Do I need a new timing belt?
 

2014 RDX cold starting (has gotten quieter after changing the oil this week).

Does this sound like I need a new timing belt? How do I know (what does the shop look/listen for?)

Also, if you have any recommendations for the Houston area (NW area of town specifically) it would be appreciated.

How many miles on the odometer? It does sound louder than I would expect but hard to say without knowing mileage and ambient temp. Officially the TB would be replaced when a "4" appears in the maintenance minder, but a general rule of thumb is 7 years or 105K miles. Also you aren't going to be able to hear when the TB needs to be replaced. What you may hear is the valves needing adjustment or the serpentine belt tensioner "complaining."

OP. We need more info. Milage, ECT.

It could be that you're just running a better quality oil filter now that is less restictive, or at least, that's what some Hyundai owners report when it comes to being quiet with an oil change.

What type of noise were you hearing? A TB would usually be a rattle at idle that sounds like rubber flapping super fast at a light rev in park or neutral.

That's the sound we heard when starting it cold. I am going to get it replaced next week because I don't want my wife out and about and it go bad on her. A mobie mechanic can get it done (including belts, pulley, tensioner, water pump, and thermostat) for $900.
It has about 97,000 miles on it.

A '14 with 97K miles, I think you're wise to go ahead and do the major service. Anecdotally - I'm far from an expert - mine with similar age/miles was sounding a lot like yours' (though maybe not quite as loud, hard to judge) before I replaced TB, etc, last month. It is much, much quieter now. Hope it works out that way for you. That price is $150 better than I paid at Honda dealer in Jax.

Thx.

It sounds like a tensioner that is worn out. Have you removed the serpentine belt?

No, I haven't done anything (NOT a mechanic). Have a mechanic coming by next Tues to replace timing belt, tensioner, water heater, etc ($900), to make sure its fixed so my wife isn't stranded while out and about.

oldguard60, did the TM, tensioner replacement solve the noise issue?

Recent TB replacement at Acura dealership fixed the issue for my wife's 2015 RDX 90K. Hope the same for anyone else with a similar issue.