abeey02

I get my regular service done at the acura dealer and they are after me to get the timing belt changed at arount $1100.00. The car has only 56K miles and per the manual the timing belt needs to be replaced at 105K.
The logic they give is that Acura suggests timing belt replacement at 105K or 7 years. Since the car is over 7 years I should get the timing belt replaced soon.

Please advise...

twistedwedge

You could visually inspect it-sometimes rubber tends to dry rot. That is the reason for the "..or 7 years." Has the car ever sat for an extended period of time? Thats awfully low miles for an '01.

DasTeknoViking

I have seen some dry rotted 2000 belts come through our shop... cars with 30K miles.

I had a 97 RL with 35K miles come in for a belt and that thing looked like it was ready to give.

I say get it done, its a small price to pay vs valve replacement @ 3K dollars.

fsttyms1

With the age of the car i would say yes. Age plays a larger effect on the rubber belts than mileage.

abeey02

The car never sat idle. It is just that the work place was close so it never put on miles.
I asked the acura service to tell me if the timing belt seemed worn out. They said it was not visible so they could not look if it is worn or not.

mklaudt

Find a good independent mechanic. They should be able to replace it for half the cost including water pump (may as well since they are there, although you could argue at your mileage may not need to replace the pump). Belt is difficult to inspect without taking things apart.

twistedwedge

I agree ^^^ Have it done...the peace of mind is worth the ~600 a reputable local shop charges for the job. I had mine done @122K for 626 and change. You dont have to take it to Acura for the job. (They quoted me 1600.)

SodaLuvr

Just have it done. Age is probably more damaging than miles.

Make sure you replace the timing belt, water pump, both drive belts, the hydraulic tensioner, all six spark plugs, coolant and perform a complete valve adjustment. You can get all of this done at a Honda dealership for about $1200.

acc252

had 87,000 miles on my 99tl when I had the timing belt/acc. belt/ and water pump replaced. Mechanic said belt looked fine and could have probably lasted another 20 to 30 thousand miles but why risk it.

ChrisQ1980

x2

abeey02

Is it worth paying an independent/reliable mechanic to take mimimal parts apart only to check for sure if the timing belt acutually needs to be replaced?
If yes then which is a good place to buy OEM Acura Timing belt & water pump etc.

01tl4tl

If you take the covers off you still cant see all possible damage and wear-DRY ROT to the belt, it has to be bent backwards to expose the area of most wear---

there is no way to say a belt will last xx miles longer,,it may look ok today but fail next month--a broken belt results in massive internal engine damage in the amount of $2800

Deal with the fact it should be done soon- short trips are the hardest on the car

Change the brake fluid and ps fluid now as well

A good private shop that specializes in honda-acura can be found in the phone book under Auto repairing

bonknhead

I have 97k on my TL-S, so I called a shop that only works on Hondas and Acuras, and only uses genuine Honda parts, and he quoted me $560 for timing belt/water pump/related parts replacement, so I'm having my brake fluid replaced too for another $40. Appointment is tomorrow.

The local Acura dealer quoted me $1200.

twistedwedge

Thats a good deal! Well worth the 600 your going to spend.

abeey02

Is there a good mechanic specializing in Acura/Honda in Virginia in Loudoun/Fairfax county. Any help is appreciated.

Also is it worth buying OEM parts for Acura that are to be replaced over the web and have the mechanic put those instead of local ones. I need front rotors and pads as the car shakes when i apply brakes. The acura dealer wants to resurface the rotors but i feel it may be better to replace them. Any thoughts?

Which is a good dealer online to purchase OEM parts?

Are the brake rotors and brake discs synonymous?

SodaLuvr

Premium aftermarket rotors such as NAPA Ultra Premium or Raybestos Advanced Technology are better than the OE ones. Premium aftermarket pads are just as good-- I would go with Hawks or Raybestos Advanced Technology.

Brake rotors and brake discs are synonymous.