wrayman

It's Timing Belt time, and in case anyone is in that time with me, Amazon has a great price on the
Gates TCKWP286 Engine Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump

I ordered mine today for $132.49, apparently $100.50 off the regular price.

Local dealer cost for the OEM parts was $388 Cdn.

This is a good kit, from what I've been able to find out here on the forums.

Cheers,
Mike

3.2TLc

Yeah, Gates is a quality brand.
Just make sure that the kit includes all the other misc. components for a complete job.

01tl4tl

all the tensioners and belts should be done
new honda brand thermostat,,even new rad hoses are a wise investment
make it all like new again at 10-13 years old and 100kmiles--looking new running new

let us know how the kit looks.works,,fit of wp etc
see the various 105 diy threads for extra parts often needed
egr passage cleanout and clean TB-iacv really good idea
valve adjust now will be good idea

smartypants

In my view, for this job I would never put anything else in other than Honda factory parts. We've seen on this very site where replacement timing belts have snapped, destroying the engine. A water pump is one thing, a timing belt is quite another.

At least get the T-belt from Honda and then take a chance on the other parts. You really have no idea where those parts came from and there's a reason it's only $132.

...and don't be fooled just because it says "Gates", as designer clothes aren't the only thing being "knocked off" these days.

wrayman

Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate it. I'll try to squeeze in as much as possible when they have the car.

I agree smartypants, there is always a chance of bogus gear. Your suggestion on the belt itself is a good one, thank you. I'm inclined to think Amazon is clearing the stock for a valid reason such as end of line, change of packaging etc. Happens all the time. Vendors generally support the clearance of existing "old " stock to make way for the new version.
At least I'm telling myself that.....LOL

Cheers !

smartypants

In my case, I got the all OEM T-Belt kit for $295 which gives you all the belts, T-belt, water pump and tensioner. I was lucky that I had family going to the US and had it shipped directly to their hotel.

On a related point, I've never heard of an original factory belt breaking, only ones that were replaced.

wrayman

You saved some shipping and Customs dollars, nice !

On a related point, I've never heard of an original factory belt breaking, only ones that were replaced.

I know, that's why I'm reluctantly doing the job, even tho I'm way overdue !

The kit just arrived....I'll take it by my shop, and if they have ANY doubts at all about it, back it goes. They know their stuff, and are great to work with.

Cheers....

Black Tire

Link? I could not find it on Amazon.ca.

wrayman

Try this Black Tire, on Amazon.com...gotta pay customs and shipping, but still a great price compared to dealer.

lsiravi

I *am* in the market for a timing belt and briefly flirted with getting this one since it is about $100 less, but based on the comments here, I guess I will stick to the AISIN TKH001 kit from rockauto per my original thoughts.

3.2TLc

Yeah, when replacing the T-belt....either yourself or hired out, it's a tedious and time consuming task. The price of labor along with peace of mind are going to be the main factors when deciding upon the "Gum band" that will kill your motor given the chance. Never skimp on cheap or inferior parts of unknown quality if ya want to make it to the next 100k. This is not an area to cut corners on !

wrayman

The Gates kit contains a Gates/Unitta belt, Koyo rollers, Aisin tensioner, and a Gates ? water pump.
From what I can gather from research, these are OEM or OEM spec parts.
Straight ahead Captain.....let's hope it all works out !

lsiravi

Hello folks,

Can someone let me know if this


Is the same as the Rockauto one for 220+, please? It sure seems like it.

Thanks in advance.

TLer trash

I'm too lazy to look up the rock auto kit, but the amazon kit you're looking at is all recognized, legitimate, brand name stuff. I'd bet the belt is mitsuboshi, rather than mitsubishi that they've listed. Mitsuboshi is an oe honda supplier.

lsiravi

Got it in the mail in 2 days.

Comes in an Aisin branded box about 18in square, about 8in deep. White with Aisin written all over in blue. On the front is the label w/ brand name, TKH-001, a barcode, contents and date of manufacture (6/6/13)

On opening the box, it is divided into 2 diagonal triangles.

One part contains the water pump: standard fare - a white AISIN brand paint.
The other triangle contains the tensioner (the aluminum part) - AISIN franked on it (not painted).
The bearings are KOYO in blue sub-boxes.
The Belt is indeed Mitsuboshi, and comes with a "replacement sticker" to help keep track of when it was replaced.

I think it's the real deal, especially since it is Amazon LLC that's selling it (not an affiliated seller). Not a bad deal overall.

Anyone disagree based on contents description?

Thanks

wrayman

I did a bit of digging with my Gates kit...Gates assures me it is a legit kit, and sent pics to compare with mine received from Amazon.

The belt itself is Gates, of good quality.

Koyo rollers/bearings

Aisin tensioner and a Gates ( assume ) water pump. Full install directions, warranty card and replacement yellow sticker.

It appears to me that the various kits are all around the same, with a part variant here and there. I guess you have to pick your poison and go with it if not buying at the dealer !

3.2TLc

Yeah, getting the full complete T-belt kit in a reputable better brand should be good, IMO. These parts more than likely are either the same or very close in quality to the OEM at a real savings.

Going back a few years, I remember when my father's Honda Accord went into the "Honda dealership" at about 100k for it's T-belt servicing. He requested that all the drive belts and hoses be also replaced at the same time.

Well, when it came time to pick up the car....looked underhood and saw "Napa" accessory drive belts on. Hmmm, so we asked what brand of T-belt was used and was told that it was also a Napa product. Upon asking why OEM parts were not installed, the service writer replied that they were out of stock and that the Napa parts were equivalent. After discussing the matter with the service manager, he stated that OEM parts were only normally installed if specified. Finally bringing the situation to the dealerhip's owner resolved the issue with installing an OEM T-belt. What a PITA !!! Would've never known had it not been for the other drive belts.

MSG C5

How long are you guys running your T-Belts/Water Pump?

I had the dealer swap my original belt/pump at 115K miles and now I'm at 200K miles. I really don't want to spend the money this year on a new belt/pump as I'm trying to keep my annual maintenance expenses on a 200K+ mileage car to around $1K. It's a third car now so it's simple math. I plan to swap out the struts this year as well as a possible motor mount(s).

3.2TLc

Hey MSG C5, it appears that you're at about 85k on the last T-belt. Seeing as how it was replaced by the dealership using "OEM" parts, you should be good until next year. As you know, the factory recommends this service at 7 years or 105k. So, doing the math....you are within the limits, IMO. The only concern may be the misc. parts such as the tensioner and idler bearings. If you still have your paperwork, see if these items were also replaced by the dealership.

Are you still on the original struts and motor mounts ? I'd definitely have the mounts checked out, as they normally don't make it past 100k. Depending on roads, struts will go to 150k or so. How's the tranny been holding up ?.....has it ever been replaced ?

MSG C5

The original struts are being swapped out this week. I got 200K on the first set! The car was used primarly as a highway business driver. 100 miles/day on Florida expressways and for a few years I was averaging 30K per year. It's now retired and is a 3rd family car averaging about 10K miles/year. The Nighthawk Black paint still looks very good with the exception of the front bumper/hood which has 200K miles worth of blowing sand and bugs road rash.

I replaced the timing belt, driving belts, water pump and original side motor mount at 114K miles in 2008. The original front motor mount had been previously replaced at 108K miles.

The tranny was rebuilt at 157K miles in early 2011. I feel the car jumping at low speed acceleration/stop and go driving so I'm thinking a motor mount may need to be replaced.

The car is still looking good and I will keep it as long as I can keep my annual maintance costs around $1,000. New struts and potential motor mount will push me to that limit for 2013 in addition to the normal oil change/tire rotations. I snapped this picture last week after the weekly bath and to celebrate the 200K mile mark!

wrayman

Mine was last done @ 96,000 kms at an Acura Dealership. I'm now at @261, 000kms.....slightly overdue.......

wrayman

Had the Gates kit installed this past Monday. All went well, and the parts were a perfect fit, and of good quality according to my mechanic.
Amazing what a new set of good spark plugs can do, acceleration and start up much improved.

So far so good, LOL

3.2TLc

Hey Wrayman, thanks for the update. If ya don't mind my asking.....how much did the T-belt installation labor run ya ??? Did ya have the valves adjusted ? Thanks, again !

wrayman

Don't mind at all....

Timing belt kit, drive belt, PS belt and spark plug install was a total of $695. Add 15 % tax here in NS, so about $800. This includes all the parts.

Dealership quoted me $388 parts, and 650 labour, plus the tax. The drive, PS belt, and spark plugs not in that figure.

I'm ok so far...

3.2TLc

Thanks, now if your tranny holds out.....you'll be good for another 100k or ???

wrayman

Let's hope so ! The trans had the oil jet installed @ 83, 000K.

I've made it to 262,000 K, and it gives me very little trouble.

3.2TLc

Original tranny ??? How frequently do you replace the fluid ? Have ya pulled the filter or any of the solenoids ? The Acura God's are watching ! Better buy an Accord '6>'7 AT !!!

wrayman

Yes, it is the original.

Looked back in my service records. Trans fluid change @ 115K, 168K.

Complete flush ( machine ) and fill with non Acura fluid @ 205K.

Car worked great.

Did a bit of twitching after reading about non Acura trans fluids, and did a drain and fill with DW-1 @ 210K

Time for another drain and fill soon. The fluid looks and smells fine at this point.

No filter or solenoid work done.

I keep the Accord trans in the back of my mind for sure. If this one goes, then we'll have to decide to either install one, or move to another vehicle.

I looked around a bit when we were deciding on doing timing belt work or selling the car. I would like a 6 speed TL, but they're a bit scarce around here. The TSX 6 speed is popping up a fair amount, but never drove one.

Time'll tell.