The total estimate from the dealer was $1,361, which included the timing belt, seals, water pump, spark plugs, spark plug wires, cap, rotor, accessory belts, coolant flush, induction service, and the brakes. I did have the car tuned-up in May of 2001, and at that time they replaced the spark plugs, distributor cap, and rotor, so I know those are good.
The mechanic said he did look at the rest of it and didn’t see anything that needed replacing, so I don’t know. And a lot of this decision is up to my dad, since it’s his money. My mom already yelled at me about getting gyped by the dealer. I’m getting the sense that it’s going to be a long, nervewracking drive for me if they don’t do these things, even if nothing happens.
The other thing that worries me is that this car is 10 years old, and the timing belt and seals and stuff are original. The car came from Minnesota, so from 1992-2000, it went through Minneapolis summers and winters, though it wasn’t driven a lot (it had 32,000 miles when I got it). So I can just see some little, brittle crack in the timing belt, waiting to make it fly apart at 80 miles an hour on Interstate 24…
OK, assuming it has 60K or close to that mileage, I would recommend the timing belt, front engine seals, accessory belts, coolant flush, and whatever is found needed on the brakes. If there is any sign of leakage or roughness in the water pump, it should be replaced, but if it seems fine, there’s no compelling reason to include it. Forget the spark plugs and distributor cap. I wouldn’t worry about the plug wires unless a specific problem was found with them, but if they make it to 90K it wouldn’t be a bad idea to replace them as preventative maintenance.
It appears to me now that the dealer has recommended the complete 60K service even though portions of it (e.g. spark plugs) are not needed on your car. Unfortunately, this is typical of dealerships in my experience–they have this package of maintentance, and they sell the whole package whether or not all of it is needed in any individual case. I hate that.
It sounds like your mechanic is being straight with you, and you should be able to trust his recommendations. IF, however, he is saying he doesn’t see that you need a timing belt on this car with 60K, that’s a problem. Timing belts defy inspection. YOU REPLACE THEM WHEN THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE CALLS FOR IT. Check your owner’s manual, but my book says it’s called for at 60K on your car. (And at 10 years old, some would say it’s due timewise regardless of mileage.) If you’re being advised that you don’t need it even though it’s due on the maintenance schedule, then in my opinion that’s bad advice.
Followup: I’m getting the timing belt changed, the seals changed, the tires rotated, and the wheel bearings checked, along with everything else. K.C., here I come!