exl124

Any thoughts on this? I understand the possible problems that can occur if the timing belt broke off and its getting close to 9 yrs from the time she was new. But to me ( not a mechanic) the belt looks ok. Car drives very well and smooth. Acura recommends 105k miles or 7yrs before changing it. Just wanted to get your thoughts on weather or not to change it. I am heading to the dealer tomorrow morning to get the airbag recall done. So I was going to ask them, but I already know what they will say since it will get them a quick buck.

exl124

I was just looking through the regions forum and found a simalar thread. If you are in teh Chicago land area, looks like a few guys recommend the Pit Shop in Libertyville. Just under $600 for the work.

https://acurazine.com/forums/chicago-313/aziner-chicago-100k-tune-up-job-823633/

OperationDarkie

iTrader: (1)

Change it just because it looks OK does not mean it is OK, I would change it, there is no telling what environment that belt has seen.

Allout

If you're planning on keeping the car, you should change it. Not a lot of upside delaying the maintenance as compared to the downside.

p.diddy

iTrader: (3)

you answered your own question. you said 105k or 7 years. the car is 9 years old. i say change it. but i wouldnt do it at the dealer. their going to charge the hell out of you to do it.

AustinTaper

Agreed, I just did mine at 69k miles and the peace of mind you feel afterwards is worth it, plus you don't have to worry about future repairs that could be 5x as much.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

i did mine myself last month it was alot for me since it was my first time but it was worth it... old belt looks like it was still good for another 20-30k (107k on the clock atm) i did also valve adjustment

A418t81

iTrader: (1)

Going to be doing mine before too long. I already did my valve adjustment and what was curious is that EVERY single one of my valve lashes were about half of what the clearance the factory called for. I'd rather have them tight than loose, and the car run and idles perfectly so I didn't touch a single one of them, but they were all exactly the same on both the intake and exhaust. Weird.

hotclick56

I have a 2003 CL w/ 125K miles & had mine done recently. Old timing belt still looks brand new.

Airbag recall? Is this something new? Never heard of it.

exl124

Good thinking...I will def do the timing belt change then.

Yup, air bag recall was a while ago but I never got around to it. Just brought it to the dealer this morning and its litterally a new bolt for the inflator. Under high stress, they told me the inflator could break off and not properly inflate the airbag. So the new, stronger bolt should hold it. I also had my SRS light just turn on on Thursday and they looked at it and found out that my driver seat belt buckle had a bad sensor. Acura, back in 2005 or 2006 extended this part to a lifetime waranty and they are fixing it for free...they just ordered the parts (19 parts to replace). Phew! Good thing it went out this week.

Allout

Hate to tell you this but our motor likes the adjustment to be on the loose side of the range.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...t=valve+adjust

m733l

iTrader: (1)

better safe than sorry. take the opportunity to shop around for the best price.

i need to do the same....

A418t81

iTrader: (1)

I'm well aware of the tolerances. The fact is that my car idles rock solid, regardless of the weather or AC. I have not had a single problem and I'd prefer them tight over loose if everything is running correctly.

exl124

Just got the service done...I found out that the hydraulic tensioner was slightly leaking fluid. Got that, the TB and all the other belts along with the water pump changed for $550 by a master Acura tech. I think that was a great deal.

Fabvsix

Not to steal your thread but my situation is similar....I have a 2004 mint Acura RL with only "22,500" miles ytd but just turned 7 years old. It sits in my garage mostly (California climate)....What would you do ?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Its 7 year, Id do the timing belt. Its not just the belt that can go bad, but the tensioner and water pump.

Aman

Just follow the manual.

Fabvsix

with only 22,500 miles ytd???

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Its 7 years old. Id do the TB service, but do what you feel is right.

Fabvsix

Dealership said they could "look" at it and go from there.....

exl124

I thought the same with my car and during the TB removal, I looked at the belt and it seemed ok but to be honest with you, I am relieved its done. The problems that could occur if it were to break would be much worse then the price you pay for the belt replacement. Plus like civic said, other things may be having issues. My hydraulic tensioner was leaking fluid and I never saw a drop on my garage floor...have no idea wear the fluid was going. But I saw it with my own eyes that it was leaking. But in the CL, you can only see it with all the mess removed.

Up to you and you may get away without changing it. But it is just rubber and with dry heat in Cali, there may be hairline cracks that are hard to detect.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Its not just the belt you have to worry about. The tensioner and the water pump could go bad as well.

Fabvsix

I appreciate everyone's recommendations but after speaking with my friend who can tear an engine down, rebuild it without hesitation he said "don't touch it"......he lives 4 blocks down the road from me, knows our climate well and how anal I am with my vehicles (no kids, no wives) just me and my 3 cheewawa's....he said at 22K original California anal miles ......leave it alone....its like brand new.....I will how ever schedule it with my local dealership for the following:
Replace Transmission fluid
Replace Brake and Power steering fluid
Rotate tires
Full inspection of brake pads
Adjust emergency brake pedal
If they mention the timing belt then I'll see what to do....I'll just play dumb....Heck its NEVER been back to shop/dealership since I bought her brand spanking. I change my oil every 5-7 miles (Syn), rotate tires every 3K, replaced AC filters twice and engine air filter at 15K. Eye ball all fluids etc... Can wait to see their FACE when they open the hood......LMAO....Heck even the undercarriage is "SPOTLESS/LIKE NEW".....Thanks again..ole timer out....

Fabvsix

if you would like to see pictures look my 2004 RL in the 1st gen RL section here....

Aman

Even if your car had zero miles, you should still get the timing belt changed. Just because it looks like new, doesn't mean it'll perform like new. And I don't think you'd like the look of your engine bay after a timing belt snap.

If you do take care of your car so much, you should have no qualms about doing the timing belt change.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I dont know about you but if a car has been sitting in a museum for 30 years with 5 miles on the odometer, I wouldnt expect the timing belt and other components to still be in like new condition.

But its your car and your money. I hope your decision to skip the TB service is a good one.

bigdaddyKA8

iTrader: (5)

CHANGE IT! You have the C35A motor which is very similar to the C32 I have in my Legend. I owned 3 coupes at one point and thought what the heck, I don't drive it that often and the miles are low. Long story short TB snapped and bent like 16 valves. Not worth the cost and hassle, especially if "this one is a keeper for sure". Might as well do it and enjoy it.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I believe its an '04, which has a J35. Its still not worth the hassle of bent valves.

Fabvsix

i will see what my Acura service adviser recommends based on "what they see" with regards to the timing belt...i appreciate your comments..

Fabvsix

yes its an 2004 with 22,3xx miles driven once or twice a month if that in Northern California since day one....

pb06

Is there no warning or way to know when a timing belt is about to snap or in need of a change, other than going by miles?

On other threads I've seen people say they've gone 150,000, even 200,000 without a change. My mechanic, who used to work for Acura, told me the 105 is just a recommendation but it can go much longer, depending.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

it depends of the conditions that you are running, how do you drive the car, are you abusing it ? it wont break if you dont change it at the 105k but its not something that you would want to happen you can find local honda/acura shop that will do it for you for ~$600 with all the parts that needs to be changed

i did mine myself it is doable and i can say that i drive my car all year in NJ and i drive it hard and timing belt looked ok i would say like had left around 20-30k miles more but i changed it just be safe and have piece of mind when you are away from home(you just dont want this to happen) and when it breaks its probably better off buy used engine which probably will need new timing belt anyway... so answer to yourself are you comfortable with it not being done yet ?

you can check the timing belt by removing the cover its simply 15min job and if you want i can provide you page of helms manual with info how to check/inspect timing belt

AustinTaper

risk vs. reward...it's a no brainer...spend the $500 now and be done with it. it sure beats thousands on a new engine and all that goes with that repair.

Fabvsix

I brought my RL to my dealership for a "FIRST" time since I bought her new with only 5 miles on the odo....they couldn't believe their eyes.....timing belt was the last thing on their mind...... I got 23K ytd and is kept in the garage mostly and driven once a month if that.....

YeuEmMaiMai

Acura dealer here states that they can go 10 years and 120K. I have an 02 CLS and I am getting ready to do my belt here in the near future. 10 Years and 103K later

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Rereading through this thread, I need to correct myself here. BigdaddyKA8 is correct, it has a C series, not a J series. I got the years mixed up.

JBlueCLS6

iTrader: (2)

Completely unrelated... but Civic who is the chick in your avi and does she do porn?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Sheila Ferrari and unfortunately no

Shes supposedly an aspiring actress/singer so give it time, Im sure shell do porn eventually.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

she's got nice last name and not only last name

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)