Looking for shop

[Giffy]

I'm looking for an independent shop to do my timing belt replacement and all other items with that (water pump, bearings, etc.) in Eastern Iowa or Western Illinois. Anyone have any recommendations or experiences? I have the parts.

[scaryperson27]

I always recommend taking my vehicles to a dealer. When I bought my 2000 tundra 4.7l used, it had an after-market water pump due to the fact that the guy who had the truck before me didn't take it to the dealer to get the timing belt replaced. Well after about 20k miles on the timing belt replacement, the water pump started leaking antifreeze on the timing belt causing it to stretch over time, and then break. Due to the fact that we have noninterference engines, this could be fatal and cost a good 4k to fix. Thank god my engine was still good and the compression in all eight cylinders was good.

If you do take it to a shop other than the dealer, MAKE SURE THEY USE ONLY OEM PARTS!

After market parts usually have design flaws like the water pump that was on my truck. In fact, every part on my truck has given me no trouble except for my aftermarket alarm system, and my Roll-N-Lock tonneau cover which are the only two after market parts now.

[sr5mike]

Originally Posted by Giffy

I'm looking for an independent shop to do my timing belt replacement and all other items with that (water pump, bearings, etc.) in Eastern Iowa or Western Illinois. Anyone have any recommendations or experiences? I have the parts.

Not a good idea IMO installed wrong and your motor is toast. Then it is up to you to guy MR. mom n pop to cover a 5000.00 repair. The dealer knows your truck inside and out. I would only trust an expert.

[toml4]

We have interference engines. Noninterference means no interference.

I would look around for a good non dealer shop, the place I use (in maine) does great work for 1/2 the price. The local dealer on the other hand always seems to mess something up.

Originally Posted by scaryperson27

I always recommend taking my vehicles to a dealer. When I bought my 2000 tundra 4.7l used, it had an after-market water pump due to the fact that the guy who had the truck before me didn't take it to the dealer to get the timing belt replaced. Well after about 20k miles on the timing belt replacement, the water pump started leaking antifreeze on the timing belt causing it to stretch over time, and then break. Due to the fact that we have noninterference engines, this could be fatal and cost a good 4k to fix. Thank god my engine was still good and the compression in all eight cylinders was good.

If you do take it to a shop other than the dealer, MAKE SURE THEY USE ONLY OEM PARTS!

After market parts usually have design flaws like the water pump that was on my truck. In fact, every part on my truck has given me no trouble except for my aftermarket alarm system, and my Roll-N-Lock tonneau cover which are the only two after market parts now.

[kerykj]

I do almost everything myself. For the other stuff, I have a great mechanic who worked for Toyota for years. I would use him if he cost more than the dealer. If you find a good mechanic, stay with him.

[vincenzo]

Originally Posted by Giffy

I'm looking for an independent shop to do my timing belt replacement and all other items with that (water pump, bearings, etc.) in Eastern Iowa or Western Illinois. Anyone have any recommendations or experiences? I have the parts.

Where in IA are you? Do you know where Readlyn is? There is a small shop there that does great work without charging an arm and a leg. I believe it's called Wolff's. If (like scaryperson) you are worried about the parts they might use, just buy your own parts for them to install (some shops don't allow this, so check first).
My father-in-law lives in Readlyn, and I asked him to see what that shop would charge for a timing belt replacement. If I remember right, it would be about $300. I don't know if that was just for labor or not.