Hey gang,

We have a 2003 TL and live in Canada.

I was just informed by the Service rep from the dealership that at my 96,000 KM service they change the timing belt. The estimated cost is over $1300 Cdn, which does includes tranny fluid change, oil change.

I am not confident enough to DIY so I may have to find a second job to pay for this one.

From all the reading I have done here, it seems that most people have their timing belt changed at 100,000 miles, not KM. (96,000 KM is about 60,000 miles). Or perhaps they have a different maintenance schedule due to our "harsh Canadian Winters".

Are they just suggesting work that isn't necessary until a much later service, or am I missing something?



Any input is appreciated.

 

Check and see what your manual states, 60,000 miles is a bit low to change a timing belt, the Canadian weather could be the factor...Check ur manual though it should tell you when to replace your timing belt.

 

FYI, I paid $700 (USD) + tax for Timing belt & water pump (at 105K mi.)

 

dont change the trans fluid unless you have been doing it every 20-30k miles.
too often failure occurs shortly afterwards
If you have trans warranty- let them change the fluid!!

A private shop that does imports would be the dealer alternative- get the phone book ads for `auto repairing` and call a few- ask what parts they actually replace- tensioner pullies included?
new accessory belt? and its tensioner?
Go see the shop- clean organized happy people?

price means nothing without knowing what it includes
Shops will give a low price to get you in- then once its apart it needs several more parts at $xxx$

Yes- its the harsh canadian winters that cause the early maitenance- its all in the back of the owner book of what is severe service and normal use
Temp extremes and missing ozone layer is bad for rubber and other living things
Check that and decide
A broken timing belt is $2800 worth of internal engine damage!!!!
Its a good time to have the valves adjusted- only a few will be slightly off perfect- but the labor is partial combined when doing it with the timing belt-water pump job

 

60k miles is the usa `severe service` timing belt change time,
many of us fall in that section - check it out- commutes- short trips-towing, mountains, all lower the intervals

 

call acura canada- see if your 03 is part of the same thing some 2003 usa cars had- timing belt pulley RECALL for belt misalignement and early wear

If its applicable to your car- then pay the extra for the water pump labor and parts- acura is paying for most of the rest of the same job~

 

There are some people that have 150k MILES and still didnt do the timming belt!
Im in NJ and waited till 110K miles and the belt looked fine still. I had it done for $700 at local shop (belt , h2o pump, and radiator fluid flush) I think you can go anouthe year or 30k Kilometers the weather isnt that much diff then NJ (depending where in canada)
If you drain 3 and fill 3 in your tranny u should be fine just dont do a 3x3 overhaul if the tranny fluid has never been changed!

 

Well, being in Canada does not mean anything? Where are you in Canada?
Car’s owner manual states what the severe schedule is? It is actually extremely hi or extremely low temperature on a constant bases. Unless your car is subject to recall as 01tl4tl mentioned, you should be ok most likely.
Manual states 100k miles/160K Km or 7 years whichever occurs first for the regular schedule.
Many people found out that belt can take it much, much longer then that, so again, you should be ok most likely.
As for paying to the dealer, think again unless you simply want to through your money through the window. If it must be a dealer because that makes you feel more confortable, do buy parts yourself and take it to the Honda dealer and negotiate the price with them.
I think that most of dealers would use non OEM parts, much worse quality belt etc.
I have found out that here in Canada, they sell OEM belt for around $80 CAD and non OEM you can find for about $30. In the states, you can check the parts and prices here:

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

I would suggest you to buy OEM belt and the water pump at a minimum plus two other belts (they are cheap), and to buy all this in the states and somehow get it here (that is what I have done when the dollar was on par with US buck). Then, take your time and find some place for the reasonable amount which I believe should not be more then $500 (it should not be more then 5 full hours of labor).
I doubt that anything else is necessary to be replaced.

Here is the Canadian site for the belt and other parts:

http://www.autopartsway.ca/AutoParts...ll~Timing+Belt

Make sure that you buy OEM parts if you plan to keep the car.

Of course dealer would suggest you whatever pumps more money into their pockets especially these days, and the price of 1300 is obscene!

 

Thanks for all that information guys.

I believe the manual states (not word for word):
100,000 KM - Change of timing belt recommended if vehicle driven for extended periods of time in temperatures under -29 Celsius.

So exactly what does "extended period" mean. We do have temperatures below -29 Celsius for at least a week or two every year. Is that an "extended period".

I will do a little more research and put a call into the Service Manager at the dealership instead of talking to the desk people. He has always been good to me so if it costs me an extra couple hundred bucks for them to do it I'll let them do it. Now if they are gouging me for an extra $600, then I'll have to "shop around".

 

I had my timing belt, water pump, all the related belts and seals, plus a brake fluid flush, at 98K for $600. He's a great independent mechanic only works on Hondas and Acuras. I used to go to him when I had my Integra 12 years ago. He did excellent work then, and still does today. Plus, he's walking distance from my house.

 

Tommy, I'm in H-town as well, and we need to get these items done on an '03 TL. Where did you have the service done?

 

try a PM- this thread is from 2 years ago~

 

Good plan. I found my own shop, but I'll keep that in mind next time, 01tl4t.

 

care to share the shop name and price - did they replace tensioners etc
How did the belt look,you have to turn it inside out to see any cracks
miles?

 

The shop is C&M Car Specialists, in Stafford, TX. Phone is (281) 498-6364. I shoulda looked at the old belt, dang it! But I don't put blind faith in people--they have to earn it. They earned it. I am impressed with their communication, honesty, work ethic, and prices.

 

Hi guys, new to this forum, so my posting options are a bit limited, but I wanted to ask about parts needed for the timing belt repair.

Obviously its the belt and water pump, but what about tensioners/idlers, etc? What is actually needed in this process, or what is typically in need of repair once things are opened up and doing the belt change. From my parts schematic, there are several "tension" related parts ..wondering which might be needed.
ex:
Adjuster, timing belt #14510-PGE-A01
Idler, timing belt #14550-PGE-A01
Adjuster, automatic #14520-P8E-A01

Would these items above normally need replacing at the same time?

Thanks

 

There are a couple threads in the DIY section that may answer some of your questions.

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/diy-timing-belt-695821/
and
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/120k-service-completed-610450/

 

yes always replace the tensioners and idler/roller pullies

sure they are good today, (sometimes 1 or more have already leaked grease out of bearing and are near total failure)
but will they last another 7 years/100,000 miles?
Not Likely!!

failure of any of those is equal (will break belt) to breaking the belt itself = massive internal engine damage to the valve train = $2500 repair job!!!!
plus still need to redo the tbelt job for another 1000!! = throw car away

spend the extra 100-150 for the parts now and drive with the knowledge you did the job right

see the thread in black market sponsored sales and in regular section-` tbelt kit 295$` from an acura dealer in santa rosa ca, has everything you need and is a great deal
Also see the diy 105 threads for list of parts

 

I just had mine done in California, $1,300 for belt, plugs, water pump, thermostat, etc. and right at 108,000 miles. The belt looked brand new that was taken out. I think it could have gone another 100K before replacement.

 

Age is more of a factor than mileage with that belt. Could've saved a bit of $$ if you tried doing the plugs yourself. Great DIY on those here...depending on if you're even comfortable doing it. Even if not, it's a fairly easy job for most. Anyway, glad you got all that replaced.

 

"black market section?" sorry-new to this forum, is it a forum category or where is it within this site?....maybe because I am new , I am blocked from viewing it?...

Thanks

 

I think you do not have access to it for the first few days (I think around 5)
but the black market is a place where users here trade parts and buy things.
when some people put things up for sale, they usually put it up in their signature (that might be why you see things for sale at the bottom end of some posts)
you can usually access it at the top under Off Topic.