Cam belt cost and time HELP!

[Aerotaz]

Hi everyone.
My first real question.

So, I've just purchased my second Surf (2nd gen SSRG) and thought I'd better get the cam belt changed. Even though I suspect it hasn't done 100k.

In fact I have no idea how much it's done. The speedo looks like it's been 'chipped', as its reading in mph and the 'K' has been melted off the facia. But I don't know for sure when this was done.. 93000 it reads, but how much is mile n kilos...? Is it accurate? Is it original?
So, I take it down the local garage, ask for JUST the belt to be changed.
'No problem' was the reply.

Just rang them up and they've gone and used a cam belt KIT. This has sent the price sky-hi. They now say they only guarentee the work if a kit is used.

Help!

[andycook]

I fitted a new genuine toyota cambelt, new tensioner and new idler pully (all from roughtrax) to my 4runner last week before I sold it to "Rax" and the parts cost £100 incl the VAT
it took me 45mins to fit it all, then 10mins to retrieve the bolt for cover i dropped down side of one of the batterys!
so i reckon an hours labour in a garage, so all in £150 maybe?

the original tensioner onthe 4runner had done 175k miles and still passed the push against wall test, the idler pully had a bit of play compared with the new one though, so worth replacing
maybe their "kit" includes the tensioner and pully? often worth replacing to be sure

[Aerotaz]

Thanks for that Andy.
I'm going down there in the morn to have words. They should have kept the tensioner, so I can check it for myself.

I'll be doing the next cam change myself...

[plumb bob]

I thought the cam belt on the 2nd gen was a little more complex than the 3rd gen?
45 mins seems very quick??

Also, I always have the idlers and tensioners done unless I know that I have had them done before, and am sure of the mileage.

If a tensioner or idler fails at speed, you'll need a new engine!

[Paul1566]

Better new than knackered.......
Did mine when i first got it and could not compress the old tensioner thought it was duff and brought
new one only to find if you compress and wait then compress again it will go back in.
My old belt looked good but the pully bearing felt dry so new and belt went on.....
Can't remember how much cus i brought belt and pulley from one place and tensioner from another.
If its done at least you know if it goes kerplunk you can take it back and get them to repair it.
If they do just the belt and the pulley goes they'll claim it was not there problem and you are stuffed.

Not sure if i am right but do they still rev the chuff out of yer motor at mot time to get emissions ?
If they do they used to ask if and when belt was last fitted.....just wondered.

[Aerotaz]

Yeah, I agree with having the tensioner and pulley done, if needed, but it's quite easy to see if they were new or not. I asked and was told they had been slung... Hmmmm.

Anyway, I had a word and he took 40 quid off the bill..!

Pays to 'enquire'..