Hello,

I have a 2002 dodge neon SE that I've quoted to get the water pump, timing belt and tensioner replaced by the dealer. The parts dept. has quoted both a mechanical tensioner($123) AND hydraulic tensioner($220). Note they stated BOTH would need replaced??? Maybe I missed something but everything I read on the forum here says that either our neons have a mechanical tensioner OR a Hydraulic tensioner--not both. Just want to be sure on this before I confront the dealer(it maybe that the parts guy is just not familiar).

Also from reading the forums, I believe the mechanical tensioner can be used regardless of what is existing in my 2002 neon? The mechanical tensioner appears to be superior plus it is $100 less.

 

Any certified mechanic can do that timing belt/water pump job for you for about $250, if you buy the parts. I did mine a couple of weeks ago. Same car 2002 Neon ES. It's not that difficult really. Just time consuming. Mine came with a mechanical tensioner and replaced it with an exact unit. The parts cost was $120 for belt, tensioner and pump plus some coolant. Took me about 3 hours and everything is fine. Just make sure you replace the center engine mount. I replaced mine as I found it to be too compressed to be used again, plus I had a lot of vibration in the car before the timing belt replacement. Changing the mount(I didn't buy a Mopar one, I'm cheap) and doing the torque struts alignment cured all vibration problems.

 

It takes one or the other tensioner. What they should doing is ordering both and returning the one they don't need, you typically won't know if it's mechanical or hydraulic until you get it apart.

 

Thanks for the replies. They did refund the hydraulic tensioner as it must have had the mechanical tensioner in it. The labor was actually reasonable for a dealer which ended up being $255(3 hrsx$85). Parts were expensive though(about $300) but I figure this job is better for the dealer as it is somewhat specialized and I wasn't prepared to tackle this on my own.

Kevin

 

That sounds fairly reasonable. I did the job myself, minus the waterpump, (which I may regret later) for about $100 (gates tensioner and belt kit.).

But I do my own work and get a discount on parts..