I have a '99 TL with 150,000 miles on it. Though I kept up with regular maintenace, the timing belt snapped on me the other day. All things considered I doubt it is worth repairing since that could cost upwards of 3000$. Does anybody have any recomondations on what I can do with it? I would guess that somebody should be able to give me about 2K for the body ?? Where should I start calling ?

 

Buy a used engine on ebay or local junk yard.

Ok whats up with the large font??

 

How badly did it hurt the engine? Oh - and what did it sound like? (starting to cringe already)

See, Kris - you dodged a bullet on this one!

 

more information please...how fast were you going? sound? were you accelerating? i guess your engine is a total loss? sorry to hear that happend to you

 

I was driving on the highway, so in order to get off the highway I had to drive the car about 1/4 mile (with a choking sound) before it finally stalled out and stopped. Car will not start now, so I thought it was safe to assume engine damage. Does anybody think I shoul consider repair / a new engine? I just don't know if it's really worth it?

 

Like others have already mentioned, your driving conditions at the time the belt broke will determine whether or not the engine is shot. I had timing belt break on my 1990 Accord a few years back, but I was only coasting at 20 mph when it happened, so my engine was fine; I just had to have a new belt put on and I was ready to go . I know, that's a different engine with different tolerances, but I used it as an example to show that broken timing belt does not always equal dead engine. Good luck!!

EDIT: I see you posted while I was typing the message above. The engine will not start while the belt is broken. But that does not mean the engine is shot.

 

Go to: http://www.car-part.com/ and look for a motor in your area if you want to replace it

 

I just checked out car part - thanks! Pretty cool stuff. Is this something that I would have the dealer install, or would they charge a rediculus price? Should I try to find a local mechanic that woud perform the work for me? Does anybody have any idea what it would run for the labor of actually replacing an engine?

 

That's a tough one. If you go to a dealership make sure it's a good one! You don't want them to start charging you for stuff you don't need done. It's going to cost you more there anyway. Part of me says take it to a local garage that you can trust. It would be much less $$$, but they could pull the same crap on you. Make sure they have a clue about Hondas/Acuras too.

Anyway, with this type of repair just be very careful...no need to replace the engine if you don't have to! Good luck.

 

case80, did you have your timing belt changed before? at what mileage?? i have a '99 as well, with 100K, and i'm wondering b/c i haven't changed my timing belt yet...

 

Some guys on here have had good luck on here (200K on the original belt). Personally at 100K I would change it. To me it's not worth the risk. Look at the possible damage from a snapped belt. I think the $$$ spent on preventive maintenance out weighs the risk and worring about "What if it breaks?"

 

I had the belt changed at 90k, so I'm actually surpized it could have gone already. I would absolutely recomend you change them frequently

 

You had it changed at 90k and it went at 150k? Something is seriously wrong..... You better verify that it is actually the timing belt. Also who changed it?

 

it could be other parts that caused the belt to snap. Just like the 2nd gen water pump recall that can cause the belt to fail prematurely.

 

Nah. Ive seen timing belts go at under 50k too.

I would pick up a used engine and have a independant shop install it. Its a very easy install on the honda. I just picked up a type-s motor for 800 bucks with under 36k miles. Shop around

 

If you are gonna call it a total loss, and not even bother with it, let me know if you have any performance parts in there and if you are considering selling them..... I just got a 99 TL a few weeks ago, and am looking for just about anything... just ordered an AEM intake online.

 

its not typical for Honda/Acura to have timing belt go before 100K miles.
He is not even certain that it was caused by breakage of timing belt.... This is the first time I hear that timing belt breaks on Honda after only 50K miles. It either must be an isolated incident, or problem with something else....

 

His had 150k on it. I was just making a statement that a timing belt can break whenever.

 

Either get a new engine or valve job

 

He had 150k on it, but the belt was changed at 90k. So there's only 60k on this belt.

I hope it turns out to be something else!

 

Guess i miss read that part.

 

You said you drove an additional 1/4 mile until the engine finally gave up. If the belt snapped at highway speeds, shouldn't you have heard and felt loud metallic crashing sounds? I'm pretty sure the TL is a head/block interference engine, so moreover, the engine should have failed immediately, and you would have coasted to a stop all the while listening to broken valve bits dancing in-sync to the reciprocating pistons driven by the remaining momemtum left in the drive-locked tranny.

Basically, you wouldn't have been able to "drive" that 1/4 mile with a broken timing belt. I'm only suggesting that you might have a different problem. Or maybe I'm wrong, and you already visually verified a broken timing belt. Then you might be fortunate enough to still have an intact engine since the car came to a stop "peacefully" without any loud drama.

Well, good luck.

 

You are correct. The TL motor is a Interference motor. If it had broke, you wouldnt have driven another 1/4 mile. on it broken

 

what should one do when their belt snaps to avoid most damage?? put it in nuetral and just coast?

god damn acuras are badly built....im at 107k i should probably look into replacement. is there a way to visually inspect the belt and determine its condition?

 

Nothing can be done.
And no they arent badly built. Ther among the best built engines made

 

Omg, i didnt know the timing belt was so important..... If it breaks at a high speed, it can cause that much damage?

i have 75k miles on it my 2000TL. when do i know when to change the belt?...and how much does it cost to replace one? when i went to my local mechanic..he said that it would cost about $300...is this a good price?

How much would it cost to replace one at an Acura Dealership...and would it be better getting it from there?

 

Buy a 6speed cls motor and trans with a 3.5 stroker.

 

So you guys don't think that it's the belt, but the acura dealer does. Do you think they are pulling one over on me? It makes a choking sound when i try to start it, but it does not turn over. FYI faydOiInspire that is a great price for a timing belt. The dealer will charge 800 or so and most local mechanics charge at least 350$ This is my third Acura, so I've had several replaced. Don't hesitate

 

If it brakes at any speed it will cause damage and most likely destroy the motor

Do you hear any thing hitting or banging? pull off the timing belt inspection covers to see if the T-Belt is indeed broke.

 

Timing belt has nothing to do with your engine not turning over....what do you mean chocking sounds if the engine isnt turning or valving supposing the T-belt is gone??? Has the acura dealer looked at the car?

...you better hope is the timing belt that broke...if there's dammage and you need a new head (JUNKYARD!), then so be it otherwise you might have to get another engine. LOOK UNDER YOUR HOOD, examine and post up what you find man. we'll help out

 

At this point the car is at the dealer so I can't look at it, but they tell me that the belt snapped and damaged the valves. They are quoting me $8000 (not 800) for repairs. At this point I just want to walk from the damn thing. What do you you think I should ask for trade in value. I was going to ask $3000 since I know that a qualified mechanic can repair the thing. Thanks!

 

Get a USED engine and have a independant shop put it in. You should be looking at 2k or less

 

Why bother fixing it, if its cheaper to buy a used engine and get it installed.

 

^^ i agree with them. You can definetly find a used engine around $1500 and have a shop install it reasonably enough under a thausand.

but for $8000 you can buy another TL!! have you asked how much will the dealer give you for your '99?

 

Yeah, the dealer is offering me $1500 on a trade for the car. I really think I should be getting 3000$ for it.

 

It turns out now that it was'nt the timing belt at all. Apparently a spark plug overheated and melted in the cylendar. The dealer never looked at the engine until I got the service manager involved. It still requires and engine replacement, but it's amazing at how unresponsive they were to me.

 

Damn, that suck guy! I have an 01' CL-S, and when my first tranny went, they replaced my Timing belt & water pump at the time they replaced the tranny. All at the expense of Hondo Corp! LOL

 

DUDE! i love you avatar! and that comment! it is so nicely worded!

 

Sounds like pre ignition. A bad EGR valve can do this.

Also a second opinion would be good.

 

Have the even inspected that? Sounds like they dont know what they are doing. And makes me wonder if maybe all you need is a new head or something easy?