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Price for timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, valve adjustment
Hi all: Just got a 2008 TL with 99,000 miles. The local Acura dealer wants $1,350 to do the belt and pump, plus $775 to change the spark plugs and do the valve adjustment. It seems awfully high, but I hesitate to take it to someone who doesn't know what they're doing.
I would say $1350 is on the high side for the timing belt. I have seen many prices that people have quoted. Under $1k and you are doing pretty good. It's an involved service.
I'm not exactly sure on a fair price for a valve adjustment. It's another quite involved process. It requires removing the intake manifold, which takes a good bit of time.
Spark plugs - I would honestly try and tackle these yourself. It's a fairly straight forward process. The rear 3 can be a little bit of a pain. Around an hour to DIY if you're still learning like me.
There's DIY's out there for each of these items. I got into working on cars with my Dad because the cost of labor kills you on items like this. I understand not feeling comfortable with doing the timing belt because installing it wrong can cause some problems. I wouldn't necessarily want to do it myself right now, luckily the dealer did it before I bought the car! The valve adjustment I plan on taking on myself. Eric the Car Guy has a great guide on YouTube on how to do it on the TL.
A valve adjustment is often coupled with the 105k service, but unless your engine is making an excessive amount of valve noise, it isn't ESSENTIAL that it be done. It will maybe give you some more MPG's and a quieter engine, but nothing in the way of performance, from what I've read.
Acura dealer is not automatically equivalent to complete competence and "knows what they're doing." They are, however, very effective at lightening
your wallet.
Shop around at reputable local Honda/Acura/Japanese garages (google reviews, facebook, etc.) and see other estimates. You can also look at Honda dealers too
Acura dealer is not automatically equivalent to complete competence and "knows what they're doing." They are, however, very effective at lightening
your wallet. Shop around at reputable local Honda/Acura/Japanese garages (google reviews, facebook, etc.) and see other estimates. You can also look at Honda dealers too
Before I gona comment on the pricing of the TB/WP, what components will they be replacing for $1350? my local Acura dealer charge that much for cam seals, radiator flush, all the tensioners, TB, WP, drive belt, thermostat and that after tax, I brought my own part ($250) and have them do the labor at $770. Many place will advertise $600 TB special and all they really change is just a timing belt, I am sure some of us veteran here heard of Torrington Honda CT $500 timing belt special, I used to take my accord there for service and one of they told me the $500 ONLY replace the timing belt. NJ Hamilton Honda on the other hand has the $700 special deal which replace TB/WP and coolant (not sure if the price varies now) or the legendary Paul in northern NJ which does really good work.
Spark plug you can def do it yourself, and I would say skip the valve adjustment until you past 200k miles, my TL-S currently has 106k miles with no abnormal noise. BTW the gas mileage saver after valve adjustment is bogus, I would love to see a actual documentation of before and after MPG of a valve adjustment unless your valve is really loose.
Last edited by truonghthe; 03-07-2017 at 04:58 PM.
I'm in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Odd that that didn't show up in my profile -- thought I'd mentioned it.)
The dealer has the best reputation of the local Acura dealers. The $1,350 quote is for timing belt, water pump, tensioners, but I don't know about cam seals, radiator flush, drive belt, thermostat, etc.
They're running a 15% off special for anything over $500, with a limit of $250 total off. That would bring the $1,350 down to roughly $1,150.
I'm inclined to just do the timing belt/water pump for now and do the valves/spark plugs this summer, possibly figuring out how to do the sparks myself. I don't drive a ton, so it could well be that I won't come close to the 105,000 mile mark until July or so.
I'd just go to a Honda dealership if I were you. Same parts, same process, same engine, half the cost..Only difference is you don't don't get a service loaner
I'd just go to a Honda dealership if I were you. Same parts, same process, same engine, half the cost..Only difference is you don't don't get a service loaner
I wish that was the case for me. Honda wanted $1600 and Acura wants $945. Both prices are them supplying the parts and not me. They are both my local dealers in which I asked.
I'd just go to a Honda dealership if I were you. Same parts, same process, same engine, half the cost..Only difference is you don't don't get a service loaner
Considered that, too, except I've read elsewhere that the Honda guys may not be all that familiar with the Acura's finer points. I've been a Honda owner for a long time, and while the dealers have been fine, I can see the shops I've taken it to failing to figure out what they should. I've had to make some repeat visits to the dealers when they get things wrong or, in one recent instance, weren't sure if they installed the right replacement Tanaka airbag. Given the potential problems from the timing belt, I'm hesitant to hand it over to a mechanic who normally is tweaking a Fit's 4-cylinder. At least I know the Acura guys have worked on a few TLs by now.
If anybody's in the Twin Cities area who has a good recommendation, I'm all ears.
Surprised this hasn't been posted yet....but this subject has been beat to death over the past 5+ years now and is very well documented in previous threads....
As stated by thoiboi....the V-6 is roughly the same one used in the Accord, Pilot, and Odyssey...so they are quite familiar with it. My Acura dealer wanted over $2k for the full service (TB, tens, plugs, valve adj, SB, idler) while my local Honda dealer wanted around $1200 for the same service. Local independent shops wanted the same price as the Honda dealer and they weren't going to use OE parts. The only "issue" I had at the Honda dealer was they found my side mount failed and didn't have that part since it was Acura specific. If they were going to order it, it would have just come from my local Acura dealer with the normal mark-up. So they suggested I find the part on my own and install myself.
Also to note...have them check the oil pump seal. Mine started leaking/weeping within 12 months after my service.
top one was indy shop, then Acura Dealer, Acura Dealer, Honda Dealer, Honda indy shop, Honda Dealer, Honda Dealer, Honda Dealer and last was honda Indy shop
alternatively buy the following, either individually or ensure a kit online has all the parts below, and get a hourly rate (id say you are looking about $85/hr).
************************************************** ************************************************** **********************************
Timing Belt - Honda / 14400-RCA-A01 $ 49.94 x 1
Idler Roller / Pulley - Koyo OE / 14550-RCA-A01 $ 41.14 x 1
Tensioner Roller / Pulley - Koyo OE / 14510-RCA-A01 $ 90.73 x 1
Water Pump & Gasket - Aisin / 19200-RDM-A02 $ 119.11 x 1
Hydraulic Tensioner - Honda / 14520-RCA-A01 $ 102.12 x 1
Front Camshaft Seals x 2 - Honda / 91213-R70-A02 $ 5.57 x 2
Front Crankshaft Seal Honda / 91212-R70-A02 $ 6.07 x 1
Serpentine Drive Belt Bando/ 38920-RCA-A03 6PK-2135 $ 31.54 x 1
Last edited by UlsterBoy13; 03-08-2017 at 10:37 AM.
Prices apparently vary quite a bit based on your location. FWIW, the Acura dealer here -- who gets good marks locally and underprices other Acura dealers -- says that their shop rates are cheaper than local Honda dealers' rates. Why? Because they have a regular building and the Honda dealers have all built these gigantic edifices in the past few years. It's true. One dealer (Richfield-Bloomington) has what must be a five-story building with Hondas displayed like little toys in the upper regions.
A lot of Honda owners take their cars to this Acura dealer, due to the lower rates and good service. Conversely, some of the Honda dealers won't work on Acuras.
Surprised this hasn't been posted yet....but this subject has been beat to death over the past 5+ years now and is very well documented in previous threads....
As stated by thoiboi....the V-6 is roughly the same one used in the Accord, Pilot, and Odyssey...so they are quite familiar with it. My Acura dealer wanted over $2k for the full service (TB, tens, plugs, valve adj, SB, idler) while my local Honda dealer wanted around $1200 for the same service. Local independent shops wanted the same price as the Honda dealer and they weren't going to use OE parts. The only "issue" I had at the Honda dealer was they found my side mount failed and didn't have that part since it was Acura specific. If they were going to order it, it would have just come from my local Acura dealer with the normal mark-up. So they suggested I find the part on my own and install myself.
Also to note...have them check the oil pump seal. Mine started leaking/weeping within 12 months after my service.
[emphasis mine] OP, regardless of where you send your car to be fixed, (or if you DIY it), be prepared for a "your oil pump is leaking, do you want it fixed? It will be another 8 hours of labor, plus a few seals"
I just did the TB on my 06, and also had to reseal the oil pump due to it leaking. If you have oil residue on your RH subframe/engine case, it's a good chance it's leaking. You have to pull the TB to remove the oil pump, so doing it in conjunction with the TB change is the most efficient course of action.
as has been posted before, call around and ask whats covered, a la:
Interesting. All the more reason to get people to shop around town to find the best deal. Reading some of those Tstat charges...no wonder people call them stealerships......
Originally Posted by Mr.Gone
Prices apparently vary quite a bit based on your location. FWIW, the Acura dealer here -- who gets good marks locally and underprices other Acura dealers -- says that their shop rates are cheaper than local Honda dealers' rates. Why? Because they have a regular building and the Honda dealers have all built these gigantic edifices in the past few years. It's true. One dealer (Richfield-Bloomington) has what must be a five-story building with Hondas displayed like little toys in the upper regions.
A lot of Honda owners take their cars to this Acura dealer, due to the lower rates and good service. Conversely, some of the Honda dealers won't work on Acuras.
Interesting and good to know. My own 06 TL is coming up due for its 2nd TB/WP service soon (at 191k miles now) so I'll definitely keep this in mind and also defintiely call around at least 5-6 dealers/shops to compare pricing and service items....
Shiet.. I'm in the wrong business.
Should just make a $800 special. Do a timing belt job a day. Make 6 figggggaaaassssss!!!!!
I guess I am a tad clueless...why is the price on the tstat so crazy? An hour of shop labor is $90-130/hr, plus parts, plus coolant, easy to get to $150.
Coolant is already required to do the timing belt, the tstat is $15 and it's two fucking bolts and less than 30 minutes.
Last bolt is a bit of a PITA (not as bad as lower battery tray), but even so, should take 15 minutes with the right tools.
So if labor is $100/hr and it takes 15-30 minutes, it should be tops .5 hr bill and $65.
alternatively buy the following, either individually or ensure a kit online has all the parts below, and get a hourly rate (id say you are looking about $85/hr).
************************************************** ************************************************** **********************************
Timing Belt - Honda / 14400-RCA-A01 $ 49.94 x 1
Idler Roller / Pulley - Koyo OE / 14550-RCA-A01 $ 41.14 x 1
Tensioner Roller / Pulley - Koyo OE / 14510-RCA-A01 $ 90.73 x 1
Water Pump & Gasket - Aisin / 19200-RDM-A02 $ 119.11 x 1
Hydraulic Tensioner - Honda / 14520-RCA-A01 $ 102.12 x 1
Front Camshaft Seals x 2 - Honda / 91213-R70-A02 $ 5.57 x 2
Front Crankshaft Seal Honda / 91212-R70-A02 $ 6.07 x 1
Serpentine Drive Belt Bando/ 38920-RCA-A03 6PK-2135 $ 31.54 x 1
I agree kit is way to go, i was just trying to be helpful as there are many "Kits" out there without ALL the items in it and i was just assplaining it.....
If a shop is willing to do the work for $600 and you kill their margin on parts by bringing kit.. do it.
Also, I have yet to hear about cam seals leaking.. skip it.
The crankshaft seal.. more likely.. somewhere between 100-200k, but that might also be attributed to not replacing PCV valve.
Add PCV valve change to the job! Probably quote $150 to do it.
I got on yelp.com and was able to get quotes from all over Albuquerque with out talking to a person, just typing my request and copying and pasting, I finally got the job done, timing belt and water pump for just under $610. Yelp has a rating system and you can see if your dealing with someone who knows what they are doing. This garage did a great job and will I continue to use in the future.
I got on yelp.com and was able to get quotes from all over Albuquerque with out talking to a person, just typing my request and copying and pasting, I finally got the job done, timing belt and water pump for just under $610. Yelp has a rating system and you can see if your dealing with someone who knows what they are doing. This garage did a great job and will I continue to use in the future.
Where did you take it? I live down in Roswell. Just bought a TL that looks like it needs a transmission and will probably need some maintenance done on it.
just throwing this out.....make sure you know what you are getting done for the price, i got this flyer yesterday and thought NICE PRICE! then looked at what they actually do!!
Last edited by Majofo; 03-16-2017 at 09:17 AM.
Reason: ffs altarboy.. edit your images
03-07-2017, 03:57 PM
The valve adjustment I plan on taking on myself. Eric the Car Guy has a great guide on YouTube on how to do it on the TL.
