2003 TL - S

Ok, so after doing some research, I found a mechanic that does work on the side out of his garage on the weekends. The guy has been a mechanic for 20+ years and was a Acura master tech for 6 years at a big local Acura dealer - now he's a foreman at a local shop. I've spoken to him several times over the phone and he seems very honest and friendly. I also googled him and his private "shop" and there were a couple of very positive reviews about him - the only negative I saw was that he was only available to do work on weekends.

He told me that he would replace the timing belt and water pump for about $350.00, including parts - which is $650 less than the dealer and about $500 less than the local shops around here will do it for. I also specifically asked him about the tensioner and he said that he's done so many of them (timing belt jobs) and that the tensioners are hydrolic so they typically last much longer, usually 200k. He said he would take a look at the tensioner and if he thought it would need to be replaced, he would do it.

So, what do you guys think? Am I risking here or does this seem like a good deal?

 

there is a person in the northern va area that works out of his garage and honestly i would trust him more than any dealerships ... so i would say if u say the guy has good reviews go for it

 

hmm iwhere are you located?

 

I'm in the Philly suburbs, the mechanic's shop is right off I95 in South Philly. You're in NYC? He's less than a 2 hour drive from NYC,

 

It sounds like you've done your research and the man knows what he's doing. If he can properly answer your questions, communicates to you well and has a few good references then I don't see the problem with allowing him to do the work. I would simply feel better myself watching him complete the job to know it was done well, and maybe even learn the process myself. I'd say go for it

 

No mechanic is going to want the customer sitting over their shoulder watching. No matter how good the mechanic is. Its an annoying situation and can make the mechanic nervous and has a greater chance of making a mistake. If you have checked the guy out and he checks out to be a good mechanic. Let him do the work. All you have to ask for is the old parts back to make sure that he did replace the old with new.

 

$350 is a hell of a deal. My fiancee just got her timing belt done on her '04 Accord. That included new drive belts, new timing belt (obviously), new water pump, new tensioner (needed), and coolant drain and fill from the dealer. The bill with taxes was around $820 and we thought we got a deal.

 

def a good deal if you got it done at a dealership like you said..

for OP i really dont see how he can do the job for $350 including parts.... just the parts alone for the 105k service cost me $295 thru a dealer group buy on here and that def lowest price around... labor cost me another $400 so all said and done around $700..... i'd look into what he's really going to replace because theres more to it then just the timing belt and water pump... off the top of my head i replaced... timing belt, water pump, tensioner, idler bearing, serpentine belts, and prob a few other things...

 

ya, i was wondering the same thing. there's gotta be something he's not going to change out that you're not aware of

 

Considering the guy was an Acura tech, Im sure he is able to get parts at cost. If he can the 350 is a good deal for him as well. Remember, a lot of these mechanics have been doing this crap from years, and the J series motor has been around far too long. If he is as good a mechanic as others say he is, he can probably get this done with his eyes closed and still do it in 2 hours.

Also, some people are just nice and are willing to help someone out even if they dont make a huge profit.

Case in point: I was at the bank one time in the parking lot looking for a space to park, the guy in front of me starts backing up and I honk and he doesnt stop. He hit my car and we pulled around the corner to assess the damage. There was none. I was a little dirty from working on my car that day and he asked if I was a mechanic, I told him I was as a hobby. He asked if I can take a look at his car cause it smells funny and is overheating. The reason he was at the bank to begin with was to get money to get his car fixed.
He had a cracked radiator and I gave him my number and told him to buy a radiator and I would install it for him. He called me and came to my house with the radiator and I replaced it for him...... FOR FREE. Why? Out of the kindness of my heart

 

Parts replacemements sounds to me was his suggestions. If you want all parts to be replaced as peace of mind, i am sure he can do it all as long as you can pay for the extra costs. 350 is hella deal.

As for dealers, for safety and reliable work, they have to replace them all when they are in there. If they pick and choose what to replace and if that one old part fails later causing the engine damage, guess who is getting blamed, dealers. Their price is high, but what they replaced for timing belt work is right; it is not not-needed. It is not like they suggested us to re-paint the car when doing timing belt work.

How we think is when everything runs smoothly, we think we got ripped off, and if something fails, we think they didn't do it right or they didn't tell us or they should have done it. we want it all but dont want to pay. I am not saying their price is good, but I dont blame them for what they have to do. Of course there are shady dealers out there that can't wait to rip you off when they can.

 

All he is replacing is the timing belt and the water pump - he said both parts would cost about $100.00 He's not replacing the tensioner or any other belts, etc. He said that when he was in there, he would look at everything and if he thought anything else was in need of replacement he would let me know and do it.

So I'm basically guessing the guy pays himself about $50 an hour, if he gets the job done in 5 hours - which is probably a lot more than he was making at his shop. Not bad for side work, imo.



Wow, that was really awesome of you, two thumbs up!

 

the problem with the tensioners and rollers is they may look ok today--and in 6 months take a dive--perhaps the tension being released and put back on does them in (my guess) but expecting them to go another 100,000 miles--thats crazy talk - IMO

spend the 100- 150 and have peace of mind and a properly done job

Plenty of pics on azine of rollers or tensioners leaking slightly--on cars with under 105!!
Its simply not worth the risk to save a buck

thats like not replacing the water pump with t belt--pump is the last part you can reach--and its behind the timing belt so when it does fail--pay all the same labor again

In terms of engine operation- the wp is the heart,,no coolant flow-siezing of wp and snapping of timing belt with that!!! = oops
low coolant flow is looking for engine death-severe internal temp issues

the oil would be the blood in this analogy--keep it clean and free of artery clogging trans fats~ Do a colon cleanse now and then (seafoam in oil)

dealers are looking to get work in the door- will say anything to make that hapen--its called lowballing the estimate
they dont care if the engine blows 6 months later- past 90 days and its no warranty on that past work--and they will have documentation saying it looked ok, or that you declined additional needed parts = they are off the hook

Its up to the customer to know what you need- sad but true you must know more than the person assigned to help you

service writers are usually NOT techs or limited tech background--
their job is to make SALES calls of auto repairs-
first: become your newest bestest buddy in 5 minutes at drop off-
call you back with revised estimate--up several hundred dollars and often mysteriously close to the remaining limit on your credit card~ (according to many customers)
of course your new buddy wouldn't be effing you big time right--they seem so trustworthy so you approve the extra $400 for this, 200 for that, and they are throwing in a 200 bonus for only 100--what a great guy!!!
(they go to classes for all this- no kidding)
(guess how I know--from my past~)

 

This sounds like a great deal and if you've done your homework on the guy, I'd risk it for that price.

One caution is the parts. I would definitely inspect the parts before he begins the work as the price for cheap parts is so significantly lower than OEM. I'm not suggesting he's crooked, but I would feel way more comfortable if I saw all those nice new parts boxes with Honda stickers on them. I'd feel even more secure if I got back all those nice new boxes with my old parts in them !

Keep in mind, once the parts are installed, you won't know for sure what parts actually got installed (other than if you stand there and watch him). We've seen a Ziner's engine blow 10K after replacing the timing belt.

Trust but verify........Pres. Ronald Regan

 

you should definitely replace the belts regardless of what he says... not worth the risk. And ask him if he uses OEM Honda/Acura parts. This is the service you do NOT want to cheap out on...