Q: What does it mean when a car on Craigslist says "needs timing work" what does that mean, good? Bad? Expensive? Inexpensive?

asked by on July 21, 2016

Guy on Craigslist said the truck needs timing work done. What does this mean. Is it good/bad super expensive inexpensive??? What's my worst case for the price. His exact words were "needs timing work. Runs. Dont have time to work on it."
My car has an automatic transmission.

The engines for this year 4.6 and 5.4 have a camshaft phasers that go bad, and also the timing chain guides may need to be replaced. In order to repair these items on these vehicle, the camshafts would need to be checked and the phasers replaced along with the timing chains and guides. The labor cost is like 15 hours and needs special tools to align the cams. The parts involved are: phasers, chains, tensioners, guides, gaskets, water pump, fluids, and filters. The parts may add up to close to $400 or $500. The total job may be closer to or more than $1500. If you are very interested in the car, then a certified technician from YourMechanic can give the car a pre-purchase inspection to determine the condition of the car before you decide on spending money on this type of work.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

My 1998 Toyota Corolla won't accelerate
Hi, thanks for writing in. This may be likely related to a faulty mass airflow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-mass-airflow-sensor) which is a unit that regulates air intake (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-does-the-mass-airflow-sensor-do) as it is mixed with fuel. When this is faulty, it can cause an...
I'm not sure if I need a new timing belt & if I do, is it worth to get fixed?
Your engine actually has a timing chain (and associated parts) to keep the crankshaft and camshafts in a properly timed relationship. Your mechanic is correct that performing a timing chain service, which includes the chain, guides, tensioner and pulleys, then...
i hit a pothole turn and my turn signal doesn't work
Hi and thanks for your question. On the Impala's the speed sensors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/speed-sensor-replacement) on the hubs to the vehicles wheels are in the same circuit with the turn signals. This tells the computer that the vehicle is turning with the...
cam shaft location on 2007 honda odyssey
Hello, thank you for writing in. The camshaft is one of the main interior components of the engine. They are used to open and close valves on time to keep the engine running properly. Replacing them is something that you...
Location of airbag module in chevy 2006 police edition car?
Hi there. Tampering or replacing air bag modules on cars in the United States without a license or certification is not legal. Since our mobile mechanics don't even offer this service, we're not able to offer this advice. I'm sure...
How much is a power steering flush and change for a 2009 Honda Civic?
Honda does not specify any service interval for power steering fluid for your specific vehicle and consequently it is not "required" to change the power steering fluid. That is fairly typical (i.e., no specific service requirement). However, it is nevertheless...
hi I have a dodge avenger 2008 with the lightning volt light on? My car does not turn on
Hi there. The lighting bolt light is a warning light that indicates a problem with the battery or charging system on our 2008 Dodge Avenger which could be caused by a damaged battery, battery cables, alternator or other electrical system...
Starts then dies
Hi There, A few different things will usually cause the vehicle to start and then die (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-starts-and-then-dies-inspection). A bad ignition coil (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-coil-replacement) can cause this if it is beginning to fail, resulting in intermittent starting problems. A dirty or faulty...
The engine light just started blinking and it would jerk once I've accelerated to 20 mph.
Based upon the symptoms you are describing, it sounds like you may have a faulty camshaft position sensor. The camshaft position sensor is a magnetic sensor that monitors camshaft speed to regulate ignition timing and fuel injection timing. It gathers...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Lexus RX450H
More More and more auto manufacturers are offering hybrid versions of their compact and mid-size sedans, but a surprisingly small number of them are doing the same for their smaller trucks, SUVs and crossover utility vehicles (CUVs). Among those forward-thinking...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
Think Think of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class as the two-door cousin of the S-Class lineup. Each vehicle in this class is a stylish, sexy coupe. What’s more – they all manage to combine incredible performance with svelte styling. They might...
How to Buy a Car After Bankruptcy
Though bankruptcy can greatly impact your life financially, there are still ways to buy a car by managing your payments and having a good cosigner.