Just felt like grumbling...So I have been shopping around because it's that time to do the timing belt work. My Acura dealer (Acura at Oxmoor) says they will charge $1,200 for the whole job, and then I ask how much are the parts (timing belt, tensioner, water pump, PS belt, AC/Alt belt) and they say $627!! Im like thank you sir! Another Acura dealer about an hour away in Lexington say it will be $530 but just for the timing belt and they will inspect if the water pump, drive belts, and tensioner needs replacing of which could bring the price to about $950 (parts were $350).
Then I call the Honda dealer where I get my oil changes, and they say they can do the job for about $815, and then I ask about the parts prices, they say it's $287. Same parts but more than double the price at Acura, geez! I understand about the labor rates being different but good Lawd!
Anyways, I continued my quest calling up Honda dealers around and one of them said they do notwork on Acura cars (believe that!), oh well, and then the other two said they would gladly do the work (one of which was $630 total) but if I am interested in ordering parts I need to call an Acura dealer, they cant order me just parts or the price since they wouldnt order them for me anyway. I might take it to the $630 one, about 45mins away but might be worthwhile. So far the lowest on labor from an independent shop has been 4hours @65/hour = $260. Just havent decided if I should do the $260 plus $287 parts or just pay a lil more at the Honda dealer at $630. Either way, Im thinking Im getting the parts on Wednesday (payday!!).
Well, now that I let that out, I feel so much better! Lol

 

When i was shopping for my car i called an Acura dealership and they wanted 687 tax in for the whole job.

 

When time is due, I'm going to DIY. and with the $$$$ saved i'm buying a 50gal 5hp aircompressor and a Ingersoll rand impact gun with 550ft/lbs torque. Take that crank shaft pulley!

 

just buy the 20 dollar honda crank pulley removal tool from kragen.com and a normal human can remove that 181 ft lb torque bolt... because the whole thing is not trying to move now. Take that stock crankshaft!!

Get all the parts replaced at once, What? 100k miles and 5-7 years isnt enough of a parts life for you? Replace the water pump now, or in a year when it quits and you pay all the labor again - its the last part you get to in the job- its failure will hurt the motor BAD
Tensioners may be fine today and fail tomorrow- if it does, its goodbye timing belt goodbye engine top end
Let a private shop do it with honda genuine water pump and timig belt- those parts you can get online, or use the honda shop with parts you get.
The total service should include valve adjustment, only a few may be off just a mil, but that effects performace and mileage- have them adjusted
New spark plugs- engine air filter cabin air filter...

 

Tool mentioned for those interested.
http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...egoryCode=3491

 

That probably wont even make it budge.

 

Also buy the parts and bring them to the shop doing it.

http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...catdisplay.jsp

 

how do you know when its time to do the timing belt? i been thinking about doing it lately but 1st i want to finish replacing my mounts, ive changed 2, i have 3 to go.. figured id change em all while im at it you know?

 

Acura of Oxmoor are crooks. I was with my dad when he was working with them on price and they were completely disrespectful. He bought from Lexington. and we live in southern Indiana. did you try Swope. hopefully you stay away from Neil Huffman. Actually I think Neil Huffman owns Acura of Oxmoor.

 

Dang it, maybe I should just turn plan B into the new plan A.

 

$630 for parts and labor? That is Cheap! I should drive there from jersey to get mine done since im too lazy to do it. j/k

 

Neil Huffman owns all those dealerships around there. Acura, Nissan, Toyota, etc! I live in the ville and am going to do my 105,000 mile service ASAP!!!

Since i found some ppl from KY and Louisville!!

LETS MEET UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

A meet sounds like a good idea, maybe we should start a thread to see who joins in since there's already 3 of us

 

Yes, always replace the water pump with the timing belt job. When the water pump fails, it usually fails seized up. When that happens, it will take away the teeth on the rubber timing belt, and the engine crashes. If lucky, just a few bend or broken valve stems. If not, the whole engine block will have to be replaced. I have seen pictures of broken valve stems poking out through the engine block.

 

lol yea, after the first try u gotta wait for it to build up the psi again.

 

I did start a thread. Here it is:

https://acurazine.com/forums/acurazine-clubs-meets-15/attn-kentucky-tl-cl-rl-388961/

 

That actually happened to me once. The guy who owned the Honda dealership also owned the closest Acura dealership. Both had $98/hr labor rate though. I'd say buy your parts directly from honda or online and take it to a private shop with the more standard $60-80/hr labor rate. Find one that's certified in honda/acura, they are out there and usually hire techs that used to work at dealerships since it saves them training costs that way.