Why do garages charge so much for cambelt changes?

[dom]

Ok - it's borderline diy - but I've done cambelt changes on several vehicles and it's not that difficult or time consuming - so why do garages charge so much?

[Grunff]

How much is "so much"?

FWIW, I've done belts on a few cars, and I've found it quite variable. Some cars it's a 2 hour job, others it's more like 5 hours.

[Andy Hall]

Why does a dog lick its bollocks?

[meow2222]

Businesses sometimes charge not on work but perceived work. Cam belt replacement is something 99% of the population is too scared to do, hence the price.

There is also the fact that one mistake and it can be bye bye engine, so that risk cost gets distributed over all jobs.

NT

[Dave Plowman (News)]

How long is a piece of string? On some cars the engine has to come out to change the belt. With others it's recommended you change other things - perhaps water pump - at the same time.

But you could always buy a BMW - they abandoned cambelts about 15 years ago and rightly so. A cambelt only makes some sense if it is nearly as easy to change as a fan belt - as it was on the first engines using them.

[Frank Erskine]

Because people are prepared to pay.

If it's an easy and quick job, then do it yourself. A garage exists to make a profit and will charge what people are prepared to pay. As well as the wages paid to the mechanic there are overheads such as NI contributions, premises rates/rent, energy costs, general things like publicity (advertising etc.) and the profit element.

Consider your cambelt change - doing it yourself you still have to decide on/order the correct replacement - this all takes time/effort.

Actually it's quite straightforward - you agree a price with your 'supplier'. If you aren't happy, go elsewhere.

[Mark]

But have you ever done one on a modern transverse twin cam engine, or for instance a 1.9 Pug diesel where you may also need to change both idler wheels. which is 3.9 hours +parts =£340 is that so much?

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[dom]

Yes, the "distributed risk" argument was the main one I was considering.

Nowadays most dealerships quote prices based on manufacturers recommended times from the service manuals I believe. On the whole, these work out "expensive but fair", i.e. they aren't loading prices in any particular area.

The point about "other parts swapped with cambelts" is also a good one

- and probably a differentiator between some garages.

The underlying diy theme here, is that I'd normally do these jobs myself - on the basis that a) I drive old vans, and if it dies, it dies, and b) I can't bear to spend money on something I can do myself.

However having bought something slightly newer, it might be nice to have everything dealer-fixed, and have a no hassles vehicle for a while.

I guess in the main I was looking for you people to talk me out of diy- ing it for once!

[Edward W. Thompson]

Snip

If you think having a DEaler work on your car will not cause hassles, I think you have a good chance of being disappointed.

[zikkimalambo]

If you want a hassle free life, stay away from main dealers.

[adder1969]

yes of course, taking things to the dealer brings total peace of mind..... :-|

[Steve Firth]

And caught up with manufacturers who never used them.

[meow2222]

lol. Poor Dom is dreaming of a simpler easier life. If you screw up yourself, you just get on and fix it. If a dealer screws up, lordy its one royal pita.

NT

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Manufacturers of a similar range of cars? Rolls Royce never used them it's true.

[Grunff]

Saab never used them, until GM bought them that is (at which point they were Saab in name only).

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Heh heh. The SAAB engine - loosely based on the old Triumph unit - has a reputation for breaking timing chains. Happened to a pal of mine. So more than loosely based on the Triumph unit. ;-)

[Steve Firth]

And AFAIK Nissan shunned them.

[Grunff]

You have got to be joking - I have a lot of experience with 900s and

9000s, and the only time I've ever seen a broken chain was hen the oil had not been changed in (guess) 50k miles and had turned into a thick gunge. The chain was running completely dry, as was the rest of the engine.

Heh - the Saab chain is a duplex chain of course...

[Steve Firth]

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I'm not saying it's a common occurrence - like broken belts - but seems to be more common than the average.

Indeed.