How much $$ should I expect to pay?

Isn't Rifledriver in Austin area? I don't know the cost, but I'd suggest if you wanted a shop to do it, there would be none better.

 

Wish I had an answer, but I will tell you I did mine myself and wouldnt suggest you do the same. Can be a little scary. My guess the prices will range from $1500 to $2500. Depending on how much they want to rip you off. It can easily be done in 3 hours, but you will probably be charged for at least 6 at $200 an hour. Only a guess!

 

I just got a quote for my belt service on my '84 308 QV for $1800 from a very well known F mechanic here on the Monterey peninsula. Of course there was the "while we're in there, nows the time" statement to go along with it. Which I'm totally prepared for, like water pump, tensioner bearings, along with any hoses that look suspect......... Expect to pay more, perhaps do what I did, take your car in for a pre-service inspection and get a game plan together so there are no major surprises, eliminating anything that is not important at the time. Remember the statement, "while we're in there"..........................is a good rule of thumb.

 

The costs above are inline with what I've read in the past. Obviously, the biggest cost (assuming no major parts found failing + R&R) is labor. It takes several hours to take everything apart and reassemble it. If they remove the valve covers and play with the valves, your cost is going to shoot up even more.

The timing belts and new bearings are relatively cheap, around $250 for everything I think. It's a decent idea to replace the accessory belts, as they all have to come off and aren't more than about $15-30 each. There aren't that many hoses around that area (involved in this particular service) to begin with, except 2-3 coolant hoses; many of the inaccessible ones dealing with fuel, oil, etc are on the other side of the engine or on the top. Meaning, there's just not too much "while we are in there" for hoses during a standard belt change. If any nearby hoses need R&R, obviously do it.

Check for any oil leaks running down the side of the engine from the top/camshaft areas. If dry, jump and clap. If wet, get out the checkbook and replace the seals NOW, otherwise you'll be paying for that labor alllll over again.

I don't recommend changing the water pump and thermostat just because it's easy when the belts are off. It's not a cheap part, and if you aren't having any problems and see no evidence the pump is failing (weeping, poor cooling, etc), then just leave it alone.

 

I'd be interested in hearing who you take it to and what the outcome is. I'm a future Ferrari owner just gathering information at this stage - and I'm based in Austin, so your choice may help me choose in future.

 

Attempted to contact Brian? What was the problem? He's right in your area, isn't he? He's the one I would want to do it...

 

I will chime in and say that the above post sounds like my major but once my mechanic got in there he also found out that I had engine oil leaking into my gearbox, my valves were way out of adjustment and an ECU box wasn't right. My water pump was squealing too.

Mine was $5,000 and change but by the breakdown of work done and hours I didn't think thgat I was ripped-off. Wasn't happy counting out 5G's either but that's the price of fame

 

Just belts and tensioners is a grand. Hard to get just that much more expensive than +/- $1000.

But like many have already stated, it never is that simple.

 

Great! If it wasn't for me doing all my own work, I would love
for him to work on my car, even if we don't always see eye to eye...Hehehehe...didn't know he has a website...what is it?

 

hillcountryferrari.com/

 

Changing timing belts is not a 3 hour job, and even 6 is probably a stretch for someone who has done it several times before. Evacuating/removing the a/c compressor and studs holding the 5-8 belt cover takes a while. Additionally, just changing the belts minus removing the valve covers does not provide the advantage of checking cam timing, which I swear on every one of these I've done has been off a good amount. I only recommend changing the belts minus removing the valve covers if one is absolutely certain the cam timing is correct. Long-term owners having them historically serviced with good mechanics usually know best, but even then it's not unheard of to see a cog jump a tooth and not be fully aware of it.

 

You are correct! If you read my post, I referred to changing the belts only...as I stated!!! All the extras go up to that $2500 mark and more...been there, done this on my own on numerous occasions! If a cog is skipped...its an amateur! Completely unacceptable!

 

Any well known F mechanic will do the tensioner bearings every time and not as a while we are in there part that may be more. Unless he is well known for doing things half way. Belts and bearings go together in any belt service.

 

In Chicago, I paid $1800 with water pump at a non Ferrari Dealer that specialized in German and Italian cars.