My first repair bill..... timing belt

[James84-944]

Well I finally did it. I spent my first "after-sale" $$$ on my 944. I have had it 6 weeks and could not find any record of when the timing belt had last been changed. After listening to you more experienced guys about potential problems, I decided to be safe and get it replaced. Just as a comparison here are my costs:
(done in Canada, so I will give rough US as well)

LABOUR
Timing Belt&Gears (3 hrs) $165 cdn 110 US
Total Car check over(1.5hrs) $82.50 cdn 55 US
Aim Headlights FREE

PARTS
Timing Belt $64 cdn $42 US
Balance Belt $56 cdn $37 US
Timing Adjuster $ 56 cdn $37 US
Balance Adjuster $54 cdn $ 36 US

Total Car Check over:
-Compression - right on the money
-tires - fine
-brakes - good
-suspension - good
-exhaust system - good
-hoses/cables etc - all fine
-idle set too slow (duh)
-both front tires had left small rub marks on the rear of the wheel wells. Turns out both front and rear bushings are shot(will do next week, cost parts $100cdn + 2 hrs labour)
- all electronics working
- window washer running very slow
- both power windows run very slow
- power antenna will not go up or down

Any thoughts on costs and the overall picture?

thx for you input

James

[mlue]

Hi James, the labour rates are pretty good and even better if you convert to US$, next time if you buy your parts from Pelican Parts in advance you could save even more $$$.

Sounds like you're set for summer.

Mark
86' 944NA

[James84-944]

I ordered several small parts from Pelican last week, including a new hood crest (cool) and got them here fine. The problem is that the parts were $67us + $9 shipping total $76US. It got stopped at a brokers were it was valued at $118 cdn. To this they then charged a broker/handling fee of $54cdn. so my "cheap" parts cost me $172 cdn (OUCH) for:
(1) new hood crest
(1) carpet clip
(1) rear wiper blade (wrong one)
(2) upper seat belt harness clips
(1) sunvisor clip

Great service but I can't afford the broker fees at 50% of the cost.

[marksportcts]

James, I live in the Vancouver area, about 15 minutes from the border. I get everything I buy shipped to a US shipping warehouse where I pick them up and bring it over the border myself. Saves alot.

[asidrave]

James, could you have returned the items and not get charged the extra fees? that is an outrageous price for the items. Wayne, help him out