thku4grace

I have a 1996 Acura TL with a 3.2. I've owned it for 11 years. Great car, have had few real problems and I don't drive it hard. I've put on about 116000 miles since I bought it used when it had about 69K miles. While I understand the manufacturer recommends changing the timing belt after about 60K miles, I have not yet done this, nor am I even aware the dealer I bought this car from did this repair either before he sold it to me. Is the dealer required to have done this maintenance and if so would they likely have a record of it? Also because the vehicle has 186K miles already and the cost of this type of maintenance might be as much as 30-40% of the blue book value today, I'm wondering what is the probability of it finally breaking? Is it better to play the odds and then just buy another vehicle if it breaks?

HP11

Have you considered changing the belt yourself?

Mandy

Is the Timing Belt a relatively easy job for our 1st Gen 3.2?

HP11

I wouldn't call it easy but it's not the most difficult one I've ever done. (That would be a 1993 Infiniti J30). To do it right, however, you should also change the timing belt tensioner, the timing belt tensioner spring, water pump and gasket, the two camshaft seals, the front crankshaft seal and the three accessory drive belts. Not trememdously difficult but tedious and a little labor intensive.

HP11

I forgot to add the the kit that includes all of the above can be bought for under $300. Changing out those items is generally what is considered the '100000 mile service' on most cars. If you're moderately mechanically inclined, you can do it. From what I understand, a shop will charge $800-ish to do this which is way less than the cost of the engine rebuild/replacememt you'll need of the belt goes. These are interference engines so you'll lose valves/piston etc. if it goes.

tempetom

I just ordered a timing belt, water pump, tensioner, seals and gasket for my 96, 3.2TL. I feel like I'm pretty mechanically inclined and I do have all the time in the world to do this. I fooled with the starter repair for 7 weeks or so due to cutting my finger badly the first day of that job. Anyhow, I guess we'll see how this goes. I hope it's not too complicated. I may have to ask some questions when I get into it. By the way, I only have 91k miles on the car.

tempetom

Damn, after reading some instructions, this job would have been a lot easier if I'd have done it when I changed the belts and hoses a year or 2 ago. I'm starting to think I may not be able to do it. We'll see?

main70072

You can do it! I did mines on the 2.5L this past December.

tempetom

Did you remove the radiator before getting to removing the belts?
When I changed the belts, I didn't have to mess with the radiator (that I recently also replaced), but it looks like I may need more access to the timing belt area.