.

I had an E39 530D BMW from years 2000... At 200k Km the turbo broke... I looked around and it would have cost me around 2500€ to get it done in a garage...
So I googled it, and got my hands dirty.... 800€ and a few (quite a few ) headaches later, I had my car rolling again...
Was it worth it? I don't think so, but I looked at it as a challenge, and I jus love challenges...
PS; I never did car mechanics before, and I doubt I will do it again...

 

[MarkusR]

i can agree the hourly rate & material costs here is also steep / economically unreasonable.
in past instead of driving to car repair i can buy a new motor scooter each year, it could have bring me to job also.

 

[KMatle]

Yep. They sell parts like it's made out of gold. They've got fixed plans for each repair.

Example: Wheel bearings. For my car it's about 50€ each. Very easy to install because it's a module. On a VW Golf 3 it was 18,63€ for 2 bearings. Some work to install but easy, too. In a workshop it's 400-500€ for a one hour job. Well done.

On newer cars you need SW even to fix the breaks (to tell the car you're going to do a service).

At 200k Km the turbo broke... /QUOTE]

Ouch. Turbos are critical. If they fail, oil gets to other parts, too.

 

[j_o_h_n]

This guy got ripped off when he went to a dealer for a service

 

[Peter Simpson]

Firstly congratulations @KMatle on replacing your timing belt. Depending on the type of engine, changing the timing belt can sometimes be a complete pain in the butt to do. A few years back I did one on an Alfa Romeo, that was probably the hardest one I've ever done, stay away from Alfas

Was it worth it? I don't think so, but I looked at it as a challenge, and I jus love challenges...
PS; I never did car mechanics before, and I doubt I will do it again...

Why is that?
You saved yourself a load bucket load of cash and got satisfaction in the process of a job well done. Changing a turbo is not that difficult.

Me, I always repair my own cars. But I've also rebuilt cars from the ground up including my current summer car which is a 'Triumph Spitfire'. A few years back I rebuilt and upgraded my then daily driver which was an 'Escort Cosworth', I do miss that car.

Yes, I do enjoy timkering with cars