As mentioned in a not so old post a while back, I was getting an oil leak under the timing belt cover. I decided to get the 3 front engine seals replaced after confirming that the crankcase pressure is negative using the glove test. Since the timing belt and water pump are close by, I thought it would be practical to replace those. The mechanic also suggested changing the 4 belts and belt tensioner (after looking at it). So here was what was done:

New TB (Continental brand)
New belt tensioner (brand unknown)
New cam seals (3, Viton/Corteco)
New belts (4, brand unknown)
New water pump (brand unknown)

The total came out to $600 for parts and labor. This included "2 quantity" coolant that cost $24 total. I'm curious how much coolant is drained when doing the WP? Kinda hard to believe that $24 worth of coolant was added. I'm a bit suspect of the water pump, as I don't know what brand it is and the invoice lists it for $159. This indie isn't known to use "Genuine Volvo" branded parts, so I'm wondering what aftermarket WP was used. I'd be happy with Hepu or Asine (sp). If it's a cheap brand, then that is a pretty high markup and that sort of irritates me a bit. It has what looks to me a bluish gasket. Genuine Volvo WP has a blue gasket, so I'm hoping that's what it is. Somehow I doubt it. Anyway, is this a fair price for the aforementioned services?

I'm trying this shop out after my go-to shop lost favor with me. A few things about this 1-man shop annoyed me slightly. One was that he put the timing belt service sticker on top of the company sticker of a Volvo shop I had used when I was in school and highly regarded. I found that a bit disrespectful. If I didn't like the shop I would have removed it a long time ago. It's not like it was an expired service sticker. It was a mark of pride showing that I only get my 245 serviced at a Volvo shop, and on top of that the shop had selflessly helped me out once or twice in the past. I would still use it if it were closer. Second is that the shop owner/mechanic didn't seem very approachable, though he was polite.