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I need to have the timing belt replaced on my Honda (as well as the the water pump, tensioner, idle pulleys, etc.). Before I moved to Durham (from a place with a higher cost of living than Durham), I got a few estimates for about $500 for all that work. I ended up not having time to do it before I moved. Now I'm calling auto shops in Durham for estimates and they're all saying about $700-$800. Am I right in thinking this is too much? Is it possible I'm getting higher estimates because I'm female?
Also, recently my check engine light has been going on and off. When it's on, the car has trouble shifting gears so I think I need to get the transmission fluid replaced, but I'm not sure. How much should it cost to have them diagnose this issue and/or to replace the transmission fluid?
I would guess book time on that job (not knowing what kind of Honda) is around 5 hours. At even $80/hr you're talking $400 in labor alone. Parts aren't cheap. Sounds like those prices are right on.
I would pull the code for the CEL. Old transmission fluid doesn't make a CEL come on. You can get the code read for free at Autozone, then find a car forum specific to your car and post your question and CEL there.
$700-$800 for a timing belt and water pump sounds in line with what I have paid in the past (I'm a guy). I would have jumped at the chance to get it all done for $500. That sounds super cheap!
I bet all the $500 dollar estimates were just that, estimates. After they got your car apart they would have called you and said its really gonna be about $800, what do you want us to fix and not fix to keep the price at $500.
My husband just replaced the timing belt on his 1994 Honda Civic. He did it with his mechanic buddy. Parts were about $200 after they discovered some other belts needed to be replaced as well. It took them over six hours to get everything done. With the Hondas it's not as easy to replace the timing belt because of the way Honda fit all the parts under the hood with the older models. When my husband got home he said he now completely understands why he was getting estimates of $700+ dollars for the work.
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