C The "S"

I was wondering if the timing belt snaps before the recommended 105K service interval will Acura warranty the work to fix the motor? I don't live in extreme conditions of heat or cold so I don't think I would fall under the 60k interval. I mean technically if the timing belt snaps before 105k thats a defect in the timing belt, right? Before some of you say do a search, I already did and I found nothing. By the way I have 71K on the CLS.

Also has anyone done the timing belt change themselves? And if so can you share some details, etc? Thanks in advance.

MarkSvara

Dude I don't think it's covered. I live in extreme conditions and they told me to replace now, I did and I told them I want the part. I am looking at it now and it looks brand new to me. But if it were to snap like what happened to my friend with a Honda Prelude he had to pay the $2500USD to have the entire head rebuilt. His upper cam gear broke due to a defect in workmanship and they didn't cover it so it may be in the same boat.

C The "S"

BTW my car is a CPO.

But its hard to know for sure if the dealer is lying to you or not. Has anyone actually read the Limited powertrain warranty? Its seems kinda hard to find. The Acura webpage doesn't go into detail as to what is and is not covered. As far as what I've seen in the Acura 2001 warranties booklet it doesn't say that timing belts are not covered. I really would love to get my hands on an actual limited powertrain warranty document and have it read by a lawyer. The stealers are not always right...

dallison

i don't think they replace it until 105k

joeshmoe

If the timing belt breaks and then you take it in, it's already too late. Replacing the belt is more of preventive and regular maintanence, not a repair. At least, it's dependent on the car and if it's required.

C The "S"

I know replacing the belt is preventative maintenance. But if the belts meant to break before 105k why would they have a maintenance schedule that replaces the thing at 105k? If its not meant to last that long why wouldn't they say replace at 85k. So think about it this way, if something is not meant to break before 105k and it does, wouldn't you constitute that as premature failure i.e. manufacturers defect?

JimmyTLS

At the dealership I work at, the timing belt and drive belts are recommended to be changed every 60K miles.

Dan

Dealers would have you replace them every 10,000 miles if they thought anyone would go fot it! Gots to keep the profit margin up.

C The "S"

See its recommended. But if you look in the owners manual. They say and I quote
"The timing belt should normally be replaced at the intervals shown in the maintenance schedule."

"Replace this belt @ 60,000 miles if you regularly drive your car in one or more of these conditions: In very high temperatures (over 110 degress F.) or In very low temperatures (under -20 degrees F.)"


And the replacement interval for the timing belt in the schedule is 105K.

My thing is even tires are warrantied, if they are rated for 40K and they go out at 10K usually you can get them replaced under warranty.

Can anyone post a copy of the Limited Powertrain warranty. Maybe I'm just being stupid.

MarkSvara

C The "S" you know you stumbled upon a grey area I think. I was a bit pissed when Acura Canada (Headquarters in Canada) told me you don't have to replace the timing belt until 168,000KMS (105,000Mi) but then the dealership told me that I should replace it now at 107,000KMS (67,000Mi) so do I listen to Acura Canada and take the risk? Or do I replace now? On the same note according to the dealership that I spoke with they said it's not covered however I guess if it were only 10,000K and it broke then I would say that's warranty replacement. Hmm just got a thought, think of it as tires. Same concept I guess.

MarkSvara

Oh yeah and my original belt after the replacement was in pretty good condition. No wear bars and I tried to twist the belt to break the fibreglass bands. No can do! So I guess I got Jipped!

Acura North Toronto!

03 CLS

If they recommended replacing it at 105K then it should be covered if it breaks before then.
I know when I had a ford it went out 70k like clock work. Beside unlike Ford if the timing
belt goes won't it #$%& the head?

Zippee

There is a warranty book that came with the car that has the complete power train warranty in it.

C The "S"

Thanks for all the input guys. Zippee I have the warranty booklet but for some reason it doesn't get into powertrain warranty.

MarkSvara, I had the same thought as the tires. And I feel bad for you having been bent over.

I don't mind getting it replaced but the thing is I don't want to do it prematurely. I went to the Lexus webpage and it shows that their powertrain warranty covers timing belts. I want to go ask the dealership, but they guys over here are freakin idiots. It’s a Mickey Mouse operation. About last year I had to go and get the seat belt tensioner replaced and they didn't get it done before I had to leave town, all they could get me for a loaner car was a freakin Buick Century. Man was that car hard to keep going straight.

But anyway keep the comments coming would love to hear from someone who has had their timing belt replaced under warranty.

C The "S"

Another thing has anyone ever taken off their timing belt cover to see how their belt is doing? If so would love to hear what kind of process it is to do it.

carquest

the timing belt is considered a "wear" item. its not warranted for any amount of time. i think if it were to break in the first few thousand miles then my guess is that the dealer or american honda would accept liability for it. after that, no guarantees. if it breaks before 105K oh well. you're stuck w/ it.

i'd say replace it every 50K miles or 4 years, whichever comes 1st. its mostly rubber which wears not only from milage but from time and heat cycling. given the cost of a head &/or block overhaul the cost of a timing belt every 4 years or so isn't horrible.

if you can do it on your own that's the best way to go. otherwise get quotes from the dealer and an independent shop. you can guess that the dealer will be WAY higher than the independents.

C The "S"

Carquest thanks for the input. I know that the timing belt is a wear item. But like I said before if it was designed to break before 105K then why would the scheduled maintenance be at 105k. Since the scheduled maintenance is at 105K, if the belt broke before, wouldn't that be considered a design flaw or a defect in product?

My stealer wants $700, but I have a 10% off coupon. I've got some other quotes and they range from $580 to $700.

I just think it’s messed up that a dealer would not warranty something that isn't supposed to be replaced till 105K. But then again that’s why we call them the stealer!

More input would be appreciated. I know this is a gray area like someone mentioned before, but I figure what the heck lets talk about it anyway. That’s what the forum is for anyway, right?

Shawn S

The Timing Belt is listed as a covered component in the AcuraCare extended warranty.
It’s specified as “For failure only”.
That would lead me to believe it’s covered in the basic 4YR/50K coverage, but you’re on your own after that if it fails.

Shawn S

C The "S"

Thanks Shawn, now I think we're starting to get somewhere. Still would love to see the details of a CPO Limited powertrain warranty.

efx

Thats a good point, maybe call American honda for clarification or e-mail of all pertinent docs.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Could this be an older post?