ESPRIT TURBO HC 1988 STEVENS TIMIMG BELT

[Kirk Adamson]

its time for my esprit turbo to get the timing belt changed . what should a garage be charging to do this . ? i live in tyne wear area . newcastle durham sunderland . cheers

[mdw]

Its  a mornings  work plus the cost of the belt ...........................plus anything else that gets seen or goes wrong.   General garage or specialist?   Theres nothing weird or complicated about it and if your handy with spanners there are quite a few threads on here where people have walked and photographed through the process.

[brianc]

I took mine to MAX500 (Esprit specialist) and had it done as part of the full C Service.  I think they charge around £600 for just the belt change - but then they are based in Surrey and things are a bit expensive down here ;).

Great service from them though and they sorted out a lot of little niggles as part of the scope of work.  Max (the owner) also spotted that the tensioner had been incorrectly fitted by the 'specialist' who did the last belt change!

[jonwat]

On 25/03/2017 at 13:22, Kirk Adamson said:

 what should a garage be charging to do this . ? i live in tyne wear area . newcastle durham sunderland . cheers

I'd take it to a specialist if I were you, there's things like the tensioner bearing that a specialist would know to look out for which the garage down the road wouldn't.

Definitely worth the peace of mind finding somewhere that knows the engine, it's not all down to price. 

[Sparky]

1 hour ago, brianc said:

I think they charge around £600 for just the belt change - but then they are based in Surrey and things are a bit expensive down here ;).

Kinell.  Time I put my prices up.

[Chillidoggy]

Indeed, I shall consider going into business on that basis!

[brianc]

I must admit I was a little surprised at how much is being charged.  If I hadn't needed the C Service and I wanted a professional to look over my car to make sure all is ok overall, I might have had a go myself.  My main other concern though was getting the tension right without the proper tools.

[Sparky]

For reference, £350 max including parts, and you can watch, get involved, and you'd learn how to do it next time it's needed.

[Bibs]

^ That's your number 1 option

[Chillidoggy]

When Sparky works on your car, there's an added bonus of knowing that the work will have been carried out properly.

[Sparky]

I love you.

[brianc]

Sparky, I will be first in line for your services when the next change is due.

[pete]

6 hours ago, Sparky said:

Kinell.  Time I put my prices up.

not until next month

[Sparky]

Special discount for you!

[Barrykearley]

7 hours ago, Sparky said:

For reference, £350 max including parts, and you can watch, get involved, and you'd learn how to do it next time it's needed.

Now that is a great deal - job done and a lesson in life as well.

 

[Dan E]

Sparky I am up for this next time (the belts not lotus position, oil and stuff) ?

[Sparky]

Brilliant!  Bring it on.  

[Giniw]

For your information, I asked a rough quote by phone for a cambelt change on an S4s and they ask around 3000 euros (yes three thousand) at a well known Parisian specialist ... 

I intended to do it myself anyway, but I wanted to know before I bought the car.

(on the other hand I find the one morning duration a bit optimistic especially if you face badly placed collars, etc. I have been slower than that but of course it was my first cambelt on a Esprit — and my second cambelt overall ^^)

Edited April 12, 2017 by Giniw

[Sparky]

3000 Euro??? Ooh la la! Henceforth I shall be known as M. Le Sparky and available for travel at a moment's notice.

[rocket63]

On 4/5/2017 at 11:24, Sparky said:

For reference, £350 max including parts, and you can watch, get involved, and you'd learn how to do it next time it's needed.

Haaaaaaaaaang on a mo. Didnt we do 5 at Dave Freemans that weekend? May have been less. Still have "Pulley Twitch"

Must be some dollars somewhere?  

[Sparky]

Well, that was a special one-off event!  Gotta earn a few sheckles now!  Unless it's something like the Copenhagen Belt Fest, where we'll provide the expertise for board, lodging and sightseeing (and plenty of booze).

[Giniw]

On 13/04/2017 at 06:38, Sparky said:

3000 Euro??? Ooh la la! Henceforth I shall be known as M. Le Sparky and available for travel at a moment's notice.

lol

They said they have to remove the engine to do a proper job, blah blah blah ...