j0etls

Hello all, I'm new to the forums. I'm actually a Lexus owner but my parents have a 2002 TL-S, original owners with 73,500miles.

I had taken the car in for service at the dealer because of the maintenance req'd light was on. The tech said it was due for the 75k maintenance. He later calls me and says its time for a timing belt and water pump change. I quickly declined because it didn't sound right. When I went to pick the car up, he reinformed me of the timing belt again. I'm pretty sure this car can go up to at least 90k before it needs to be changed. What do you guys think?

finalcross

iTrader: (3)

I'm pretty sure it can too but like most people say, it is the age of the belt that matters more. It's been 8 years so that's about time to change it. You can take the risk if you want, I am. I bought the car at 124k in April and have no idea if mines has even been changed yet. I asked some people and they said to just leave it. And I was thinking okay since I didn't wanna spend a few hundred to a thousand fixing it.

You could always go to an independent shop because the dealer charges at least a thousand for that. But its your parents' car so you let them decide. But you guys sounds like you are doing decent financially so you might wanna go to the dealer to build up a good relationship with them to prepare for your tranny.

01tl4tl

7 years/105kmiles whichever first, for the timing belt water pump job
safety margin is built in to that but be realistic (guess who is at 104 on an 01)

Its ready for plugs now, and brake fluid flush, ps fluid flush, new coolant if not doing the 105 yet

01tl4tl

service writers job is to put cars in the repair bays, by whatever means
then upsell more repairs once its in their hands and you are at their mercy

too bad this one didnt research before speaking to the customer
Have to know your owner book vs their bs

want to make it run like new for 10 bucks?- throw 1 can seafoam 16oz, into 8 gal (just under half tank) of gas--that will clean out carbon and crud without harming anything

01tl4tl

that mait req light is ONLY an oil change reminder you reset with the trip buttons,
it starts blinking 6500 miles after reset and at 7500 stays on solid to say `hey whats up with my oil change dude or dudette?`

has nothing to do with actual oil condition or other parts needing service

01tl4tl

hey final-
if you bought your car for a decent price- it did not get the 105,,its often why many end up on the market at 110 -120 when dealer says its $1500 for the service
people walk away and buy a new car

funny thing- this is the only big maitenance the car gets, and its over 7 years till its needed,,but thats too much for some!!

if the belt breaks there is 99 percent chance its going to bend a few valves,
your cost went up 1200, plus still needs timing belt job..~1000 plus extra $$$ for all new roller pullies as the old belt is stuck in them--its all destroyed

XxXboboXxX

iTrader: (2)

mine lasted til 117k when i got around to getting it done... however it was always in the back of my mind so def dont put it off... also like mentioned above i bought all the parts myself for around $300 from a dealer vendor on the boards and my mechanic charged me $400 in labor and swapped in an unorthodox pulley set at same time... if you have a good mechanic around you, it will def save you alot of money!!!

ANC297

iTrader: (2)

My friend just had his timing belt done at a small Japanese performance shop for 297, plus 200 for the parts from the dealership.

01tl4tl

Im gonna say he didnt do a full job
No way he bought the tensioners!! and wp and belts for 200

01tl4tl

I stopped by an acura specialist shop and asked for 105 price
The guy looked out at my car, then back at me,,ohhh its very expensive for that type car,,1200 at least

I wonder what the quote is when you dont have 18" enkeis and lowered~

j0etls

Thanks for all the responses! To be honest, this car and the stealership really disappointed us. This car was built in Ohio and I'm pretty sure that has something to do with it.

-The tranny went out probably a year or two after purchase, -the engine has not run the same after about a year after purchase (thinking about doing a compression test to see all cylinders are working)
-the a/c went out went out twice within 2009-2010, both times work was done by the dealer
-the interior rattles, fake wood accents discolor, warp, and peeled off
-headlight had to be replaced at $900

the list goes on.


No more dealer! The amount of $ spent on repairs for this car, never again taking it to the dealer. I know an ASE Master tech that I'll take it to.

Can I reset it with the trip buttons? I'll do the oil changes from now on if that's the case!

It's not about spending the $ for a major thing like timing belt, but I don't think it's needed right now. I had a 93 Accord coupe, that the belt went out on me at 130k boy do i miss that car!

that's crazy

j0etls

Thanks for the info. Can you pm me the info?

j0etls

Can't edit my post

Actually had a decent relationship with the Service Mgr of the dealer, he knew this car wasn't right from the beginning and would always try to give us the best price/accomadations which is honorable, but it really doesn't make up for anything. I wish i knew a way to check out what was wrong with this vehicle that the dealer is not telling us.

01tl4tl

have another shop look at it?

trans failure is so common as to not be an issue - you get it replaced under warranty and got half a new car for free!

engine not running right may be egr ports plugged- happens around 75kmiles -you can DIY or your ase tech, have them install new ngk iridium plugs too- its due

reset oil minder light at home- simple
put left hand thru steering wheel top section- push and hold both trip buttons IN.
With right hand turn key to ON - so the dash lights come on-- but NOT to start the car

the mait req light will flash aprox 10 times and go out
release both buttons- turn key off
done!!!
in 6500 miles it will flash at startup, then get more insistant flashing at 7 and comes on solid at 7500
freaked out my wife driving home at midnite and the light came on solid,
she dutifully stopped and got out, looked under the hood and under the car for any leaks,,got back in and drove home,,, without calling for diagnosis <laughing to self>

01tl4tl

headlight was probably moisture got in the seal and toasted the ballast and bulb
Happens to many of us,,have to replace housing,ballast and bulb when dealer does it

too bad acurazine.com address isnt included with car shopping,,learn about the vehicle before purchase

SatinSilverAV6

iTrader: (2)

I replaced my timing belt, water pump, tensioners and cam seals etc. at around 75K. The car was 7 years old though and I live in a very hot and dry climate. I think of it as preventative maintenance. You could wait until 90k though with no issues as long as your climate isn't like mine in tucson

01tl4tl

temp extreme and severe use cars call for the belt and pump at 60!!!!

I have seen an acura belt go 175 on all hiway miles--destroyed the engine when it broke, Owner said--timing belt??? you are supposed to replace that? oooooh

TL Type S fan

Cerritos Acura has a special going on right now for 810. Would anyone know if they have a good mechanic there that does a good job?

finalcross

iTrader: (3)

Every time I think about my timing belt, I wanna sell my car but other than that, I wanna keep it. Someone told me that usually if they do the job, they will put a sticker or something like that on the engine to show it. Is there any possible way because I know you can't check the belt physically without going through a lot of trouble.

01tl4tl

type s fan
acura techs go thru company school on every job and have to receive a certain `skill rating` to do the timing belt- the shop sweeper kid is not allowed to touch your baby except to move and wash it

they will do it right,,one of the few jobs I would really trust them on as it takes a `high skill level` to be allowed to do this
for that price- assuming new tensioners and idler pullies included--(get those for sure!!!)
its a good deal..
also ask the honda dealer if they will work on it, many offer major special pricing

01tl4tl

final: its rare for a tech to mark the date/miles of tbelt on the cover,,as owner has receipt and techs dont care,,in the old days it was common

to do a cheap visual:
look at the bolts for the tbelt cover, any socket or wrench marks from remove and replace should be obvious against untouched bolts
the edges will have paint removed

even rarer is the TL that got a t-belt job,, then sold the car for a good price~
its a major reason you see TL-s with 120 for sale,,no timing belt done

the exception to it being replaced early would be the certain 02-03 vins that got a free timing belt under recall for misaligned pulley,,
acura-care will know it that applied to you 1 800 382 2238 x5

01tl4tl

you can remove the outer belt cover and look at the maker info printing on the belt--
easy to tell 10 years old from 2 years old..the ink will be worn or crisp

tomf

01tl4tl - I just put a can of seafoam in my gas tank and also did a 1/2 can in my engine before an oil change ( as you suggested ) OMG - feels like a different car. It is a 03 type s with 147K on it, runs as good as the day I bought it with 50K miles on it. Thanks

TL Type S fan

Where did you buy the Seafoam? Can I get it from Pep Boys, Kragen or...