I wanted to say thanks for the comment yesterday about my truck. It's very cool to hear opinions from readers of the blog whether mechanics, tour guides, home repair, docs etc...The timing belt broke in my pickup yesterday. Max called and says they are also replacing the water pump and flushing it out. apparently there has been some leaking of water and that might have been near the timing belt etc etc. also they're replacing a "serpentine belt" whatever that is. ha. So yeah I said go right through with it, they are also doing an oil change which I'm overdue. also asked them to check the plugs and wires.. ouch. My ball joints are still worn out and need to be replaced the front end. they want another $800 for that, which I told 'em I'd have to wait for a few more paychecks on that one. BLAH.
ok well that's my truck update. now I got my buddy S picking me up from school tonight I just need to find a ride there, all my local car rental places had no cars until after 5pm today. go figure. :)
7 comments:
Dan,
Beats the heck out of a car payment!
Did you have them change the blinker fluid?
Really sorry about your truck. I'm probably next in line for a similar disaster.
The serpentine belt is the rubber band that runs all over the place under the hot -- the modern version of what used to be the simple "fan belt" in cars built a few decades ago. Now it has to run not only the fan (and alternator, which is nothing new) but also the air conditioning and various anti-pollution gizmos. Or so I assume. I have pretty much given up working on cars since they got taken over by computers.
Make that "under the HOOD," not "hot." I think I might have been distracted by some of your pictures further down on the blog.
Dan,
I didn't think about the your truck having a timing belt, but those are common on small engines especially on cars. Full size trucks have timing chains instead.
The price sounds a little high to me. It is common to charge about $250-$300 to change a timing belt and then extra for the water pump. The water pump for your truck should be $50-70 for the part at a parts store, and then not more than one hour extra labor on top of the timing belt (actually 30 min extra is plenty). It only requires them to remove several extra bolts and a few hose clamps. Ask them to use new hose clamps, the factory ones are spring clamps and seem to lose clamping pressure when they are removed, which = leaks. The new clamps tighten with a screw, cost 50 cents a piece, and last forever.
For the next few weeks check your antifreeze\water level every few days to make sure you have no leaks. Look at the fluid level in your overflow container (the clear plastic container where you add antifreez, should have a full and add fluid line) when the engine is hot and cold making sure the level is within the full and add fluid margin. Common leak points are the hose clamps as mentioned above, and where the water pump is mounted (not enough silicone sealer used, or bolts need re-tightened after engine heats and cools).
Last, if there is time ask your mechanic to put on a Goodyear Gatorback serpentine belt. For your truck it should cost about $40 at the parts store. Also, if the shop tries to charge you extra labor for changing the belt, you should refuse the charge because they have to remove the old belt to get to the timing belt and water pump anyway. In otehr words, the removal and replacement of the serpentine belt is accounted for in the labor to change the timing belt.
Change your timing belt at about every 75K as regular maintenance, don't drive it until it breaks, it can cause internal engine damage.
96 Ranger, 273,000 miles. Runs well. So I would say, get yours fixed.
hey anonymous @ 10:07pm...have u ever thought of doing a blog on cars/trucks for auto dummies like me??? fortunately i have a mechanic i trust...but i bet there are a LOT of guys who would love a blog like that. i'd be ur first "follower!"
cheers!
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