VX Timing Belt And Front End Maintenance

[VX crazy]

Wait, was that with the parts or just for the labor? I tihnk I heard someone say they got theirs done for only $350 labor, but I can't remember. If you add up the cost of all the parts I order from Merlin, plus the serp belt and coolant, it is damn near $800 just for the stuff! So, after that painful charge to my credit card, I wasn't about to pay some unknown grease monkey to do this job. I simply HAD to do it myself. I also spent more money on additional tools I didn't have, but I like buying tools!

Bart

That was out the door everything......the dealership wanted like $1300 or something and Pampered Auto here in Austin got me a better price, believe me I was asking about prices of every part.....I did get a discount because of Tone and this shop gave all mercedes owners a discount.

[nfpgasmask]

That was out the door everything......the dealership wanted like $1300 or something and Pampered Auto here in Austin got me a better price, believe me I was asking about prices of every part.....I did get a discount because of Tone and this shop gave all mercedes owners a discount.

Yeah, I think the parts are the real cost of this maintenance. Any seasoned mechanic can probably bang this out in a day and will most likely only charge you $300-$500 for the labor. Still, I am happy about saving any money doing it myself! Plus it was fun and a tremendous learning experience. Just yesterday I was reading one of my old posts about leaking coolant and I was asking the forum where the overflow tank was located!!! So all I can say is that over the last few years I have learned A BOATLOAD about my VX and cars in general!

Bart

[slutty22]

here is a vid on you tube could prove usefull, I havent watched it in its entireity yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjhNOVl1Tcc

[kodiak]

Outstanding write up Bart! Very detailed and easy to understand, you’re a natural at technical writing.

here is a vid on you tube could prove usefull, I havent watched it in its entireity yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjhNOVl1Tcc

Man, who keeps putting deermagnets videos on YouTube?

[nfpgasmask]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Outstanding write up Bart! Very detailed and easy to understand, you’re a natural at technical writing.

Thanks, Richard! Yeah, after I figured this out, I knew I just had to do the write-up. The manual is ridiculously vague and the videos are not so great either. I mean, they make it look like a 5 minute job to remove the old belt and replace it with a new one. The video MAKES NO MENTION of the spring loaded camshaft pulleys going to 12 o'clock and I just can't believe that!

Bart

[Mark B]

Excellent write up.
I still have a way to go before my timing belt, but I am making a copy of your write up for future use.
Great job.

[pbkid]

wow...very well done!

if i ever need to do a timing belt this is definately gonna get printed out!

[nfpgasmask]

Thanks guys!!!

And hey, Ldub, I forgot to mention, I used a bunch of your rags & towels that you "gave me" with the coffin! So you helped too! There is even a photo of one of them in there!

Bart