Well, ladies and gents, I have a tiny problem. It isn't that it is a bad thing, but I can't really make up my mind.

Here goes:

This week, I am having my timing belt changed on my Max. 94 GXE. She has 137,000 miles on her and has never had the belt replaced or even had a tune up performed on her. I bought her in 97 when she had 24,000 miles on her. I live about 25 miles from where I work and I since I am in grad school now, I average about 500 miles per week.

When I was an undergraduate, I never had any money to treat my car to the finer things in life. Since I have quite a bit of change saved up, I am getting her pampered.

Well, I went to a local mechanic who is very reputable and had quotes given to me regarding the timing belt change and tune up. Well, his response totaled almost $900. This is outrageous. After negotiating with him, he agreed to charge me the same labor and allow me to buy the parts for everything from Courtesy. Well, to get to the point, the labor is going to run me $340.80. The parts (from Courtesy) are going to total $299.45. This = $640.25.

My concern is this. I can save $96 in labor by doing the tune-up myself. I am fairly mechanically capable. The parts for the tune-up costs $105 (Spark Plugs, Wires, Distributor Cap & Rotor, And Fuel Filter).
Questions:1.) How difficult is it to change the back spark plugs? 2.) How difficult is it to change the fuel filter? 3.) Cables? 4.) Distributor Cap & Rotor?

I am not going to even bother doing the iming belt change myself. I am having the water pump, tensioner, timing belt, thermostat, and all other belts changed at the same time. I am trying to get the mechanic to cut me a deal on the labor since it is all right there together.

Since I plan on getting another Max in January. Anniversary Edition, should I bother paying this much for all of these repairs?

I will still keep my baby for my daily driver so I know that some of this needs to be done: TIMING BELT! But how difficult is it to do the tune-up for myself?

I have the Haynes manual but it also covers the 95 Maxima and some things aren't the same. Does anyone have better instructions or a writeup that is easier to understand?

Thanks in advance.

 

well you are on the right track...plugs, plug wires, fuel filter and cap and rotor shouldn't take you more than an hour to change...VERY simple...take off old and put on new

i am diving into the same project with the t-belt, h2o pump etc., still debating if im gonna do it myself or have the dealer do the labor

 

Shop around for better labor prices. I had mine done recently for $300 something including parts (didn't know anything about the tensioner though). Previous owner had a timing belt job done 5k-10k or so miles prior. I had to do it because of the water pump (long story posted previously).

 

Well, I am having the T-belt, water pump, tensioner, thermostat, and drive belts replaced next Friday. I am paying $185 for the labor and I am buying the parts from Courtesy.

I think that I have also changed my mind about buying a new Max. I have heard horror stories about paint problems and suspension problems. I love my current car and I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. I think I will just pamper her and drive her until the wheels and doors fall off.