NJ_CLS_driver

Hey Guys.

Well its that time for me to replace the Timing Belt, Water Pump, and Spark Plugs

How involved is it to do this myself. Acura wants about 1500 bucks.

How hard is it to do the timing belt.

How do i get to the spark plugs in the back of the engine.

Thanks

Slooo97CL

iTrader: (1)

1500 is rape. dont do that. bring it to mom and pop shops around your area get prices on everything.

ccannizz11

Whoa there! First of all, timing belts are a bitch. I wouldn't trust anyone outside the dealership or myself to do a timing belt. And I wouldn't even trust myself that much. Plus you need additional equipment to get the timing right, which equals $$$.

Spark plugs shouldn't be that hard to do yourself. I haven't done it on the CLS yet so I can't speak to the specifics, but it's been a simple job on every other car I've done it on.

That being said, $1500 sounds a little high. How much of that is parts cost? Water pumps and timing belts can be surprisingly expensive.

NJ_CLS_driver

The water pump is about 110 bucks and the belt about 40 or so.

I guess its all labor, coolant. Crap like that. I wanted the option to do myself.

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

99% of timing belt replacments are the same. Only things that differ is how you get to them. It's all labor. Alot of stuff needs to come off.

RUPNOK

How many miles on the car?

Acura dealer tried selling me on the timing belt at 65K (and the water pump at the same time, because it's 'easy to get to when the belt's off'), which is too early even on the 'severe driving' schedule in the manual/owner's link (and my car doesn't qualify for 'severe driving' anyway)...

ccannizz11

You can check the timing relatively easy, but to actually get to the belt to take it off is the hard part. That probably makes up a majority of the cost they're giving you.

If I were you, I'd have them just do the timing belt. Or do it yourself if you have the cojones. I wouldn't even worry about the water pump unless you know something is wrong with it. And I'd definitely do the spark plugs myself.

NJ_CLS_driver

I have about 113k on the car right now.

How do I get to the rear spark plugs ?

mmichel

Try a local Honda dealer. They'll have the parts and I bet they'll charge much less.

RKeatF1

Spark plug arn't hard. Just a little time consuming to reach it all/ I would not pay the dealer to do them.
Just got a price from MotorWorld in NE. PA to do my wife's belt and water pump.
They said about $600.00
So probably after New Years it will go in fo that and the Trans recall.

scalbert

Have you looked??

IMO, I would not begin to try the timing belt and/or the water pump if you need to ask about the plugs.

dgracer

Go to a different dealer, that is more than double what it should cost ($600-750). They might be itemizing the water pump r&r separate from the timing belt which they have to take off to get to the belt anyway. That is why they always say to replace the pump at the same time. You should pay for the part, not the labor for both the pump and the belt. The plugs should be an hour of labor for them tops. Let a reputable shop or another dealer do this.

minsoo0130

i got mine timiing belt replaced and water pumped for $400... they replaced with the ACURA parts too..

moomaster_99

YOU SHOULD REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AT THE SAME TIME AS THE TIMING BELT, a broken water pump can be costly....that being said, you should just get acura/honda parts.....do the plugs yourself....but you have to remove your strut tower and get a swivel piece for your socket to get the rear sparkplugs.

scalbert

Although it makes it easier, it can be done without both. In fact, I have never used a swivel, just a 6 inch extension.

Matt83076

Where did you get this done?

Brady6226

v-6 timing belts....not fun. i would for sure recomend replacing the water pump with the timing belt. but you shouldn't be charged for full labor on the water pump because they are already in there to do the timing belt. plugs no problem. did mine at home in about 20 minutes. would have been less except for the fact that a huge amount of my tools are at work and i wasn't.

Chopsie

Bulldog01 just had this done to his car not too long ago I think.

bgsm1th

Took Mine to my local Mechanic and he said that he would do the Timing belt and pump for $450. Haven't done it yet, but will within the next 6 months.
If you can find someone to do it for less than $500-$600, then I think it would be worth your money to take it in and have it done for you professionaly, but $1500 is way too high.
Good luck!
B

Cruz_msl

ou sig

very true, I just did mine this weekend. The back ones are harder, but can be done by anyone.

whiteknight

My dealer wants $205 for the 105K service - that doen't include the timing belt service, though. The other catch is that it doesn't include platinum plugs - you have to pay extra for it! Plus in order to do the timing belt, they bundle it together with a replacement of the water pump and all the other belts for like $820. So all told I'm probably looking at $1100. If I had confidence in replacing the back plugs I'd do it myself but it looks messy to get to them.

ou sig

why do people think its hard to do the spark plugs!??!?!?! it really isnt, all you need is a 6 inch extension, a 3/8 inch ratchet and a 5/8 inch spark plug socket. Not hard at all, if you dont mind putting in a very minimal amount of effort. Get the NGK Iridium IX plugs, better than the stock ones. Also find a good shop that specializes in Honda/Acura work, they will be way less than a stealer.

jkatt

would it void the 100,000 mile warranty if service is done by other than
Acura dealership?

anothercls

Usually if you have proof of the maintenance it shouldn't be a problem with the warranty.

What dealership in Jersey want'ed to charge $1500 for this service? I know Marty Sussman was showing me the price of that service and it didn't seem to be 1500, maybe 1100 or something.

95gt

Unless it is written in the warranty service is recommended. They can't make you do service to your car.

bigman

i used a swivel with and extension to get the rear plugs with no probs. I never had to remove the strut towe brace or anything. Also as for the timing, and the water pump. The belt is not that expensive, the water pump is a little expensive, but the labor is what will get you. You might as well change them at the same time.

whiteknight

I have a 6" extension and the spark plug socket. I guess I'll get the swivel and it sounds like I'm home free - thanks guys.

jfprl

Got mine done ( timing belt, water pump, acc. belt and spark plugs) for 890 OTD. (At the local Acura dealership, had to negotiate some plus coupons)

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Holy thread revival, batman

TheWeez

How long ago was that? It's not just milage but age that dictates when you should change it. Even CLs now with 60k miles on them should have it done as it's been over the 7 years recommended for the change. The rubber in the timing belt ages the same when just sitting there (in some cases more than when driven regularly). Same can be said about the water pump seals which will go even quicker with age and less mileage put on them. And they're right. You just do the water pump anyways when you do the timing belt because it's cheap and might as well while you're in there. Gonna cost just as much as the timing belt labor wise to change the water pump when it starts leaking or goes out so why not just spend an extra $40 right now to prevent it.

Good shop around town should do it for about $600.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Id agree if the post you quoted was from yesterday, but its 8 years old

TheWeez

Didn't pay any attention. Forum should lock topics more than 1 year old automatically (easy option to setup). Hate when people bump shit from the dark ages.