Replaced my timing belt!

[zolotiyeruki]

Whew.  Took me all day yesterday, but I managed to do it all myself.  A $1000 maintenance item completed for $200 in parts.  You certainly need a sense of adventure to try it on your own for the first time--I kinda understand why mechanics charge so much for it!

Took my queues from a youtube video, although it took me a little while to figure out that my engine was slightly different from the one in the video (just the serpentine belt tensioner).  I also used the trick of jamming a breaker bar against the subframe and using the starter motor to torque off the crankshaft bolt.

Boy, I have a lot of sore muscles today, but it sure feels good having saved $800.  Some friends of ours just had theirs done for $1k.  Ouch.

[Michread]

GOOD FOR YOU! 

Just paid $800 for 90k service which included the timing belt & new water pump. It's NOT something we could tackle.

[zolotiyeruki]

Yeah, it's certainly not for the faint of heart or mechanically-disinclined.  Funny thing, though--a couple years after I had the timing belt and water pump replaced on my other car, the water pump failed and I managed to replace it *without* removing the timing belt.  It was driven by an accessory belt, but was located underneath the timing belt, so wriggling it out was not easy.

[TheThirstyStag]

Great job.  Very impressive, as this is not a job for a beginner. 

[Goldielocks]

Way to go!

I felt great for replacing the washing machine pump, but that is baby steps next to you....  I too need a timing belt done, but have been putting it off.  Wish I were as handy as you.

[Exflyboy]

Great, and now you have done it once you can do it over again!

In fact with a couple more hours of training I could teach you to strip down and re-assemble an entire engine..:)

Frank

[enigmaT120]

That's a pretty good do-it-yourself project.  I've done several of them but I don't enjoy them.  My wife's car is due again soon.  The last time I bled quite a bit -- that car was put together by people (or robots) with smaller hands than mine. 

[zolotiyeruki]

Great, and now you have done it once you can do it over again!

In fact with a couple more hours of training I could teach you to strip down and re-assemble an entire engine..:)

Frank

You're welcome to visit any time.  Rebuilding an engine and transmission is on my bucket list. :)

That's a pretty good do-it-yourself project.  I've done several of them but I don't enjoy them.  My wife's car is due again soon.  The last time I bled quite a bit -- that car was put together by people (or robots) with smaller hands than mine.

I count myself lucky--I only skinned three knuckles on this job, plus two other minor scrapes.  For $800/day, though, it's definitely worth it!

[Iconoclast]

Congratulations! You truly have "golden hands"!  :)

[falcondisruptor]

Wow, I'm so impressed!  Car repairs is something that I just don't understand yet.  I've only taken on jobs like topping up the tranny fluid!  Great work!

[Chranstronaut]

This is awesome!  I've been DIYing my car repairs, but this intimidates me.  Great job!