I have a 2007 MDX with about 110k miles.

I am going to do the timing belt service.

There are two different kits - one kit has the timing belt, tensioner, pulley, and water pump.. it's between $150-200 depending on which brand I get.

there is another kit that is meant for a 105k service/timing belt..it has the same parts as the above kit, but also includes a few other items, including the main serpentine belt (which I replaced not long ago when I had a new power steering pump installed) and some drive shaft gaskets/seals... that kit costs about $300.

how important is it to get the more expensive kit with these additional parts.. given that ONE of the additional parts is the main drive belt whcih I don't need... are those other little seals important or necessary given my mileage??

also - I don't plan to do this myself, but the dealer is insane..they want like $2000 for the service. what a f**ing scam.

private mechanics are quoting me about $750.

I found some mobile mechanics who will do it, parts included for about $500.

I am guessing that installation of this stuff is not rocket science..and it's pretty hard to put the parts in wrong or mess up the car.. i'm reluctant to spend $2000 at a dealer when a mobiel guy will come out and do it for $500.... and I hoenstly think that most of these mobile guys can do the work... it's more involved than a brake job..but not a lot.

thoughts?

 

Will you be able to find the mobil mechanic when your car breaks down? I might call a mobil mechanic if I were broken down in an emergency situation but would never let one do a major repair. If you can not do it yourself, take it to a reputable indie who will stand behind his work.

 

ive seen a lot of Acura's come in with the timing belts slipped from half rate mechanic's. may be cheap now but wait till something happens and you cant get in touch with them. you may save money now but if they do it wrong it will cost you thousands of dollars.

 

No way I would go with a mobile mechanic. $500 is WAY to cheap and you should be highly suspicious. The parts alone are more than half that cost. Don't skimp on this job. You'll regret it. IMO, you won't need the crankshaft and camshaft seals. They likely aren't leaking and can go another 100k. If you just replaced the serpentine belt and it is in good shape, then there is no reason to replace it. You can get a complete genuine Honda timing belt kit on eBay for under $300. I got mine for $285. I wouldn't feel comfortable using cheap aftermarket parts in my $20k vehicle, especially when the engine could be destroyed if something goes wrong. You'd come in right around $1,000, which is pretty good if you ask me. The dealer would charge significantly more (obviously).

 

local independent shop quoted me $750 out the door.. that includes parts. that is the standard kit.. with water pump..but not the more expensive kit.

this shop is not a dealer, but is a relatively large indie shop. they have been around a long time, lots of positive reviews, appears to be a pretty busy shop. it's not the dealer, but it is not some mobile hack job place.

i did not ask if this was OEM Acura parts or an aftermarket kit like Gates or Aisin...i'm assuming it is NOT Acura parts...

i will skip the mobile guy and go with a reputable shop.

does it really matter if the parts are an acura kit vs aftermarket as long as it's qualityh aftermarket?

thanks for the input guys.

 

Some aftermarket kits, eg Aisin, are OEM quality. Do not use anything else including Gates. My experience with Gates TB's is not good. Plus they use lower quality bearings, eg GMB, and they source their WP's from God only knows for sure. Do not cheap out on the parts!

 

$2000????just timing belt/water pump? Or that includes spark plugs?
There is acura dealers here in NJ that do it for $700-$800- includes oem parts. (No spark plugs)

PM me I will do it for 1/2 that price and includes oem parts and have it done in less than an hour.

 

Rockauto has ACDelco, Goodyear and Aisin kits for $200 or under, which seems quite reasonable. Check to see what's included. I'd be comfortable with either of these in addition to the original Acura kits. As for mobile mechanic , in a word, NOOOOOOO. At least try to find a local shop that works on Hondas and Acuras frequently.

 

I would like to know which Acura dealership in Jersey. This will be my second timing belt change. Last one cost $1800 her in NY.

 

PM me please

 

My MDX has 101k and my indy mechanic quoted $1400 for the entire job!! WTH! Coincidentally my local dealer is running a special for $599 (timing chain only) +$300 for spark plugs/water pump. Seems like a good price based on other posts...

 

My god i wish my dealership made 2k for a timing belt. if you buy timing belt, serp belt, water pump and tensioner it's about 1100. with plugs 300 more. you don't need oil seals, and you're 80% not likely to need water pump. you do need a tensioner, i promise it will be leaking. a timing belt is very important needs to be done correctly, but 2k is insane.