Toaph,

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There is a video on my web site () that shows how to get the belt on. It is very doable with the engine in place. The shop manual tells you the steps to follow. This shop shouldn’t be trusted with the job, since they don’t know how to do it. $10k is absurd.

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If you look on SJ Sportscar’s web site, you will see that a “C” service, which includes the timing belt, is $1500, but also covers oil change, spark plugs, adjusting the valves, new gearbox oil, and brake fluid flush. Their shop rate is $66/hr, and they have 14 hours in there. Shop rates in this country are 2-3 times that, so adjust the amount accordingly,

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There are too many horror stories form Esprit owners where a shop undertakes something like this. They keep the car for a year or two, don’t finish the job, then you have to fight to get the car out of them, and find someone else to do the work. Save yourself the grief, They don’t really want the work, thus the high price, ir they have no idea what they are doing.

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Used to have a friend with a Ferrari Testarosa which required the engine to be removed for a timing belt change, every two years. It was $20k, but that was a huge job. Engine removal isn’t that hard in these cars, and definitely not $10k, and not needed for the timing belt. Now, if you are replacing fuel tanks, I understand that it is almost required, difficult to accomplish with them in place.

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Bill

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