2011 Fiesta cambelt & waterpump- £540

[blade7]

Could probably do it myself, but didn't fancy buying the VVT cam locking tools for one job. Job was £430 earlier this year, but they reckon they weren't making any money on that, so now it's £540 . So retail, Gates belt/waterpump kit=Under £100, some coolant =£20, ancillary belts= £20. + £400 for a job that would take 2-3 hours tops. Maybe Ford need the money to cover all their Focus RS and 3 cylinder bodges.

[blade7]

Limpet said:

Is this a Ford dealer? If so, it's about what I'd expect given main dealer labour is generally over £100+VAT an hour.

You don't mention which engine you have, but I reckon you'd knock about £200 off that price by using an independent garage and there would be no difference in the quality of the job.

It's a 1.6 petrol Zetec. This price was direct from Ford customer service, and an indy is £150 cheaper. I've done DOHC cambelts in the past, but it being VVT means you have to lock the crank and cam pulleys.

Edited by blade7 on Friday 19th April 01:23

[blade7]

MDMA . said:

Maybe Ford have slightly higher overheads than you. How many staff do you have again?

I don't recall introducing the subject of my overheads, or staff?

[blade7]

northwestrecovery said:

I have the tool if you are near Liverpool , or paint the cam pulleys and head as timing marks and its the same crank pin as normal zetec .

Thanks for the offer, but I'm miles away. These are the tools required.

[blade7]

Just to update this, I bought the Gates kit plus special tools and did the job myself. Although it was a bit of a faff, I still think the main dealer is taking the piss at £500+.

[blade7]

Touring442 said:

I did the belt and pump on a 59 plate 1250 (Yamaha design) Fester a while back, was simple enough.

Did you have to lock the crank at TDC via the flywheel on that engine?

[blade7]

A1VDY said:

One of the easiest belts to change.
No special tools needed just a bottle of tippex.
On some zetecs the belt doesn't drive the water pump but.. to change the pump possibly at a later date means the belt has to be removed to get to the rear most pump bolt so may as well be done at cambelt change anyway.
Local workshop I use for all my trade cars £200 Inc the kit.
Most likely £260 retail.

Ford wanted £540, and 3 Indys £400. Maybe your workshop spins the crank stretch bolt off and back on with an impact gun, without locking the crank. My crank pulley isn't keyed onto the crank, I preferred to lock the crank. The tool to lock the vvt cam pulleys is cheap, so I wasn't interested in faffing around with tipex either.

[blade7]

Robmarriott said:

You'd be surprised...

If fitters earnings are still bonus and private work driven, nothing would surprise me.