I just joined this forum today towards enriching myself with more knowledge of my newly acquired 2005 Acura RL. Got it for $5,700 (which was I think fair).

The car has 113,300 and had all the required maintenance done at this point i.e., spark plugs change, transmission fluid flush, coolant flush, serpentine belt changed, oil change and new tires etc. Has a clean history with no accident or salvage or flood etc. Only thing that was not done is timing belt and water pump change. These two items were changed 8 years ago when the car had 25,500 miles (due to age factor since it was not driven that much in over 7 years at that time).

Now I checked around the price for timing belt and water pump change.

A. The local Acura dealer quoted $1,080 for timing belt change with just the inspection of water pump (not changing it). Of course, if they think it needs to be changed then that will add, I guess, additional $300 (or so) to the total. Taxes are additional.
B. Local Brakes Plus wants $1,100 (including tax) for the timing belt and water pump OR $675 (including tax) for timing belt only.
C. One of the local Honda dealers has offered to change the timing belt and water pump for $800 (including tax).

From the mileage point, I could wait and change the timing belt as well as water pump at 130,000 but from the age perspective, it due now. So which one should I follow? And also, is $800 (with tax) a fair price for the job?

Thank you so much!

 

Welcome aboard! Add transfer case and rear differential fluid to the list!

 

Isss naaaiice800$ with parts included in the bill is cheap.
About 6-8 hours jobBest to read and learn how to do everything yourself.
Acura is not audi or some other euro trash but still will cost you money if u go to shops. I drove some hondas up to 220k with original belt. Don't recommend taking such chances . Fixing cars at home has become much easier. There is a video for everything on youtube. Take your time and don't rush. There is even a video in how to wipe your own ass.very good choice of rl. Classic v tec inside.

When I started I had to read chilton manuals and things like that. Time consuming.

 

Welcome! Nice and clean inside. If you need the center armrest cover replaced, there's an eBay guy in Texas (Brownsville?) who does a very nice job reupholstering the parchment color with real leather (the OEM is cheap vinyl).

I agree with both of the comments above. The timing belt is rubber, which like tires eventually decomposes, so it's affected by time as well as miles. So although it's no emergency and the belt has a reputation for outliving its specified life, you're wise to stay on top of it. And yes, I agree $800 is a good price and a Honda dealer is a fine place to do the work (it's exactly the same job as the J Series V6 in Honda models).

Finally, although a Honda dealer should do this automatically, that job also includes a new belt tensioner.

 

Many thanks for keeping me on the right path in terms of keeping my RL in top form. I have scheduled an appointment for timing belt and water pump change next Monday for $800 (tax included). As for the differential fluid, that was already changed by the previous owner two months ago. So, as per Acura guidance, when timing belt and water pump are changed everything will be at par.

 

Can you send me a link for the guy on eBay that does the armrest?

 

A honda/acura specialist quoted me $1200 to do the timing belt, water pump, pulley, and associated seals. Spark plugs are an additional $200.

My timing belt is 12 years old with 146K miles. I don't know how old the spark plugs are but they don't look too bad and I get up to 28 mpg on the open freeway.

 

$800 is a great price, welcome to the club man

 

I just seen your posts, I would have recommended to change it yourself if u have tools and a basic understanding of cars, ericthecarguy has a great video of removal and install of belt, pulleys, and water pump as well as all the removal of p.s pump and motor mounts, I completed this job a couple months ago taking a Sunday to do the job nice and easy , but I think 800 with parts and labor included is a pretty good price. Nice car man !👌but for anyone buying there own to diy, I recommend getting the AISIN KIT, there are several knock off "Honda" ones sold on Amazon and eBay with poor quality, AISIN is the OEM manufacturer.

 

I absolutely second Jodey's comment about auto parts sellers to avoid for important mechanical components like these.

 

Does the engine mount need to be removed? I'm thinking about DIY but if I can find a Honda dealer to do it for 800 I would be ecstatic.

 

Yes in order to remove the belt but the mount is easy enough with the car in jack stands, use the jack to support the engine with either wood or a towel to cushion the contact point, the mount is 3 bolts total I believe, u may find ur mount has separated tho like I did, but I put it back as it is and will replace soon

 

Replied to your message, gmfeny. Sorry I didn't see yours sooner.

 

Many, many thanks to everyone for help/insight.

 

Replied to your message, gmfeny. Sorry I didn't see yours sooner.

 

Is it ok to support the engine at the oil pan? I'm thinking may not be a good idea because the pan's gasket could be squished and leak.

Did you use an impact to remove the crank bolt? I don't know what the torque specs are for the crank bolt but I have an electric impact rated 300 lbs ft.

 

Where are you located?

 

Are you asking OP or me?

 

W84m....