How much will it cost to fix the timing on a car?

My dad owns a 89 Honda Civic. The car ran fine until a few months ago when it just wouldn't start. My dad replaced a ton of things in the car and still no go. He brought in my brother-in-law, who's a mechanic, and the final diagnosis was that the actual timing of the car was off. Now mind me, I'm a young girl and I don't know jacksquat about cars and car engines, but what I got out of my dad explaining to me was that the timing of the mechanical engine and the pistons has been misplaced. To fix this, he said, is really about physical timing and getting it just right. How much would it cost to bring this issue to a mechanic shop and have them fix it? I'm aware that they have to pull out parts from the hood to fix this and that would include manual labor costs… But overall, how much would this job cost? I want/need this car to drive to work and school within the next few weeks.

If it is just ignition timing, 10 minutes.

If it is timing belt, that will take a while longer and cost much, much, more.

The cost for timing fix will be more than what your car is worth. Time to get a newer car.

Tell them both to stop drinking beer and reach way up under the dash on the driver side and grab the main relay, it has "MITSUBA" written on the side, it's bad, replace it or re-solder it and life will be good again.

You most likely need to have your timing belt replaced. You should do the waterpump and tensioner while your at it. If the timing belt broke while it was running there's a chance you may have done more extensive damage. Go to repairpal.com and provide the info needed to get a good estimate. Parts and labor prices vary depending upon where you live.

Most people has already gave you the advises to check the T-belt so I won't repeat it. Go for it and the labor cost depend on what parts are involve and the shop's labor rate where you live.

@Ucan'thandlethetruth: Here we go again with your s*#@#&*%#@ answer: Read the question then answer if your answer is making any sense at all.

How do you know they're drinking, the same thing how do you know the main relay is at fault? People like you only read what has said online and believe that was the cause…

So all of the answers here are wrong and we're all drinking, including her Dad and her brother in law? What are you waiting for? Give me a thumb down too since I've said the T-belt also need to be check? Lol. What's a D***A****

No more than one hour of labor to set the correct ignition timing. If you buy a manual for that car and rent or buy a timing light you can do it yourself. It is a simple process. Takes only a few minutes if you know how. If the timing belt broke while driving and if that is an "interference" engine, you will need another motor. No maybe about it. Don't despair! You can order a used or "Crate Engine" from Japan for about $400 with only 30K miles on it.