Sabrtooth

Hi,

I have a 2008 TL with 113,000 miles on it (I travel a LOT which predicated purchasing one of the smoothest rides I could find).

I bought the vehicle in 2010 for a sweet deal with 35k miles on it. So, I've racket over 80K miles in 2 years.

My question is, is changing the timing belt in this situation necessary? It's all highway miles. I will be doing it anyways, but am afraid I am throwing my money away.

Let me know your thoughts!

P.S. I've been a Google-lurker here for a long time, I could not find anything like this while searching. So I apologize if this has been asked or is being asked in the wrong area.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Acura recommends the timing belt to be changed at 105k, so I would go ahead and have it replaced.

Other members have run the original belt for longer but it's better to be safe than sorry!

truonghthe

get it done and over with, no more worry.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Did you get the B4 message on your MID?

turbo_oxide

regardless of the mileage type (highway/city)... change your timing belt either at 105k/7 years, whichever comes first.

pohljm

your already past the recommended service interval. I understand they are all highway miles and that could be an argument to stretch it farther, but this is an interference engine so if you have a timing belt failure it can be catastrophic. peace of mind is worth something!

serbj

iTrader: (1)

Timing belt service is very necessary. If it stretches, you will get the service engine light on. And in the worst scenario, if the belt breaks, your pistons may hit the valves and you will need to buy another engine.

Well, of course, a used J32A3 engine is not expensive. But the point is, to put the new engine in will break you bank. And after that, since you cannot be sure about how much longer the belt can live, you will have to do the timing belt service anyway.

Sabrtooth

Awesome, thanks. I was thinking about replacing it anyways based on the sheer age of the car. So all should be good! Thanks though.

Rsoetidjo

Better be safe then sorry

wall e

just out of curiousity, how do you rack 80k in 2 years? do u drive far to work? is it all highway miles? i have a 2008 TL and im at 32K are u anti-airplane? LOL

ez12a

it sounds about right if he's doing around 500 ish miles a week, or about 100 miles a day (50 mi commute one way). I've done it for 9 months and the miles add up quick.

hleapha

I certainly think that Acura putting a 105k change out in the manual includes a lot of safety factor.... so they don't get sued. I also think that highway miles like you rack up are much less taxing on the belt. I think it would be as safe for you to go to 150k as it would for most to change it at or near 105k.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

^thinking is not allowed, knowing is.

hleapha

What is it that you know? Are you saying you know a timing belt will fail shortly after 105k? What I said is the most reasonable and informative post that I've seen. Why is a timing belts life measured in miles? Answer: It is the easiest way to estimate the number of rotations. Well, the number of rotations made by a typical TL's timing belt would be much higher than his at the same mileage. 105k is a safety blanket for a typical TL, his would be a certain number higher to relate to he intended belt life. Please clarify your thoughtless post.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

That is still speculation. Rotations are only part of the reason why the timing belts need to be changed. Weather conditions, fatigue, and other things. Micro cracks form through age, mileage (in your case "rotations"), and stress.

I'm not implying that you don't know your stuff, but I was implying that you should not express/think to someone that they can last to 150k when factory is 105k on a procedure relatively cheap compared to the cost of what it can be without doing it. Will you take responsibility if his snaps at 130k? And this has nothing to do with being sued (directly), this is a standard mileage for ANY timing belt (unless we're talking about a chain/metal belt).

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

finally another member that drives a lot...i drive ~25k miles a year, not as much as your 40k/year but good to know the TL will hold up to that many miles.

hleapha

I agree with those reasons. I still think with the age of his car and how quickly he added those miles makes his belt age/wear/fatigue equivalent to a vehicle with less miles. Most people change it because of peace of mind so if spending $600 - $1000 is worth peace of mind only then go for it. It is a calculated risk just like it is a calculated risk to step outside the house.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Add me to that list. I picked up my 08TL last May. I've added 32K miles on it so far.

OP - I recommend getting the service done. I did mine last month. I need to get another 2 years/100K out of my car and I do not want to have to buy an engine to do so.

NetGnome

Correct me if I am wrong, but I read somewhere that another source of failure for a timing belt is the antifreeze that leaks from the weep hole or seal in the coolant pump that runs off of the timing belt.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

It's a gamble, but I'd probably get it changed on a car like this. I drove a '93 Accord to 200K miles and a '99 to 160K miles and didn't change the belt on either. I purchased both used, but before the 90K service interval (a little earlier for those cars compared to the TL) so unless someone decided to change the belt before the recommended mileage, it would mean that neither ever had a new timing belt up to the point that I sold them. I informed both of the buyers that the belt needs to be changed but that I hadn't done it . The reason I never changed them was mostly the ratio of the cars value to the price of the timing belt replacement. Neither of those cars were worth a whole bunch once they hit nearly 100K miles. I also frequently (about every 10K miles) checked the timing belt by removing the valve cover and shroud and they always looked brand spankin new. This didn't help the case for changing the belts either. I would even manually turn over the engine via the camshaft gear and inspect the underside of the belt for cracks or missing teeth. Perfect condition every time. I know there can be wear that isn't visible but it was hard to justify a nearly $1000 job on cars that weren't worth much over $3-4K when the belt looks the same as it did the day the car rolled off the assembly line. The TL on the other hand is still worth well over $10K when it hits 105K miles assuming it's in good shape with a good title. But if the engine is damaged due to a timing belt snapping, you're probably looking at 1/3 to 1/2 the price of the car to replace the engine. Despite the strong possibility that the belt is still in great shape on most all TL's that hit 105K, it's suddenly very much worth changing the belt simply to avoid a catastrophic engine failure. I'm at 80K and will definitely get mine changed at 105K (probably by the dealer despite the extra cost, just for the purpose of records and liability).

erdoc48

My brother who owns my old 00TL had the belt done at 140,000 miles- I kept reminding him as I was concerned about it snapping. He got the old parts back and said it looked like new. That said, a visual inspection isn't everything and I still plan on getting mine done at 105K but that's at least 2 years away for me.

badbart

Can you tell me more about this error? I have 105 on mine but I just bought it. I tried looking up the previous owner, but he has done a good job staying off the grid. I found his Linked In Profile, but I would have to cold contact him off of that, would like to know if it was done, but my gut says it was not.

BB.

LeonHuu007

You should have it done asap. You're not going to waste any money because parts prices are going to go up next year too. So to be on the safe side you should get it done. I did mine at 93k. Now i feel safe every time i take it on the road.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

^^this.