Timing Belt DIY - How Long Did it Take You?

[suprarx7nut]

I'm debating starting my timing belt job tomorrow morning. I want to get it done in one day, maybe a little bleed over into day 2. I've got a lift, air compressor, impact gun, air tools, all parts on hand, etc...

Do I stand a chance at getting it done in 8 hours? How long did it take you on the 2UZ?

Thanks for the insight!

 

[LockedCollector]

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

 

[Ohthetrees]

I did it in one day. My experience level: First timing belt on this engine, 2nd timing belt ever.

 

[duggy]

It can be done in a day, but budget 1.5 days for your first time. You'll be referencing the FAQ thread and also scratching your head about the timing marks on the cams, crank, and belt.

 

[elk]

It took me 11 hours the first time, and only 5 hours the second. I actually had to do it twice in the same weekend but that is a long story. Take your time, prep your materials and workspace beforehand and you will do fine.

 

[aljollano]

It took me 10 hours with interruptions.
My advice: do it alone ( there is no room for two people), work organized.

A.J

 

[DuckLN]

I bot all the parts and paid a professional labor only and it was about $450. That included replacing radiator, cam seals, and fan clutch and water pump.

I'm slow on stuff and it would have taken a weekend or more so i paid up.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Thanks everyone. I decided to do it after HIH. It sounds like I'd be lucky to get it done in under 8 hours and I'd prefer to be able to take my time and be sure everything is just right.

Instead of the timing belt, I'll spend some time doing HIH prep!

 

[flintknapper]

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Not really.

'Slow is Slow'......period.

As for "smooth", well that comes with experience (usually).

The ultimate goal: Be fast AND smooth.


What is good advice for the pistol range doesn't necessarily carry over into automotive work.

 

[mclayton7]

It's also worth noting, when I did my TB/water pump, I ran the crankshaft position sensor wiring harness wrong, and over a couple thousand miles, the crankshaft pulley wore through the insulation on the wires, causing intermittent shorts. These shorts causes misfires and eventually I stalled out and was stranded. The dealer was able to find the problem and fix it for $600.00 in labor, and $4.00 in parts.

The moral of the story is to go slow, take pictures, and do it right the first time

 

[LockedCollector]

Ok, then let me rephrase. Take your time and don't rush it. I allowed myself to walk away from it during the high-stress points....and there will be some. I am ok sharing that it took me ~18 hours (no consecutively though) but not one single clip broken, not one misplaced bolt/nut. Everything nicely buttoned up. Only thing I had to go back to is retighten a couple of hose clamps. Done and done, do it once do it right....with the help of Mud resources of course. Doing this type of work in the shop/garage may give you this flexibility, very different scenario than wrenching in the field.

 

[Layonnn]

About 5 days.
Mostly due to the fact I was doing a lot of cleaning, valve cover gasket leak got Cruz everywhere.
If I were just doing the timing belt, could probably have it done in 5-7 hours.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Ok, then let me rephrase. Take your time and don't rush it. I allowed myself to walk away from it during the high-stress points....and there will be some. I am ok sharing that it took me ~18 hours (no consecutively though) but not one single clip broken, not one misplaced bolt/nut. Everything nicely buttoned up. Only thing I had to go back to is retighten a couple of hose clamps. Done and done, do it once do it right....with the help of Mud resources of course. Doing this type of work in the shop/garage may give you this flexibility, very different scenario than wrenching in the field.

About 5 days.
Mostly due to the fact I was doing a lot of cleaning, valve cover gasket leak got Cruz everywhere.
If I were just doing the timing belt, could probably have it done in 5-7 hours.

I tend to fall into this category even when I'm trying to hurry. I have some OCD problem with putting dirty parts back on a car so stuff just takes me longer or I get some odd dissatisfaction with the job when it's all together and looks as dirty as when I started.

Seeing the updated poll results I think it's safe to assume it'll take me 10 hours, haha.

 

[KCErnest]

Going on 6 months now...alllllmost got 'er...

I put her in the garage and took about three hours getting it taken down to the removal of the crank pulley then started another project and another and well have kind of forgotten about it until yesterday. This thread is very timely, gonna hopefully get cranking on this in the morning as well as some rust remediation and a couple other things.

 

[AMGAndrew]

I took a slow, methodical 8 hours spread over 2 days. Didn't label anything but just laid everything out in a logical order and did just fine. Never did a TB before but I have done a couple R&R on a FD RX7 engine rebuild and would rank it along the same level. Not terribly complicated but just timely. It's all just nuts and bolts.

Buy lots of brake clean.