Timing Belt change Dealer vs Independent shop
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 255
i usually dont have a problem sending it to another auto shop, but with the montero due to the rare support it has in the US.. i just seem more to leaning to pay extra to have the dealer do the work. but when the time comes who knows.. im sure I will just go with one of my trusted local shops.
Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 73
From: My other car is a firetruck
inquired about the cost of doing a transfer case lube change. I inquired what type of gear lube they use (GL-4, vs Gl-5) and the manager had no idea what I was talking about. He said that all transfer cases and differentials get the same gear lube. LUBE CHANGES ARE THEIR BUSINESS! GL-5 hypoid gear lube in a xfer case is a big no-no!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 211
From: Santa Cruz, CA
I did screw up a timing belt on my old 86 Stanza wagon. I got the belt part right but couldn't get the new idler to the proper tightness. The result was an early retirement for the Stanza....(sniff)
My vote is to find a good local mechanic that'll do it for a reasonable fee, unless you have the time, know-how & experience. Or can afford to send your car off to the pasture if the belt slips and your timing goes South....
My vote is to find a good local mechanic that'll do it for a reasonable fee, unless you have the time, know-how & experience. Or can afford to send your car off to the pasture if the belt slips and your timing goes South....
Last edited by mothman52; Apr 5, 2011 at 07:35 PM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 36
From: San Diego, CA
Indy shop will need some tools for TB change
Nothing wrong with a good indy shop, but they'll need to make or buy 3 tools, one to get the crank pulley off, one to get the cam sprocket off (if they are doing the front seals), and one to torque the tensioner.
I just finished mine with 130K on my 2002 LTD, the belt was in excellent shape and probably could have gone a lot longer....
Good luck.
I just finished mine with 130K on my 2002 LTD, the belt was in excellent shape and probably could have gone a lot longer....
Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 9
From: MA
Someone mentioned an inspection panel for checking the timing belt? Where do I find that and how do I access it? I've got a 2002 Limited with 145k miles. I've hot zero probs since buying it with 79k on it. It's def time for a timing belt and I am tight for money. Want to go the cheap route, but I understand the pushback about Monteros being a rare car that most mechanics have NO experience with. My biggest fear is that my local Mitsu dealership here in Colorado seems completely inept. It was a Dodge dealership that absorbed Mitsu. My experience with them thus far has been pretty sad. They know nothing.
Logan
Logan
