Quick question: I am selling my 2005 RL with 40,000 miles on it. I had a potential buyer look at it, then we negotiated a price. He calls me back telling me that a dealer had said that the timing belt must be replaced at 7 years (this spring). The dealer I use had previously told me to expect the MID to give me a code 4 (I think) at around 100k when I asked about the belt.
So, I tell the buyer to call my dealer (which he does) on a three-way call. Initially, my dealer says to go off the MID, and maybe if after 10 years it might be a good idea to change it. After the buyer said "well the other dealer said to change in 7 years..." my dealer changed his tune, and said "to be safe you could change it in 7...". So the buyer says, "which is it? 7 or 10?" The dealer responds, "7".
Needless to say, I was ticked off and the buyer walked after I wouldn't budge on our agreed upon price.
As a side note, the owners manual makes no reference to any kind of timeframe, just the MID.
So, who's right? Is the dealer just trying to sell a $900 service and saying "to play it safe", or does the belt need to be changed at 7 years?
I know the older Acuras had the 7 year requirement. What about the newer ones?
Thanks for letting me rant!

 

That's a tough one. I can understand the need to change fluids after periods of time, but to me, belts seem like their use will affect their life much more than their age. You have a good deal on it already. Someone will come along and pick it up. If they are concerned they will do the belt.

 

Find a new buyer and save yourself the head ache.

 

^doesnt sound like he has a choice. I have also been told about the 7 year thing, but I think that's more of a CYA thing on the part of Acura.

 

The only way to ensure the status of that belt is to visually inspect it.

 

Rubber deteriorates over time. chinging the belt every 7 years is a good thing to do if you want to ensure the health of the engine.

 

That particular buyer was (BLEEEEEEP) looney; Whether dealer recommends 7 or 10 year has nothing to do with your car. That is something new buyer will need to add in when buying your car. Your only thing is to sell your car as "used car with no warranty" - therefore, if someone does not like the price "OH WELL - tough love" - they can pass on that deal then.
Honestly, that buyer would tick me off so bad that I would refuse to sell him a car and send him his way (to dealership). If he does not like what you are selling he is not forced to buy.

On another hand, any dealer you call and ask that question will tell you "you should change the timing belt" because they think you will get the car and run to them to do the timing belt replacement right there - so they can make money.

I see the 7 year point - but OMG - that has nothing to do with the seller but the buyer; if he does not like it - kick him out of the deal and find another buyer - SIMPLE!

PS (thank you for letting me rant too)!

 

I used to have this 2001 Accord timing belt. I'm sure it was the same requirement. Anyways, I changed the timing belt in 2010 at 88k and it was still in like new condition. It prob can last another 12000 miles. Almost a decade without changing it.

 

Thanks for your replies. . . probably should have told him to get lost, but the market here in SLC is apparently rather soft. The guy called back yesterday, and I sold it. The RL is a fantastic car, but it was a luxury that didn't coincide with my goal to pay off my home. Maybe someday I'll get another.

 

For the same price hopefully? That was already a good deal.

 

After just over 7 years, I am going to get this done. Timing belts go by age and/or time, and I've had both a Honda and Acura dealer tell me 7 years or 105k miles, I'm at 86500. Interestingly, my Acura dealer wants $1374, local meineke, who is very trustworthy, wants $1100, but a Honda dealer around the corner from wants just $679. It will be going to the Honda dealer. I figure if parts are $400 plus, paying them an extra $250 is a pretty good deal.

 

So just out of curiosity, every Honda I have had, whenever I changed the timing belt, I also changed the water pump and the idler pulley. I think the last timing belt I had changed was on my C32 1995 Legend.

Is this still the current recommendation for the J series V6? I can't remember if the last time I had the timing belt changed, the mechanic said don't bother with the pulley, just the water pump....old age!

 

679 is a great deal just make sure they are doing all the parts including a water pump and tensioner.

 

Yeah, that is probably just what they are going to charge you for replacing just the belt, until they get in there and find the tensioner (most likely will be) is leaking and then additional time and parts for the water pump and coolant

 

I had the same convo with my guy, and I went with the better safe than sorry solution and replaced it all.

 

Add radiator hoses and radiator cap to the list too. They are too simple and cheap to be ignored and risk a blown head gasket.

At the very least, the cap should be changed every 7 years, and it only costs $5.

 

The only preventive maintenance that I will pay for are the brake pads, tire, oil, and timing belt. The other shit needs to break before I fix it; I'm not wasting money for some tech to say o.k. or not.

That said, I remember pulling their $39 per spark plug price during the timing belt change. The plug was new-like clean, and the gap was almost the same as new. So at 162K, I'm still running the original plugs.

I think the odds of a new timing belt breaking and a 125K breaking are about even no matter the age.

 

It includes water pump and coolant, of course, not sure about tensioner, but I expect they will do whatever is needed to do it properly.

 

I recently had the timing belt on my MDX done by a local Honda dealer. Came to about $750 with a new idler, oil change, tax, etc. My Acura dealer wanted around $1,400 and a local independent (good shop, I use him for other stuff) wanted around $1,100. Then, a couple of days ago I get a coupon from my Acura dealer for a $749 timing belt change. Imagine how angry I would have been if I had just paid $1,400.

LL

 

Normally I'd advise against paying off a house especially with such low interest rates out there but in your industry I can understand. In about two years, when you land that job with a major you can get the RLX.

Good luck
(BoeingEskimoFlyer)

 

Anderson Honda on York Rd in Cockeysville, MD has a special running now---$398 for TB, water pump and fluids. $90 for a new belt tensioner, if needed

 

Only time in my life I've ever wished I lived in MD.