I have a 2000 X with only 64k miles on it, but I noticed when I was replacing my A/C hoses that all of my drive belts were cracking. Finding that Nissan recommends replacing the belts at 105k miles or 72 months, I went ahead and ordered the timing belt kit from Xterraparts.com.

Link

http://www.xterraparts.com/Merchant2/mer...ode=TB-WD220599

I have looked through the excellent timing belt write ups on this forum and decided that I don't have the tools or the expertise to do the timing belt and other things on my own. I called two dealerships and one quoted me $300 to do the timing belt, then $550 to do all the belts and the water pump. The other dealership quoted me about the same price. Why is there such a jump in price for replacing parts that have to be removed and reinstalled anyway?

I am really afraid of messing up the timing belt and associated parts, so I think I'd feel more comfortable having someone with experience do this. Would I be okay going to a non-dealer mechanic to do the work even if he doesn't specialize in Nissans? Otherwise, what would be a fair price to pay to replace the items included in the kit?

I say THANK YOU in advance to all who respond. This forum has saved me tons of money already and has helped me get to know my truck better. User created forums like this and the ability to shop and save online (like with Xterraparts) are the best aspects of the internet. We plan on keeping the X for a long time and eventually turning it into our off-road rig with a SAS. Hopefully as I get better and more experienced with the truck I'll be able to contribute like so many of you!

I think they charge so much because they can and they know the averag Joe is not going to have skills and/or tools to do it. Like the cost of 30k service, which includes new diff oil and raditor flush.. $400+ when it took me about an hour and under $50 in materials.

$550 for all belts and water pump? Thats not bad for a dealer, if it included parts.

Be sure to change all hoses and all seals too. Your there, get them to do it.

That's the problem, the price is labor only. They wanted $699 for the timing belt and water pump. The extra belts and seals for $899. I just wish I could find a place that I felt confident could do the work with providing me the labor/part warranty of the dealer.

Yeah, it's BS that they'd charge so much more for the addition of the water pump when they're already all the way down to it.... but that's not how they work. They have a set time/price estimate for each job and they just charge what their price sheet says to charge.

You might get a better deal going to an independent shop...

I've been postponing the change on my daughter's 2000 X for a year. Now there's 137,807 miles on the X. Dealer here had a "special" on a timing belt change for $295. Included the belt only. Other items such as water pump, other belts, bypass hose, etc would have be $590-$650. My mechanic did the whole deal yesterday for $500 and used OEM parts.

If you know a quality mechanic that stands behind their work, then it's okay to use them. In fact, it might be preferable to some extent. Especially if you purchase the parts yourself directly from Nissan (or someone who's selling the parts at a discount - Courtesy Nissan might be an option here, not sure) or aftermarket parts that are definitively better.

I never used dealerships. Their business model is based on their service department generating a huge percentage of their revenue.

I use angieslist.com to find everyone from plumbers to roofers to daycares. It's a great site. One of my best friends is a mechanic, so I use him for everything on my Xterra, but if I didn't know him, I'd definitely look for someone on angieslist.com. It's definitely worth the subscription.

Shelley