Hey everyone,
I am seriously freaking out, bought the car in May. Had 95k miles. Had close to $800.00 saved up to get the 105k service done. Well in the weeks after I got it, I had hit a financial hardship and ended up spending most. Well fast forward to today. I know, I know, I should have just got it done then.

B4 code turned on tonight, well since I do not have the money right now to get the work done, Had planned to visit my parents this weekend, but NOW I need to visit to drop off my car(park it til I can pay for it), nd pick up my other small INTEGRA at home. I live 3 hours away from home.

So my question is [I cant go home til Friday which is still a few days away, and I still need to commute with my only means of transportation] Can I still drive my TL even though the message has come up to get all that important work done, or am I running a major risk of snapping the belt, I do not drive aggressively, but i have to deal with San Diego's steep hills.

I plan to get the service done the first week of OCT. when my left over financial aid and housing deposit get sent to back to me. please help!

 

After reading the title my initial answer was going to be, how many times can you pull the trigger before the gun fires when playing Russian roulette, but another few weeks won't cause a problem.

 

Should be fine

 

I just replaced mine a couple weeks ago at 105k miles on the dot. To be honest I think it could've gone another 50k before I'd start to be worried about it.

 

Are you lucky?

 

If it's just till Oct, you'll be fine.

 

what year is your car? i had an 06 TL and i thought i had to change it at 105,000KM

i just got an 08 and it has 140000km on it. so i called the dealership where this car was previously serviced and the service advisor told me that i dont have to worry about it until 170000km

 

Hahaha funny, but in all seriousness thanks, I just needed feedback on it.

Thanks.

Yeah I had 105,138miles when the service light turned on.

Well, in the past its been close to 50/50, but lately I have been lucky. So I hope I didn't Jinx it.

Yeah I won't get the money back til the first week of Oct. so its a good amount that can pay for the service since I plan to get it done at the my local Honda Dealer. So guess I can live with not driving my TL nd just drive my old integra. :/


Its an '05 TL, I'm a second owner mines at 105,140 when it turned on.

 

Borrow the money from your parents, get the service done, and then pay your parents back when the funds come in.

 

Acura recommends the service at 105K or about every 6/7 years because rubber dries out with age. However when my belt was pulled out at 102K (7 years old) it still looked very good. Going a few thousand miles over (like to 110K) shouldn't be an issue. Just be smart with the car and don't randomly go WOT and everything should be good. My suggestion to you is to start buying the parts ASAP and find deals. For example I got the spark plugs at autozone for around 8.99 each and then I had a coupon I got in the mail for a larger discount!

 

^csmeance:
Damn, I need a full list of parts to get done, the manual, says replace spark plugs, timing belt. Water pump, and since its B replace engine oil and oil filter. But other on here have done the change coolant, I think tensioner pulley, serpentine belt, some sort of sealants. Would I need to do this too even though it isn't listed in the manual. Sorry I know it has been asked, I just don't know what to do since I'm not a mechanic

@Dannyboy10
I don't want them to pay for a car I own, they have enough to worry about. Its my responsibility and its my fault for not getting it done over the summer, I wasn't thinking I would rack up the miles in just a few months of owning it. I can do w/o my TL for two weeks I still have my 91 acura integra LS. My mom currently drives since she avoids using her2003 GMC Envoy XL suv since its a huge gas guzzler around town. But highway is good. Either my I use my integra or take her car.

 

any body find proof about the 7 year thing on the TB? i have an 05, at <56k mi...it will be 7 next june.

OP-you should be fine, just get it done in october as planned.

wasn't there someone on here who drove their TL to 180K mi or so before the first TB?

 

Yep, Acura recommends 105k/7 years. Whichever comes first.
I wouldn't worry so much about the 7 years as the 105k.

There are some cases of people going 200k on their TB but then there are some when they reach 80k and it failed. Not very common though.

 

The Op was talking miles so 170000KM is probably about right.

 

This is the very question I was going to ask today!

I have an '01 CL. Thought the previous owner had replaced the timing belt, discovered in fact that was never done. I'm at 130k miles, so I guess I've been lucky.

I've already put over a grand into the car this year & am about to pick up from the transmission shop, another $2500+tax. Crazy busy with family in town next week and two day trips (one about 80 miles, the other 250 each way) coming up in next couple of weeks. I'd love to put this off till mid-October when life settles down.

Are there warning signs w/ a timing belt or does it just snap? What happens when it goes? (i.e., will i just have to pull over and get a tow, or could it endanger me on a freeway?)

Can I push it or should I call my mechanic for tomorrow?

(Well -- just called my mechanic & earliest he could do it is Monday. Will probably put about 200-400 miles on it between now and then.)

 

Mando,

I was suggesting a loan..not a handout. You can also ask friends or other family members for a loan. Besides, banks pay almost no interest these days for savings and checking accounts.

Even though you are probably OK with waiting a few more weeks, why risk it given your financial situation ? A snapped timing belt can cause major damage since we have a interference engine in our TL's.

Also, start shopping around for deals. Good luck !

 

Like everyone else says, its a risk and a random one at that. I had a 96 Accord that went 200k after the original belt was replaced, I have heard of timing belts breaking at 20k due to faults. You just never know, there is no "right" answer other than to just get the service done and have the peace of mind. I am in the same boat as you, I bought the car with 100k on it knowing the belt hasn't been replaced, it has 105k on it now and I just don't have the funds to do it.

Any car manufacturer is going to under-rate the wear of a part like that, to be sure that it does NOT break on the consumer, they have to scare you into thinking it will break at 105k... In reality, your belt could last until 200k or longer, given your climate, driving style, and 100 other factors.

It is just like the great oil change debate. Some say to change the oil every 3k miles, some say every 15k. This does not mean your engine is going to seize up if you dont follow that exactly to a tee, but it also means you are shooting yourself in the foot in the long run.

If you are losing sleep over this, borrow money and replace it. If its only going to be a few months until you can get the funds, save up and do it then.

There is no exact expiration date on a timing belt, no matter what anyone says. For every 1 person that says "omgz it broke right at 110k" there will be 10 that rode it out until 150k or higher before replacing. Just keep that in mind.

 

Thanks Genokan. It's not so much a matter of the money -- it stings but I have it -- it's just the timing sucks. In a few weeks I'll have more time to think about this but in the meantime, my mom is coming for a visit next week, and I certainly don't want to put her in any danger.

Just trying to ascertain how dangerous it is if your belt snaps on you. If you're driving at 65 on the highway will your car go out of control? Or will I just have to call for a tow? Or will I be able to make it to the shop?

Like that.

 

Thanks I plan to get it done either at a Honda dealer, or Acura, or Indie shop, I love my uncle who owns his own mechanic shop for many years now, but I'm sad to say that I am worried he will screw something up, so I will get it done by specialist. Hope that money comes to me fast, I want to drive my newerish car again, even though I love my lil tegra.

I understand what you meant by it, but I do not want them to pay for it now, even though I can pay them back later, I will have to take the risk for the next 2 1/2 days driving it around, and pray that nothing happens. but just hearing others about possibly lasting another 1k miles is a bit reassuring but I understand that every car is different. Any suggestions to show how bad the belt is wearing?

Thanks for the reassurance, trust me I'm driving even more cautiously than this morning to the campus. I just wanted to make sure that the TB wouldn't snap if I didnt have it done idk withing the next day. Not mechanically savvy.

Thanks to all others who answered my question, time to do some deal shopping, but let my mom know that I was going to leave the car, she said start calling the dealers and see how much it would cost.Find the best deal.

 

TL has interference engine... valves can be bent and pistons damaged, resulting in a figure repair bill in the thousands. Car will not make it to the shop.

 

Mando,

It seems you are a little worried about the timing belt. All I am saying is it will cost you and the person lending you money little financial cost (if any).

The person lending you the money is losing only 17 cents of bank interest on a 800 dollar loan for 1 month.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, but no loans for me. currently paying off the TL. But do you know the list of what needs to be done at the TB 105k service? besides water pump, TB, coolant, and spark plugs?

 

There is no specified time change for the 3G TL, only MID which is @ 105,000 miles.

 

hey so ive been calling different Honda, Acura and Indie shops in my county trying to find the best deal and necessary parts. Was really looking to spend $700-850 for the service. Other shops tell me no tensioner or pulley incl. since in most cases havnt come across a Honda/Acura needing it, but v6 Toyotas yes.


Found a shop call Ricks Japanese Car Care, quoted me $980.00w/tax for the 105k service.
engine oil/filter(need that soon), replace spark plugs, all drive belts, Water pump, Timing belt, replace crank/cam seals. idler and tensioner (newer so he throws that in there), A/C belt, replace coolant, air filter & cabin filter(something is wrong with my A/C; weak), transmission fluid, tire rotation and checks valve.

thats alot of stuff, do I even need idler and tensioner?
All Acura OEM parts, and reviews have said that Rick is very honest, no BS on extra charges, great ratings. Been in business for 20yrs.

Let me know if this is a good deal or not, need HELP!!!!
Most Honda/acura indie shops quoting from $712-1200. and honda/Acura dealers quoting $850-1,350.

Some are minus a few things here and there, cuz either they are not needed after inspected or they just throw it in


This is so confusing when mentioning parts that are included since all I know is water pump and timing belt.

 

That's pretty expensive. You can get it for about $600 at some Honda dealers.

As others have said, nothing to worry about for a few extra days or even months. When you're driving, just remember that rpms are what stress the belt not throttle position.

 

^Can you tell me what is needed, I can call them up again and see what the difference is, but I just quoted everything that I can recall fellow Aziners posted on threads regarding the TB service,

remember members saying cam/crank seals, and tranny fluid, tensioner &pulley. But lowest for basic 105k was $712. Incl. TB, WP, drive belts, and coolant. at the Westlake Indie shop. Well known reputation etc. blah blah blah, that all the shops ive called have told me.

 

Not bad considering the additional items over and above the normal 105,000 mile service., e.g. plugs, seals, air & cabin filter, trans fluid. Curious if the checks valves you're referring to a valve adjustment, if so even a better deal.

 

^Yes, that is what I meant, checks the valves to see if they need adjusting. but this is way over my budget for what I anticipated to pay for, wanted to pay between $700-800 max $850. But would like anything less than $700, thts not going to happen.

Have a list of items that are essential to the B4 service? nd what really doesnt need to be added

 

Crank and cam seals and valves don't need adjustment unless noisy, air and cabin filter can be replaced at any time.

 

Okay, so that just leaves,
Tensioners and pulley,
TB,
WP,
coolant,
spark plugs,
transmission fluid(think I'm going to get that done somewhere else since I want to try this Redline ATF that everyone has been mentioning)
and drive belts.

Ill call tomorrow, I just want to get a better idea of the cost, and dealers and indie both said itll take between half a day to a full day.
Only 1 Indie shop said we can also split up the 105k service to lower the overall cost which was the $712.00. Ill pass on that option

 

Intake valves usually don't need adjustment unless noisy. Exhaust valves usually get too tight vs too loose for intake. They don't make any noise, they just get too tight and eventually you end up with a burned valve.

 

^what he said about valves being tight. I got mine done last wekk even there was no inication of anything being wrong.

 

Might wanna check this out

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/timing-belt-special-still-going-strong-%40-%24299-shipped-819990/

 

^Thanks... I think my best bet is to order the parts and get it done somewhere else, so many places and packaging for this 105k service, driving me crazy. I just wanted to do some research before I even looked into getting it done.

Will contact my uncle tomorrow to see how much it would cost get it done at his mechanic shop. shoot, ill even try to pitch in to learn how to do it. Family Discount FTW

 

This has been said before, many times, but thought it's now time for a reply.
Come-on guys, the exhaust valves of yester-year didn't rest against hardened seats in the head, might work their way into the head and gap would close resulting in a burnt valve, same as a worn cam lobe, but today’s engines are quite different. In the TL the exhaust gap is .011" min and may, over the course of 100k miles drop .001", where the intake may see a growth of the like amount .001", a far cry from any dangerous situation and if no mechanical problems are present, the intake valve lash increase might be heard over a period of time and then adjustment can be done.
Actually I have never seen a burnt exhaust valve due to the valve working its way into the head and the lash closing up.

The consensus that I've seen on this site is that the valve lash is nearly dead on when the adjustment is made after 100k.

 

Well I must have jinxed it, my car tire has a hole in the rear tire, its a point that it cant retain the air for long, so I had no other choice but to leave it at the closest tire shop to try and get a patch in the morning. Since that is my only means of transportation my cuzin will take me to the shop in the morning and I will need to wait for the shop to open.

 

Make certain they use a plug/patch, not just the plug material.

 

Just remember, there are people out there that don't know what a timing belt is and just keep driving their cars without issue. At least you're going to have it changed.

 

Well the tire shop is called Firestone Tire, I hope I don't have to buy a new tire, not in my budget right now.won't find out how bad the hole is til I get the wheel off. And they open at 8amPST and I have class at 9. So I hope it can done quickly.

 

I was surprised too when other members would tell. I really am into cars, and I want to take care of it for as long as I keep it so I want it to work mechanically. But Ill have some spending money to pay for the service once I get that money, wish the campus would process it faster.