So I took advantage of the amazing timing belt special this summer as my Acura approached 105,XXX miles. This was just in June. Today I was at my family Mechanic to change my 3rd and 4th gear pressure switches and Oxygen sensors and he asked when was the last time i replaced my timing belt? I found this odd being that i thought it was just changed this summer. He then goes to tell me that it looks as if this belt hasn't been changed in years and its getting ready to pop any day now. So I called Hamilton Honda and they immediately scheduled an appointment for me for next Saturday. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM? OR HAS CHECKED THEIR WORK IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP? I haven't even bothered checking the water pump but i will before i take it down this saturday.

 

Remove the serpentine belt and pull off the cover and check the belt for yourself, but better make certain of the accusation before throwing stones. Although the crank bolt can be used for something other than timing belt change, take a look at the bolt for any indications that it's been removed.

 

Stupid question...any chance your family mechanic is trying to pull one over on you and get you to submit to a second TB change? Just asking...

It takes a bit of access to get to the TB, so I'm surprised the 'family mechanic' would be able to detect if your TB wasn't done just by a visual inspection (unless he really did tear down the front of the engine).

 

+1

 

i seriously doubt a honda dealership would do this.

 

As others have said, he'd have to pull the TB covers to know that.

Good luck with that.

 

You should come see Rock Honda in Fontana, California.

 

you'd be surprised, they're just lazy sometimes.
my dad caught west side acura in Edmonton not doing some of his services before and bitched them out, Service Manager apologized, did the service and refunded him his money

 

He's actually my cousin and does the work on all of our vehicles. He said the bolt was almost impossible to remove as if it had not been loosened in years. Ive never had a problem with any of his work. Before I head back down from PA to Hamilton, I will pull the cover off myself and take a look at it.

 

this could get interesting. In for updates.

An old belt will look kind of brownish, possibly oily if the hydro tensioner has been leaking on it.

 

Thanks for the tip and I will continue to keep this thread updated throughout the week.

 

It could be a mistake by Hamilton or misjudged by your mechanic.. I vote to change title until it's proved otherwise. Hamilton has done right for most of our members. There are notorious service shops out there, but Hamilton shouldn't be on that list.. Talk to us when a shop doesn't do the work, washes your car that scratches your paint, and steals your designer eye glasses.

 

I once bought a special off groupon at downtown Honda Toronto for an oil change, tire rotation and brake inspection anyways I go to check my oil a few weeks after and it looked like it wasn't changed, very dark oil.

 

I dont understand why he is even messing with the TB belt cover, let alone the crank pulley. I just did my 3rd and 4th pressure switches and all that I needed to do was pull the driver side tire. I never had to touch the pulley or timing belt cover.

Are you sure he isnt talking about your serpentine belt?

Something doesnt seem to add up, whats his motive for taking the time to take the covers off of your timing belt on a pressure switch change?

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/how-long-does-take-new-oil-get-dirty-868866/

 

I would bet a paycheck your mechanic is referring to the accessory drive belt, although you'd think he'd know the difference. Maybe he just misspoke.

 

OH NO, is the Timing belt special over!!!?

 

^^ really? I'm screwed now. What's the normal price now 1k?

 

The special is still going on at Hamilton Honda according to the ad in the Asbury Park Press

 

http://www.hamiltonhonda.net/specials/service.htm#

offer expires 10/15/12

 

take your acura to the dealership on rt1 in princeton

 

I always ask for the old parts back.

 

 

If they're shady they can always give you someone else's old part back, but at least its a start. Hell most people wouldn't even be able to tell if its from the same car...

 

 

In my experience with Hamilton Honda, they MORE than stand up for their service. I can assure you that their entire service team is well aware of this thread (FYI: They monitor the forums daily. This is FACT.)

This was a very poor choice of thread titles and reflects a "shoot first, ask later" approach. Just odd the "family mechanic" found this...

 

its the way of the internet, there is no repercussion for false accusations and its easier to type things you would never say.

just like a facebook status that says "worst day ever", they are trolling for attention.

Instead of OP calling the dealer and having the situation checked out then posting a thread with a resolution, we all get free posts while we wait for the story to end.

Have some

 

On large services, I always mark the old parts that will be replaces with whiteout or sharpie as well. That way when i ask for the parts back in return, I know they have been replaced by my markings.

 

Any updates on this? That's a pretty diesel accusation...

 

I asked for my belts back when I did mine. I would doubt that they would ever take the chance doing something like this.

 

Now it says Oct 31st winning, I have to make sure I have the cash.

 

Precision Acura??? They quoted me $1127 and 15%, bringing it down to $958, I don't think so. Even Elite Acura in Maple shade is cheaper than that.

I think I'm going to try out Hamilton, but I need to check out 2 more places.

 

They seem to extend the expiration date

 

they have been. since july 31, as far back as i can remember

 

Just had mine done at Hamilton today! $389.98 + $75.00 for the tensioner (I needed it). They also replaced my compliance bushings which were shot to hell.... The ride back to Maryland was smooth as a babies butt.... Had no idea the bushings made that much of a difference.... When you get to Hamilton ask for Sal.... top notch guy and best experience at a Stealership I've ever had in my life.... They need to open a location here in MD....

 

We could use a branch here in Indiana, too!!
By the way, what did they charge you for the compliance bushings?

 

You are the best, the bushings I have read about. How much did they charge?

I will probably go with Hamilton.

 

I guess we never got to hear back from the OP about this.

 

It was prolly BS.

 

granted he hasnt signed on since which could be for many reasons,

cousin probably mistook the drive belt for the timing belt or OP may have even confused his cousin's description of the drive belt for the timing belt. we'll never know..