I took my car in for an alignment today and one of the mechanics told me something that I had already noticed but priced me at a rate I thought was ridiculous.

They said the following:

water pump is leaking
engine is drenched in oil t
replace oil valve cover seal and
head valve cover seal
Timing belt is worn

They estimated around $800 for parts and labor.

I wanted to know if anyone knew where i could find prices for the following and a how to guide for installing these parts because im not willing to shell out that much cash.

Also I was considering swaping out my combustion engine for an electrical engine and if there are any do it yourself guides for that or any compatible electric motors I could use that anyone knows of.

Thanks a bunch.

Celi Stats:
1996 Toyota Celica Stx.
All Factory except Curren style tail lights, clear side markers, clear turning signals, air intake, and scion rims

Your local toyota dealer will have everything you need.
As far as swapping out your motor for an electrical one is concerned, that is not possible

T belt & water pump= anywhere from $250 to $350 for parts/labor, if you don't know how to do it and aren't terribly mechanical, I wouldn't attempt it, it's a very specific and technical job. 3-4 hrs labor for a mechanic and well worth the cost IMO if it's not something you're able to do yourself. This isn't just an oil change we're talking about here.

Oil valve cover seal vs. head valve cover seal? Uh... I'm not really sure I understand what this means. Do you mean oil pan seal? Oil pump seal? Oil pump? IDK... I need clarification on that.

Valve cover gasket kit which includes valve cover gasket and spark plug rings= maybe $25 at your local parts store. Labor= half an hour, an hour if it's really gunked up and you have a hard time pulling the valve cover off. SUPER easy to do yourself.

There should be little "points" or "dots" or some kind of marker on the cam gear and the crank gear. And you have to match those up with another kind of marker on the engine showing that the timing is perfect. I believe something like that, correct me if i'm wrong though. Then put the timing belt on and make sure when the slack is tightened the markers still line up correctly. It takes a bit of figiting to get it right.

I'm not positive if its like that for our cars but thats how it was for a car i did a timing belt on.

I thought it was a "v"?

aint it like a little triangle or v or something... i dont know for sure

I thought it was a v, but i do know for sure there was a write up on the subjecthere it is!. I know its for the 5sfe, but it should be almost the same as the 7afe

This post has been edited by Spider77: Dec 21, 2008 - 12:42 AM