I just had a discussion with the Service Writer at Acura regarding a timing belt replacement service. My TL is an early 2000 (took delivery December 1999) with around 70,000 miles. He recommends a replacement of the timing belt, drive belts, water pump and coolant, but no tensioner replacement. He says the dealership which includes Honda cars, never does the tensioner and has had no complaints. I commented that I would hate to go through the entire expense and trouble and have the t-belt skip a tooth. His answer was that he has seen tensioners go bad on high mileage cars, but the only symptom is an annoying growl from under the hood.
So I need some opinions. I am thinking the next t-belt would be due around 150,000 miles and maybe the writer is correct. I could skip it this time based on wear alone. Age should not have an adverse effect on a tensioner.
Or is it stupid to think of saving $120 on a job that costs almost 10 times that amount? Any real-life stories on this?

 

If you will be changing t-belt again at 150k, his advise is not bad at all, and his comment is correct.

 

Thanks...any other opinions?

 

The tensioner is only 75 bucks. Its not something i would risk. They take it out to do the belt any way so you might as well replace it.

 

Change the A/C tensioner as well, they make noise.

 

Mine just started to. Its got a lil over 300k on it

 

The timing belt hydraulic tensioner is replaced if it's leaking. The tech will notice if it's leaking and ask for your approval to replace it. Since leaking tensioners are not uncommon on these engines, it may be a good idea to replace it regardless.

 

bearings wear out- plain and simple
replace those parts now and save that $2800 engine damage when the tensioner fails a year from now

Service writers are NOT very often techs....

 

We look at it as cheap insurance. I know a lot of shops, including dealers wait a little longer in an efford to keep the costs down. But 01tl4tl is right, bearings wear out and spending a little more could save you big money down the road.

 

Mine has 78k and it's annoying. I'm doing the T/belt repelacement service when I hit 90k. Car will be 6yrs old in April so I don't want to push the time limit. NY has weird weather.

 

i just got my timing belt replaced and the tensioner was replaced under a recall for free.

 

Any idea which years are covered by a recall?

 

some of the 03s got a recall install of new pulley, timing belt and the tensioner as well
There was a possible pulley misalignment that would cause failure

Smart people pay the extra parts and labor to have the water pump replaced at the same time--saves you several hundred $$ on what is the big part of the 105 service

Register your car with acura 1-800-382-2238x5
and http://owners.acura.com/registration...erstepone.aspx
Need your VIn for both of those- look in recall section online for info, thats your cars account and it should know--but double check with 800# just in case
There is also an extended seatbelt and SRS warranty for many gen2

 

And Welcome AcuraPartsGuy
Thanks for the dealer side of the story

 

i believe my service writer said 02-03 but dont quote me on it

 

VEHICLES AFFECTED
2002 3.2 TL:
From VIN 19UUA5...2A052043
thru 19UUA5...2A061706
2003 3.2 TL:
From VIN 19UUA5...3A000001 thru
19UUA5...3A043888
2002 3.2 CL:
From VIN 19UYA4...2A004260
thru 19UYA4...2A005879
2003 3.2 CL:
From VIN 19UYA4...3A000001 thru
19UYA4...3A009883
2002 MDX:
From VIN 2HNYD1...2H505108 thru
2HNYD1...2H545156