Lots of people (are able to) do DIY timing belt jobs. That does not mean the job is simple. You cannot simply order a kit and slap in on some Saturday morning - not the first time anyway. You need a good service jack, jack stands, maybe air tools and the special tool for adjusting the tensioner pulley. You also need to have nearly memorized the timing belt section in the service manual. So, for some people, the dealership is still the best choice. Do a timing belt job wrong and you can seriously screw up an engine.

 

TRuf. Thats why i suggested finding a friend. When my friend had his evo, i helped him time his with the help of the manual of here, jay racings timing belt kit and patience.

I would highly suggest finding a friend to help out.

 

+1 good idea if anyone is local to you

 

i'm not sayin you shouldn't do it yourself, but if it's your first time working on a car, this should definately NOT be your first job. if you can do it, fine. if you have doubts, take it to a reputable shop, bite the bullet and pay the money. if a shop screws it up, you have options. if you screw it up, your just screwed. the most important things to get done in that 60k is serp, timing and balance belt, tensioners, and waterpump. everything else can wait. (unless you never changed the drivetrain fluids, thats good to do also.)

i did my 60k at a reputable speedshop in the bay area and i paid $1400 for everything. t&b belts, pulleys, serp., w/p, hoses, plugs, wires, drivetrain fluids. if i did it myself, it was $1000 for parts, i would have to down my daily driver for 2+ days, and i would have no warrantee if i screwed it up. ( not that i would have, i've been a mechanic for 14 years, but **** happens you cant account for). look around, call and compare, and definately scope the shop and it's employees before taking the dive. good luck.

 

My 60 K service is coming up soon! Not looking forward to it but I know its gotta be done or I risk losing my motor. My dealership said they will do it for half the cost of a Mitsubishi Dealership!!!!!!

 

where did you get the info that evo water pumps are tested to last for 60k?
I have seen quite a few high mileage evos, and dont really hear about water pump failures too often.

 

I have changed WP every 60K. The original one is the only one that wasn't weeping coolant. Not a big leak or anything, just weeping, not hitting the floor. For the extra money and maybe 20 minutes tops, I would highly recommend a WP. Heck, I'm a tech and hate to rip sh*t apart twice.

 

Yea Im doing it all at once that way I dont have to worry about it down the road!!

 

take the weekend off. Get a good friend thats gonna help you. There is a step by step on evom somewhere.

 

Is the Evo timing belt job pretty much the same as in a 2g besides it being on the opposite side of the engine?

 

Yes. Its very very similar. I suggest the jay racing timing tools to make your life much easier to install the belt.

 

I've got a Gates Timing belt FS. My engine didn't like it and was making noise, but most ppl have no issues using it. PM me if your want it.