can we manage this?

jodie114

I Have been advised that the timing belt is starting to go on my 04 hyundai trajet.
its a 2.0l DOHC, but when we have looked at prices at garages, they are quoting over £300:eek:

can a fairly competent, but not confident lay person do this?
oh, and is that likely that it really needs changing, or a ploy from the garage? its done 45,000.
thanks

AdrianHi

Have a look here, you need to sign up if you want access to the documents for a DIY guide:
http://www.hyundai-forums.com/t11157-timing-belt.htm

By the book, inspection at 60K miles, change by 90K miles thought some seem to replace them at 50K-60K miles.

If you feel confident doing it yourself go for it, otherwise £300 is a small price to pay to avert engine disaster and not a lot of money compared to the total cost of ownership which is £1,000's per year.

Hintza

Hmm, I might have done it in my youth! Not so sure now. Half the problem might be any specialised tools so do your research before you start.

I would have hoped that a good independant garage should be able to get the price down a bit.

Also remember to do all plastic pulleys etc and possibly the water pump too if that is integral to the cambelt set up.

Cambelsts never seem to last the supposed mileage but you could quite easily get another 45,000 miles if you are lucky. But the cost if it goes could be over £2,000.If I was you I would get it done.

iolanthe07

I would want to replace the cam belt on a five year old car anyway regardless of the mileage. Make sure you know exactly what you are doing before you attempt it yourself, though, as failure can be very expensive indeed if the pistons hit the valves.

violetta

As it is a 2004 car, do you happen to still be within the Hyundai 5 year warranty?

This article mentions that timing belts are part of the warranty cover:

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/28839/hyundai_launches_fiveyear_warranty.html

Ebe_Scrooge

£300 is not too bad for a timing belt - it depends very much on the car as to what's involved. At 45K miles it's probably worth doing anyway. If it snaps, you're looking at big money - potentially it can be a new engine job, but at the very least you'll be looking probably at around £1000 or so.

The annoying thing is that the belts themselves are a few quid, it's the labour that costs. I don't know about your car specifically, but usually it's wise to get the water pump replaced at the same time - same thing, the parts are peanuts but it's a lot of labour, so makes sense to change it whilst you're in that area.

As to doing it yourself - yes you can, but it ain't easy. If you're pretty familiar with looking after your own car, and have got the right tools, then it's do-able - allow yourself plenty of time ( at least a day I would think ). And make sure you check and double-check everything - if the timing is out you'll wreck the engine. But if you can do it yourself you'll save a lot - as I said, it's the labour that costs when a garage does it.

goldspanners

i think the fact that you are asking the question would suggest you should let the gargage do it.
if the timing belt snaps then your engine is a write off,is your car worth more than £300? if so change the belt.
£300 from a main dealer isnt too bad to be honest.
try a local independant garage you might find they could do it for almost half the price.
a belt doesnt really "start to go" it needs changing before then,because if it does it then your will be looking at a much higher bill.

hartcjhart

I am fairly competent at most car servicing,BUT would not even consider attempting a belt change,far too many things that can very easily go wrong when taking the old one off and putting the new one on,

agree with 'Goldy; shop around at local garages

hewhoisnotintheknow

starting to go?!!

that would cause me to panic and not drive it until it was repaired

hundredk

jodie114 wrote: »

I Have been advised that the timing belt is starting to go on my 04 hyundai trajet.
its a 2.0l DOHC, but when we have looked at prices at garages, they are quoting over £300:eek:

can a fairly competent, but not confident lay person do this?
oh, and is that likely that it really needs changing, or a ploy from the garage? its done 45,000.
thanks

Fairly competent, not confident and feel the need to ask....let the garage do it. Lots to go wrong, might need special tools and if you get the timing wrong you'll need to be more than competent to fix. Garage will probably guarantee for a year and £300 for a cam belt is about right.

swiftnick

jodie114 wrote: »

I Have been advised that the timing belt is starting to go on my 04 hyundai trajet.
its a 2.0l DOHC, but when we have looked at prices at garages, they are quoting over £300:eek:

can a fairly competent, but not confident lay person do this?
oh, and is that likely that it really needs changing, or a ploy from the garage? its done 45,000.
thanks

Ok, so you say your'e fairly competent twisting spanners


1. Do you understand the basic principles of valve timing?

2. Have you or can you get your hands on a repair sheet? (if not I may be able to help)

3. Answer yes to both and I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do it.

Nick