davepro

My 87 year old dad has a 2001 Acura TL with 38,000 miles on it. I believe that the TL is his favorite car yet (and he has had a lot of cars over the years). Anyway, the Acura dealer says that he needs to have his timing belt changed (due to age, and not mileage). I believe that the manual may say 6 years or 105,000 miles for changing the belt. The dealer wants about $1200 (probably includes water pump). I suggested that he wait until about 60,000 miles, though the car will probably have about 9-10 years on it by that time. What do you guys think? Thanks for any suggestions.

JDM96specCTR

dealership = stealership lol

sistom

^agreed.

fsttyms1

Find a independent shop or try the honda dealer. Age is harder on the belt than miles.

bibledriver

Time recommendation is 7yrs (as opposed to 6) if not at 105k. Hold out for a while.

slavver01

iTrader: (3)

hold out, they just want your money!!!! hahah

seahawk

I would let it go , if it were me. Only 38,000 miles . Lots of life left . This sounds like a car that has had a good life.

davepro

Thanks everyone for your input. I talked to my dad and we are going to let it go for the time being. When he finally decides to get it done, I am going to suggest that he shop around to reputable shops before getting the work done. Thanks!

russianDude

Given such a low millage, it shouldn't be a problem if he pushes it for another 1-2 years (my mechanic actually told me that) I have only 60K miles on my 2001 CLS, so I planing to wait few more years before I do it.
I have not seen anyone on this forum complaining about timing belt breaking, so chances are extremely small,.

01tl4tl

Yes- and most of us do not have cars that sit- the killer of rubber parts and seals
And when it does break- there goes the engine- valves contact pistons and bye bye baby $4000

russianDude

7yr is not an exact science, u know, the manual has 7yr for lots of things (over protective) low millage (60-70K) and 8-9yr will do nothing to the belt. but you can always say "what if", but again, chances are extremely small.
what if it breaks within 105K/7yr? Does it mean its a good idea to change it before that, just in case?

FuzzyNutz

I have a '99 with about 90k on it. Never thought much about the timing belt. I'm pretty sure my mechanic said it was good at about 55k when he checked it before I bought it. Is the inspection/replacement considered a DIY? If so, anyone know the link for it?

(and no,.. I haven't searched for it yet. I just stumbled into this thread and it got me thinkin')

russianDude

I'd replace it, as your car gets close to 10 years its a good idea to replace the timing belt regardless the millage.
I believe inspection is costly, you'd be better off replacing. the belt is only ~$40, but labor will cost you $400+. I think to look at it, they have to do 90% of the labor, so most people just replace it

Eisenhulk

145k on my 99 and I still haven't changed the timing belt.

adamlee05

That not something to about. Its not like your timing belt is an old Atari or something that still works. realize that piece of rubber is under constant abuse and is almost 10 years old under constant strain for the last 145K miles.

I mean I have a 2000 TL with 158K on original TB as well, I just dont have the money to have it replaced yet, but when I do its gonna be done.

As for the car on topic, personally I'd change it just becuase of age. No use saying "well, I can PROBABLY go longer on it" becuase if you do and it snaps, you'll wish you'd done it. No use taking chances with your engine if they can be avoided, thats my

99BamaTL

Personally, I think the way the car is driven has a lot to do with timing belt stress. I'm sure your dad isn't running at red line a lot. My 99 is still running on the factory belt and it will turn 174,000 in the next day or two. I'm probably going to change mine myself in the near future. I found an independent Honda/Acura repair shop that will do it for $800 including changing the water pump.

FuzzyNutz

I just checked with three independent shops in my area (one of which I have experience with and trust). They all quoted me from $1,000 to 1,200 for timing belt, tensioner, and water pump. That kills me. I just got my car paid off and now I need to shell out that kind of money for maintenance? The last car I had (Mitsu. Eclipse) was $200 to replace the TB.

Screw it,.. when I hit 100k I'll do it myself.

russianDude

you worry too much, if you have less than 100K miles, you can easy push it for 9-10 years. I got this advice from a mechanic I trust. Another thing, for Acura CL/TL 2000+ models, there is no single reported case (on this forum) for the timing belt snapping. So this is a clue on the quality of our belts. Not that it matters, my previous car (Toyota Camry) was 13 years old with 190K miles with the ordinal belt, it never broke.
Not that I am suggesting an abuse, but if you have low miles, and your car is 7 year old, you can wait few more years without any problems.

russianDude

Sounds high, I was quoted in $400 range for labor (if I supply my own parts)

Eisenhulk

Thanks, dad!!!

fsttyms1

Many have got quoted less than that from the dealer. Honda dealers would charge less than acura dealers. You should be in the 600 range from a independent shop (800-1k is what you should expect from the dealer)

fsttyms1

I have a serious problem with Age on a rubber timing belt. I would rather drive a car with 300k on it than a car with 30k and 10 years. AGE and rubber dont mix.
I do agree that worring about it isnt much to concern me, but i would be cautious with those closing in on 8and 10 years over miles

russianDude

cool, btw, is this a part number for a tensioner that needs to be replaced with the timing belt:

14520-P8E-A01 ADJUSTER, AUTOMATIC
here is the link
acura

01tl4tl

Old tires are a godd example for this thread- just look at some with cracks and thinkn about the timing belt!
Wife went 175k miles on the 90 Integra with no new belt- then the belt shredded and so went the motor with it! poof gone!

russianDude

1. I bet Integra 90 owners manual had lower miles than 105K for timing belt. Only in late 90's manufactures started recommending 105K change, it used to be 60K.
2. Not knowing how many years on original belt (10+? ), 175K miles is a big abuse.
3. Integra is not CL/TL generation

FuzzyNutz

Just got another quote, this time from the Acura dealership. They want 1400 for the 105k service which includes timing belt, water pump, tensioner, oil change, trany oil change, spark plugs, etc..

Good news is that the dealer said that out here in Cali, the timing belts can go to 105k easy because comparitively the weather out here is fairly mild and the belts tend not

FuzzyNutz

Just got another quote, this time from the Acura dealership. They want $1400 for the 105k service which includes timing belt, water pump, tensioner, oil change, tranny oil change, spark plugs, etc..

Good news is that the dealer said that out here in Cali, the timing belts can go to 105k easy because comparatively the weather out here is fairly mild and the belts tend not to go through such temperature extremes like some areas might.

I guess I'll wait some more.

derrick

My car sees all 4 seasons (winters go down to -10 F before wind-chill and summers can hit 100 F) so there is extreme variation in temperature (and humidity). My car approaches 80,000 miles shortly. I anticipate 100,000 miles next year some time. Car was bought in 2001. I will definitely get it changed at the 100k miles mark.

I don't have the tech savvy of fsttyms1 so I wouldn't know how to check the belt directly, so it's off to get the timing belt (and water pump) changed at that time. For US$1000, consider that insurance that our engine does not get destroyed due to the timing belt. You'll pretty much only have to do it once (maybe twice) in the lifetime of the car. (Guess it doesn't hurt when the car is a business expense, I suppose ... )

fsttyms1

Shit you can do that here as well. age has more to do with the changing than miles. I had 200k on mine and side by side with the new you couldnt tell the 2 apart

fsttyms1

Supply a place for me to sleep and a few beers and ill come show you how and replace it for you.

AcuraBuddy

well if it was me I might even change it but I would go to a local shop since it costs 3 times less plus they can give you a second opinion.

Eisenhulk

Maybe I'm reaching on this, but here goes.

Depending on where you're located in Cali, wouldn't you think that the salt in the air from the ocean would have an effect on belts, hoses, etc? I know when I'm in Florida on the Gulf, you see cars with the black plastic bumpers and they're faded beyond repair due to the "salty air."

Anybody see where I'm going with this?

Eisenhulk

What kind of beer do you want?

typeS_in_TX

I don't understand why Japanese cars use belts? Why don't they just use timing chains like domestic cars do, then, you'll NEVER have to change it. A timing chain doesn't cost that much more than a belt....

acutee

Timing belt can sustain a higher speed rate and still maintains the smooth, quietness, and more accurate of the timing that the timing chain can; and the drawback is that we have to change the timing belt out in a period of time. Where timing chain you can ignore its uncomfortable drawbacks and keep on driving.

01tl4tl

Metal timing chains wear out by stretching, which then allows the timing of all the interlocked moving parts to mismatch- similar to us shredding the belt
Nothing last forever- especially lifetime warranty parts!!!

bibledriver

Just out of curiosity, Can anybody confirm that these are even interference engines? I know the 4 bangers are, however, I am under the impression that the J series are not. Anybody know for certain anything otherwise?

01tl4tl

Oh YES
These are bend the valves and try to shove them into the pistons engines!!
zero tolerance is an understatement- thats why Acura set 105 for the replace
Sure Kris and many others use the safety margin built in beyond that number,
and depending if the car sat or was driven all the time affects the rubber belt.
You could NEED one sooner or later than that.
My wife got 175 on the Integra belt-shredded and popped the motor

Based on your avatar I will guess you understand suck burn bang BLOW!!!!!

Do you run JP5?

bibledriver

JP8. However, Your wife's integra is the four banger! Sure thing these are interference? That's the case then I think I need to jump on mine, just because I don't know if it has or not (scared)! Now, where to find the time . . .

russianDude

can anyone confirm that this is the part number (from acura parts) of the tensioner everyone is talking about (the one you replace with the timing belt)?

14520-P8E-A01 ADJUSTER, AUTOMATIC