Hi, I have been quoted $510 to replace my timing belt and a broken tensioner. It is a 96 Millenia 2.5L. I'm wondering if this is a reasonable price? Thanks.

510...

You should ask for a breakdown in labor and parts.

I think the reason why it is so much is because the aprt is like $300, sinc only mazda makes the parts.

I have an S and had the same problem. For me it was cheaper just to get a tensioner from a juk yard and replace it.

i saved enogh money to be able to do it 3x times if necessary since tensioners are hit or miss

You can get away with replacing the bearing instead of the entire pully. Just have it removed from the car and drive it out of the centre of the pully with a socket about the same size as the bearing. Take it to an industrial parts store where they sell various size bearings and they can match it up. Any mechanic can do this easily.

Just did mine for less than 100.00 labour included. You can get away with replacing the bearing (About 10.00)instead of the entire pully. Just remove the pully and drive the bearing out of the centre of the pully with a socket about the same size as the bearing. Take it to an industrial parts store where they sell various size bearings and they can match it up. Any mechanic can do this easily.

The breakdown of parts and labor:

Timing belt and tensioner - $240
Coolant - $10
Labor - 4 hrs @ 65 = $260

I just saw the posts about replacing the bearing. The only thing w/ my car is that the tensioner has broken off I guess and the timing belt is rattling. I can hear it when I start the car but once the RPM hits 2000 or over it's normal again. Can I still do what you suggested? I'm driving a friend's now cos I'm still in college and need to save up to fix this if it's gonna cost $510! Thanks.

It doesn't take 4 hours to do such a simple task! Maybe 1`1/2 tops if it is a novice doit your selfer. A trained mechanic could do it in 30 mins without rushing. Sounds like a sour deal. It does just sound like a bearing problem. When the bearing wears out it will show the symptoms you are having. The timing belt tensioner is $194 at NAPA. But you could just replace the bearing. The car wouldn't start if the tensioner was "broken". Even if it managed to do so....impossible...it would grind and shut off in a sec. if your lucky. Buy a manual and do it yourself. You will save a bundle. I replaced it myself in 45 mins. without a manual. Hope this helps.

I don't think you can finishing Mazda Millenia 2.5l KL engine timing belt replacement in 45 minutes.

I have been working on cars for 30 plus years. I used to own a Millenia. I have replaced the timing belt tensioner. Like I said, 45 Mins. Did I question your mechanical ability? Don't question mine!

mighty touchy aren't ya. Some people may take 46 minutes to change it and some may take 146 minutes. So what!!!!!!!

if you do it in 45 minutes your either really good or your putting half the bolt back in an cracking the timing cover.

I am getting ready to replace the timing belt on my 99 Mazda 626 V6. to replace the timing belt you must remove the front motor mount (and support the engine in the process). There is a lot of things that need to be taken apart to replace the belt and cam and front crank seals.

I would never replace timing belt tensioner without removing the timing belt first, to ensure that it did not slip a tooth or more. My Mazda dealer quoted me $ 570 for replacement of timing belt, and oil seals on this car. so your quoted price is quite in line with this.

Just got done replacing the timing belt on my 99 626 V6. What a PITA! I had to rpeolace all three idler pulleys and the tensioner.

Anybody who claims they can replace the timing belt tensioner on a Mazda front wheel drive 2.5 liter V6 is full of it!

I have replaced the timing belt on such a car, and access is so limited that it is very difficult to get at anything. It takes 45 minutes just to remove the accessory belts and the crankshaft damper pulley. Then you need to remove the power steering pump pulley to be able to remove one of the timing belt covers without destroying it. The two timing belt covers have a total of about 16 bolts holding them in place and many are hard to get to. The timing belt has three idler pulleys, one of which has an arm on it, which a hydraulic tensioner pushes against. If you replace the timing belt, it is advisable to replace all three idler pulleys and the tensioner itself if the car has over 100K miles on it. This is not a 45 minute job!!!!! Absolute BS!