As someone with limited income, I have a question about timing belts.
I know changing your timing belt is a big deal as, with most engines, if it breaks, there goes your engine.
But...having limited income, I can't afford to have the timing belts replaced at a shop. With labor in my area upwards of $120/hour and the complexity of changing the timing belts on my vehicles, I'd go bankrupt paying for just one.
Sadly, I don't have a garage or any area where I could do the work myself, except outside, and in Western NY, the weather is about to drop off for the next 6 months.
Any thoughts/comments about this?
I have a 2008 Subaru Forester, a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe, a 2004 Honda CRV, and a 2005 Dodge Dakota.
Thanks for any help or ideas and keep up the great videos!
I think someone told me Subarus are about $1000 to change the belt (at least it was on the older ones --- ~2003 era).
I think for Honda's it's probably less, like $500.
Not sure on the other two. But at the same time, a timing belt is something you usually do every 60,000 miles or so, so it's every few years you'll probably have to do one. Just get them done if they need it. It will be more costly if you don't (ie. you'll likely need a new engine, especially on the CR-V, if the belt breaks).
Timing belts (especially on interference engines) are something you don't want to screw up. Because if the timing is remotely off, you could bend things like the valves. If you're not experienced at replacing them, I would just suck it up and pay someone who does know how to do it. Because if you get it wrong, you may be looking at a new/rebuilt engine. If you have the three vehicles, maybe do one at a time. Although I think your Dodge Dakota has a timing chain. Not sure on the Hyundai.
