I have a 01 CL-S with 103k never had the timing belt changed but im thinking i should have it done. dealership wants to charge me 1100. does anyone in NY know a good mechanic or place where this can be done for cheaper? Much needed help with this.

 

Wow. If thats not a prime example of highway robbery I have no idea what is. Find a Honda specialist. I assume you already know you need to replace the water pump at the same time, right?

 

805 for the same service here in mobile, al

 

700-1200 is the going rate for the 105K service... (belt, waterpump, plugs, etc).

1100 is in the range for a dealer... 700 would be the low end for a independant shop....

Someone has the list of parts around here somewhere...

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...highlight=105K

Searching for 105K or timing belt will turn up a bunch of threads like the above...

 

$800 (Cdn) here for timing belt/water pump/and labour at a dealer. i guess that's not bad

 

Wow, thats pricey. A DIY is what it's all about here, IMHO.

 

$800-$850 plus tax, Park Ave Acura in Maywood, Nj, right across the bridge. I got an independent quote for "$750-$800 plus tax". For the extra $50, gonna have it done by the people who know how to do it.

 

Of course, your experience will vary with dealership to dealership and tech to tech but I have to say that the dealership are not the "people who know how to do it" but more like the "people who should know how to do it and advertise that they know how to do it".

I say this because I've had mildly bad experiences with the Acura folks breaking some plastic covers on my car (right over the radiator) and not even telling me. I had to notice and complain.

Sometimes a mechanic doesn't need an acura or ASE logo to know what he/she is talking about. just my 0.02

 

You're right, I'm sure a competent indy could handle it, but I'm still pissed from two bad experiences with two separate shops.

When I had my brakes replaced by a guy I trust, he wired the emergency brakes way too tight to the point where the whole car was shaking when it got over 35mph, after i had applied and released the emergency. He also miscalibrated them, to the point where i heard this constant whistling sound from the driver rear tire.

Second, blown headlight, they swap out the lamp and it still won't work. Guy had no clue about the fuse inverter, which was really what gave out. So I ended up paying $200 for a lamp which may not have needed replacing.

Both times I had to take it to a dealer to clean up what other guys had done, so this go-round I figure I'll save myself the second trip.

 

You're right, I'm sure a competent indy could handle it, but I'm still pissed from two bad experiences with two separate shops.

When I had my brakes replaced by a guy I trust, he wired the emergency brakes way too tight to the point where the whole car was shaking when it got over 35mph, after i had applied and released the emergency. He also miscalibrated them, to the point where i heard this constant whistling sound from the driver rear tire.

Second, blown headlight, they swap out the lamp and it still won't work. Guy had no clue about the fuse inverter, which was really what gave out. So I ended up paying $200 for a lamp which may not have needed replacing.

Both times I had to take it to a dealer to clean up what other guys had done, so this go-round I figure I'll save myself the xtra trip.

 

I hacve the same year 01 s-type with the exception of 117k. I was given a price of 700. I have not replaced it yet for the only reason of always hearing that Honda's are very reliable. I have heard from various Honda / Acura owners that 200k is not uncommon on a unmodified factory engine. The only factor that needs to be factored is how the cars is driven and minor maintenance (regular oil changes and filters). I hope this answers your question.

 

Why dont u do it urself?

Its not that hard to change the timing belts on these cars. I changed it on my previous cars and it wasnt that hard..

 

Check with a Honda dealer as well. I know my Honda dealer has much cheaper rates.

 

I was just in at my dad's cousin's shop (been family run for over 70 years) getting an oil change today. When it was done, one of his son's (all 4 of them work there) gave me my key back and told me, "I know you don't need it done for quite a while but make sure you get that timing belt done right on schedule. We had a CL come in recently that had the belt snap. Bent every single valve. Cost $4200 to repair."

Hmmmm, $500-$800 or $4200, which to choose.....