iiamchili

Hi i got a noobe question, I was changing the motor mount on my 05 TL and i saw the timing belt is not that good looking. I have no problem with running or something but i think is time to change it or should i wait till 105k services ? Can i do the timing belt and leave water pump, pulley for the 105k services?

Thanks your comment ita helpful for me.

nfnsquared

Timing belt or serpentine belt? I'm guessing you were looking at the serpentine belt. You would have had to remove the top timing belt covers to see the timing belt.

What do you mean by "not that good looking" ?

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Probably the serpentine belt, so as it's inexpensive just do the change.
If you're into the engine to do the timing belt, change all available pulleys along with the water pump.

I have always been a proponent of waiting until the MID recommends the change, but as we may sell the TL next spring, I'm at only 91K miles but will be doing the change early so as to maximize the resale value.

polobunny

I imagine either dried, cracking or that special brown color that makes everybody think it's a 100 years old.

iiamchili

Yes is the serpentine belt im sorry. I was a little confused. But it looks old and tired lol ima taking pic tomorrow.

SalMar

I'm about to replace the serpentine belt as well this weekend. It is in the same condition you described. I have an 05 TL as well with 88k. I tried to check the timing belt by removing one of the covers but since i just could remove just 3 bolts due to the lack of tools at the moment i could just see a section of it and still looked good to me( not dry like the serpentine belt) but im planning to do the 105k service in a couple of months anyway

240sx acura tech

for an 05 tl your pass due on your timing belt by time. so you can do all of it at the same time. 7 years or 105k which ever comes first.

blueracer17

If and when you do the timing belt, make sure you replace the water pump, idler pulley, tensioner pulley and tensioner. Just did the T-belt on my friends 08' TL over Thanksgiving and it's not worth doing if you aren't replacing the other wear items. I'm going to do my T-belt next summer and will definitely be replacing the same parts.

polobunny

Alright. Change it, it takes 10 minutes at best.

iiamchili

I have to check my timing belt, probably next week

iiamchili

Thanks for the feedback everyone

nfnsquared

No!

MID "4" is the only criteria (excluding extreme conditions).

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

My 05 105k mile timing belt looked just fine. I would have ran it another 25k miles without worry.

240sx acura tech

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...179fc98005cb9c
heres a timing belt the was in an 05 odyssey. with 78 k. pass the time but not mileage.

240sx acura tech

That 500 dollars turns to 3500 real quick. but I know nothing.

polobunny

Yeah I agree with you. When in doubt, change it. If it looks dried out or in bad shape, no matter if you're close to the mileage.
Problem is, for most people who don't do it themselves, it's more like $1000 than $500.

NBP04TL4ME

It's interesting to see your pix and opinion on the TB. The time / mileage / MID interval is probably one of the most heavily debated topics I've seen here on AZ.

polobunny

Probably is, but a modicum of "stop, observe and think" is required. It's a highly debated topic because some people with A1 timing belts argue they don't need to change it (and they'd probably be right) and other people that expose their cars to high heat/very cold temps regularly seem to think only 105K prevails.
I mean, if you're able to DIY, it's really not that much of an expensive job. A long and annoying one for sure though.

nfnsquared

^^^^ fixed

NBP04TL4ME

It's debated on many fronts. I'm sure cost is a major factor and being able to put it off vs. catastrophic failure can be / might be / is a roll of the dice. (See what I did there? ) I've had two TB jobs done, but they were done on mid 90's I4 Hondas when the recommended interval was 7 years or 90K (IIRC). Both were done after (8 and 9 years) recommended intervals. I did these late only because the mileage was low. I'm going to be in the same situation very shortly. My 08 TL-S will be 7 years old next month and I have a little under 53K on the odometer (very short commute).

The debate continues..............

polobunny

I did see what you did there...

I think the 7 years rule is also a widely accepted thing, no matter the car. I'm preaching for the choir when I say change the TB, but my TL is at 85K and it's an 04 and the TB isn't done yet...

I've inspected it thoroughly and so did my uncle who I do most of my car work with and the TB is in a pristine condition but as you've said this might/might not be a wise choice to wait until 105K. I sure hope it is. :P

Went completely out of the way with my previous winter beater, a 2001 Mazda Protege ES 2.0L with 149K on it and no TB change. Non-interference engine so it didn't scare me at all...

NBP04TL4ME

My wife drives an 07 Lexus ES350 and it has less that 33K on the odometer and it's in-service date was Sept of 2006. So it's already 8 years old, but somewhat like your Mazda, I don't need to worry as it has a timing chain.
As an aside, I bought the car from a woman whose commute was <2 miles and had garages on both ends. She said she walked to work as much as she could and it had 15.5K on the odometer in 07/13