Car Repair, am i being ripped off?

youthacademy

Hi all,

I drive a Renault Laguna from the late 90's, abouth 100k miles on it.
theres been a lot screeching noise from under the hood the last few days. I do alot of driving and need to get this fixed but do not know much about mechanics of a car.

So i dropped the car into a garage and to my suprise i got a quote of 460euro which seems alot to me, i know the timing belt has to be replaced, they also mentioned 'rollers' and 'timing belt kit'.

given that this is the problem is this an outrageous price?
is the only solution to ask for at itemised bill and decipher then is it worth whats being asked?

Cheers,
youthacademy

alias no.9

Timing belt / tensioner / idler pulley sounds consistent with the problem you describe. I wouldn't drive the car anywhere if I were you, but ring around a few garages and get quotes for a timing belt change on your car (including the tensioner, idler, etc...).

Edit... Labour will account for more than half the cost of this.

Anan1

I don't think the screeching was caused by the timing belt, more likely the alternator belt. If it was due a timing belt too, though, I don't think that price is too outrageous to replacing alternator belt, timing belt, bearings, and water pump (make sure this is included). Is a service included in this too?

BrianD3

That is a good price especially if the engine is a 16 valve and if the water pump
is included.

If you're in Dublin, pop into Liffey Valley Renault service reception you'll see what they charge for a belt kit change on a Laguna (prices are up on the wall, IIRC it's over 700 for the work)

Saab Ed

BrianD3 wrote: »

That is a good price especially if the engine is a 16 valve and if the water pump
is included.

If you're in Dublin, pop into Liffey Valley Renault service reception you'll see what they charge for a belt kit change on a Laguna (prices are up on the wall, IIRC it's over 700 for the work)

+1

And do it quick or it will be a lot more...

L-M

+1 on getting it done.

Friend of mine now has a redunant late 90's Laguna sitting in the drive with a snapped belt.

alias no.9

Anan1 wrote: »

I don't think the screeching was caused by the timing belt, more likely the alternator belt. If it was due a timing belt too, though, I don't think that price is too outrageous to replacing alternator belt, timing belt, bearings, and water pump (make sure this is included). Is a service included in this too?

Could be the tensioner or idler pulley for the timing belt on the way out.

Darragh29

Anan1 wrote: »

I don't think the screeching was caused by the timing belt, more likely the alternator belt. If it was due a timing belt too, though, I don't think that price is too outrageous to replacing alternator belt, timing belt, bearings, and water pump (make sure this is included). Is a service included in this too?

I was thinking this myself.

Nonoperational

Timing belt change with the full kit (ie tensioners etc) ifor 460 is probably ok as said already. But ask them the exact cause of the screeching. It seems unlikely the timing belt is the cause, if it was that bad it'd probably have slipped a tooth or the tensioner seized and youd be in trouble. Mose likely the "fan" belt or tensioner.