Last February my Acura dealer has told me my 2000 TL would need to have the timing belt replaced. Cost: $1050. I live in the NYC area. Does anyone know a) is this about right price wise, b) is it best to the dealer do this job vs. finding a mechanic. Any insights much appreciated. Mileage is 119,400

 

that seems high. Did they also say that they would replace teh water pump also in that price?? I was quoted 800 for the timing belt and water pump replacement. I would find a independand mechanic you would trust or one that others have recomended. its really not that hard of a job. i can do it in around a hour now

 

thank you, your the best fsttyms1! i have been recommended to a very good mechanic. however, he never changed an acura belt. he was checking the procedure to make sure it wasn't an "only an acura dealer can do the change, i.e., need some special equipment) and will be getting back to me. i'll have to see what price he quotes. at least i have a base now.
thank you so much...vickie

 

simple metric tools. the hardest part is removing the crank pully bolt (on hard). there is a tensioner that needs to be taken out and put in a press/vise and compressed and a pin inserted then reinserted. Once the belt is installed then you can pill the pin and it will aut tension it. The pin needs to be hardened ( I was able to use a hardend finish nail)

 

I paid around $700 a year ago for a 2000 TL (in CA). I don't think we replaced the water pump, but I'd have to pull my receipt to check.

 

did acura of manhattan give you that quote?

 

I paid $638 at my local Acura dealer for a new timing belt on my '99 and that included the timing belt, water pump, AC belt, PS belt and coolant.

 

Hi, thanks for all the great info. the dealer is Greenwich Acura in Greenwich, CT (where i work, so has the convenience factor). The $1050, included labor, timing belt, water pump, coolant and i think the AC belt and maybe the PS belt and the tax too. The local mechanic that was recommended to me comes back from vacation on july 10. i'll get his input on the job then.

 

No. I use an independent service place for all work as the nearest dealer is nearly 2 hours away. I'm near San Luis Obispo.

 

my acura dealer in san antonio quoted me at 695 if i did it while they were replacing my transmission ( #4).

 

the question was directed to vickie. Hence Acura of Manhattan

 

How urgent is it to get the timing belt replaced, I have 107k. Ive never had my belt snap before on previous cars i owned ( hondas, toyotas). Does anybody know how reliable they are, any experiences of it breaking, etc??

 

mine had 200k on it

 

I had it done on Monday and asked this very question. The dealer said they can go about 100K or so. He said they mostly break in the winter when it gets cold and they become stiff. He said it's cheaper to replace the belt than ruin your engine. I asked how long can this car go...i have 120K on it. He said you'll get tired of this car before it gives out on you...it can go well over 200K.

 

very true. My motor when i pulled it out for my 6 speed swap had 200k on it. every thing on the motor was original including the belt. The motor would probably have easily made it another 200k