What should be a reasonable labor cost from an independent shop for a starter replacement? Just the labor since I bought a reman OEM starter for $120. Much thanks
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x2. Everything Paul said is on point. Not too many people I would trust to do starter replacement...Also you need a shop that really takes "precaution". Good luck finding one!
But if you play your cards right, use the mechanic for other smaller jobs first, learn his personality, attention to detail, patience with customers playing their cards right like me, find out how fair his previous pricing is, maybe give a little extra when you think its fair, etc..... You can get steals of deals like I do. I did mention it was less expensive than most. And my guy did an excellent job cleaning surfaces and covering intake ports. He actually shows me the book hours then charges much less based on actual time. Just an honest guy in every way and believe me....I'm looking and listening.If someone offer to do this job today, for $200 dollars, I'd run away!
All and all is this a job rookies out there should consider doing? It seems pretty straight forward and no special skills/tools are needed other than some time and precaution to keep everything clean. This would ensure the job gets done right.
I’m in Los Angeles so at 4-6 hours we’re talking up to $700. Ouch.
Any recommended, ie, good valueLC/LX shops in the LA/Orange County area?
I also need to do the timing belt. Would a shop charge less doing the starter and timing belt together (compared to doing them at separate times)?
I know these are both significant work, but doable by diy’ers so I may have to block off a long weekend (or few) to keep some change in the pocket!
Thanks all.
To me, replacing the starter seemed way easier than replacing the timing belt. It will take you 1/2 a leisurely day and the only specialty tool needed is a torque wrench.All and all is this a job rookies out there should consider doing? It seems pretty straight forward and no special skills/tools are needed other than some time and precaution to keep everything clean. This would ensure the job gets done right.
I’m in Los Angeles so at 4-6 hours we’re talking up to $700. Ouch.
Any recommended, ie, good valueLC/LX shops in the LA/Orange County area?
I also need to do the timing belt. Would a shop charge less doing the starter and timing belt together (compared to doing them at separate times)?
I know these are both significant work, but doable by diy’ers so I may have to block off a long weekend (or few) to keep some change in the pocket!
Thanks all.
This job is doable but I am not sure whay you mean by rookies. If you are an advance rookie then yes. The hardest part of this whole exercise is getting and putting back the rear bolts out from the starter between the engine and firewall. There is very little space. This was a pita. You have to get up and on the engine and twist yourself in ways not designed for most men. Lol. Besides this the rest of the stuff is very doable.All and all is this a job rookies out there should consider doing? It seems pretty straight forward and no special skills/tools are needed other than some time and precaution to keep everything clean. This would ensure the job gets done right.
I decided to replace the starter myself. The major auto shop in my neighborhood quoted labor cost of $560 for the starter and $630 for the timing belt and water pump. But I like getting to know my car more intimately.
The starter replacement took about 5 hours (not counting the beer and lunch breaks) and I am just an intermediate diy’er. That includes 30 minutes of fishing for a dropped socket. Doh.
That $630 labor quote for the timing belt and water pump sure sounds tempting though!
Good job on the starter, and I’d say if you felt comfortable doing that, step up and do the timing belt yourself. The money saved is secondary to having the experience under your belt and knowing the engine better. There’s a lot of videos that show the entire process on a 2UZ, follow those and have at it!I decided to replace the starter myself. The major auto shop in my neighborhood quoted labor cost of $560 for the starter and $630 for the timing belt and water pump. But I like getting to know my car more intimately.
The starter replacement took about 5 hours (not counting the beer and lunch breaks) and I am just an intermediate diy’er. That includes 30 minutes of fishing for a dropped socket. Doh.
That $630 labor quote for the timing belt and water pump sure sounds tempting though!