[toomeyct]

Hi all,

First post. I just bought a 2005 Forester XS with 105k miles on it. There is no record of a timing service having been done. So I've been calling around to get quotes on timing services in the Denver area.

I've gotten two quotes so far for parts and labor to perform timing belt, crack seal, water pump, thermostat, tensioner, idlers, and cam seal.

Six Stars Auto Service (Centennial, CO) - 645

Roos Only - 1240

It seems weird to me that one place would quote half of another place. I made sure they were including all the services I mentioned above and they were. Has anyone had a service done there before and does this price seem crazy?

Thanks

 

[adc]

No way that 645 is gonna include the parts mentioned

 

[toomeyct]

No way that 645 is gonna include the parts mentioned

Yeah I agree that seems crazy. I made sure they understood what I was asking for and they said it included everything. Essentially I can get the parts on this forum from Jackie for 500, so they would essentially be charging 145 in labor which is why it seems crazy to me. I may go in and check them out. From what I have read online, they have good reviews.

However, 1240 seems high to me from an independent shop. Maybe the dealer, but not from some small shop. Thats essentially 500 dollars in parts and 740 dollars in labor. Seems a little crazy.

 

[adc]

Yeah I agree that seems crazy. I made sure they understood what I was asking for and they said it included everything. Essentially I can get the parts on this forum from Jackie for 500, so they would essentially be charging 145 in labor which is why it seems crazy to me. I may go in and check them out. From what I have read online, they have good reviews.

Go for it.

 

[funkymonkey1002]

Yeah I agree that seems crazy. I made sure they understood what I was asking for and they said it included everything. Essentially I can get the parts on this forum from Jackie for 500, so they would essentially be charging 145 in labor which is why it seems crazy to me. I may go in and check them out. From what I have read online, they have good reviews.

However, 1240 seems high to me from an independent shop. Maybe the dealer, but not from some small shop. Thats essentially 500 dollars in parts and 740 dollars in labor. Seems a little crazy.

You can get the gates timing kit which has the belt, tensioner, and pulleys for under $150 on amazon + the cost of a waterpump (they have kits with a waterpump but iirc the oem one is better). Gates makes the oem belt and are high quality. So while the price is low, it's not completely crazy (I'd probably expect an independent shop to charge around $7-800 everything included on the SOHC motor).

 

[downtown]

Seems weird to have such a drastic price difference. May as well call one more shop, excellent reviews and they've been awesome every time I've been there, very fair prices too - worth calling and talking to Buddy.

A Mobile Mechanics
15810 West Colfax Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 279-9433

 

[jgrote]

Honestly, I think the lower price is in line with what it should cost. I knocked this job out in 2-3 hours on my first time doing it. There is no good reason it should cost $700 in labor. I also recommend Gates parts. They are absolutely OE quality. Some say the water pump is actually better than OE. Flatirons Tuning has a great reputation around here too if you're looking for another option. If you're interested in DIY, let me know and I can give you some pointers. (and maybe even a hand if it's not too cold out.)

 

[toomeyct]

Seems weird to have such a drastic price difference. May as well call one more shop, excellent reviews and they've been awesome every time I've been there, very fair prices too - worth calling and talking to Buddy.

A Mobile Mechanics
15810 West Colfax Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 279-9433

Thanks for the tip. I'll give them a call and see what they can quote me. The good thing about six stars is that they are about 5 minutes from where I work. But I'm always willing to get quotes from everyone.

Honestly, I think the lower price is in line with what it should cost. I knocked this job out in 2-3 hours on my first time doing it. There is no good reason it should cost $700 in labor. I also recommend Gates parts. They are absolutely OE quality. Some say the water pump is actually better than OE. Flatirons Tuning has a great reputation around here too if you're looking for another option. If you're interested in DIY, let me know and I can give you some pointers. (and maybe even a hand if it's not too cold out.)

Thanks a lot for the offer. I'll probably stick with a shop doing it this time and I agree it should not cost 500+ in labor. All the shops I've been calling to just get labor quotes are asking 500+ and that seems high for something that should take a subaru specialist 3 hours or so.

So far so good with the forester though. The only problems I have found so far is that I believe the fog lights have gone out and I need to replace those and the plastic where the electric seat controls are keeps popping off when I sit down. May need to get creative with some glue in there .

 

[orbzome]

Def let us know who you pick, the price and how it goes. Would this service be more expensive for an XT?

 

[good dog]

You may have other options with some of the links here http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f69/new-denver-area-need-tuner-101287/ 'Tuners' do regular maintenance too.

Others that the locals can offer feedback on :shrug:
Subaru repair | Subaru modifications | Subaru performance | SUBA – CO
Subaru Clinic is a company that strives to provide exceptional services - subaruclinic.com
Subaru Repair Denver: Subaru Repair Denver

 

[toomeyct]

Def let us know who you pick, the price and how it goes. Would this service be more expensive for an XT?

I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes.

As for the turbo, I'm not sure. The kit itself from Jackie is 129 more dollars for the parts for the turbo. I'm not sure if the labor would be anymore. I can't imagine it is that much different.

 

[dirteemac]

Honestly, I think the lower price is in line with what it should cost. I knocked this job out in 2-3 hours on my first time doing it. There is no good reason it should cost $700 in labor. I also recommend Gates parts. They are absolutely OE quality. Some say the water pump is actually better than OE. Flatirons Tuning has a great reputation around here too if you're looking for another option. If you're interested in DIY, let me know and I can give you some pointers. (and maybe even a hand if it's not too cold out.)

I read a story where a guy who used the gates kit, he said the bolt broke on the tensioner so the timing belt came loose and the whole motor got destroyed. I think I'd go OEM for that part.

 

[jgrote]

I read a story where a guy who used the gates kit, he said the bolt broke on the tensioner so the timing belt came loose and the whole motor got destroyed. I think I'd go OEM for that part.

This was a problem that popped up a couple years ago. The problem was with the length of the bolt. The fix was to use your old bolt. That problem has been resolved for a while. Also, torquing that bolt to spec is VERY important. I don't remember the exact # right now, but it is not nearly as much as you'd think. (something like 28 lb/ft) I checked the length of my bolt before installing and it was good. Also, you do not want to compare overall length, but the amount of bolt sticking out the back side when installed in the tensioner. Some of the older tensioners had a thinner mounting ear, and thus a shorter bolt. Sorry, now back on topic....