I have a 1997 Rodeo (Auto, 4WD, 3.2L, AC) and recently had to replace
the fuel pump. I was under the impression that labor would cost $60/
hour and it ended up costing $90 per hour (nope, there was nowritten
estimate).

Anyway, the final bill ws $518. I was wondering if you folks think that's
high or not. I do live on the Big Island of Hawaii, so things arre a little bit
more expensive here -- about as much as in LA.

The vehicle has $100,000 miles on it and the timing belt had been
changed at 70,000. I considered having that changed because of the
labor consideration, but the mchanic said the belt itself was fine.

But he did say a part that places proper tension was too loose and that it
should be replaced. The part, however, was not in stock on the island and
needed to be shipped from the mainland. As it's my only vehicle, I
couldn't spend more on freight, the part and the rental I was driving. So I
had him skip it. The belt doesn't seem loose, but I' don't know much
about cars, either.

Should that tension part have been replaced at 70K, too? Is it common for
those to go out.

Thanks and bests!

 

The tensioner is the most common part to fail. That is normally the main thing to cause ppl to replace the timing belts. Usual procedure is to replace the belt, tensioner, and water pump all at the same time since its all about the same amount of labor. The 3.2l engines are non interferance fit engines so if the belt breaks its doesnt destroy the engine, so most ppl change them around 100-120k miles. If the tensioner goes bad it usually makes knocking sound which is very similar to a rod knock.

$500-700 is about the usual range to have all 3 parts replaced at the same time. Some ppl also opt to have the cam shaft and crank shaft front main seals replaced at the same time while everything is apart.

 

I agree, Gizmo is dead on, boy we think alike dont we[img]smileys/smiley2.gif[/img]. I think you are getting charged a bit higher than mainland, but I wouldn't say you were getting ripped off. Edited by: Keefbikes

 

Hey, thanks a lot for the replies guys. Appreciate it.