lucnex

iTrader: (3)

sounds like a dumb MID to me....that lilttle b*tch should calculate 7 years and then tell me to bring it in for service!!

ez12a

^that is if 7 years is really necessary..

lucnex

iTrader: (3)

Ill just wait till my timing belt breaks, then blame Acura for not having the MID tell me....maybe they will goodwill it hahahah

ez12a

the majority of owners will do the same I would think..

Non technical owners going by the book/manual and MID would have no idea of the alleged 7 year expiration date. Out of the 79 thousand TLs from 04, I think there would be at least a few hundred.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Thought we were done with this nonsense, but I guess when you say non technical owners going by the book you mean me, so how about the MID intervals for oil/filter change, spark plugs, air filter, cabin filter, etc, and all the other FSM service intervals, e.g. brake fluid? I guess we non technical people should ignore the MID and do whatever you might suggest as a technical person. LOL.

The key word here is alleged 7 year expiration date, so once again show me the money, I mean proof.

Might want to check the Gates and Goodyear sites for their warranty coverage on the timing belt as both say change at manufacturer's recommended interval. In fact, the Gates site specifies 105,000 miles and no years even on the earlier 3.2 TL's.

1995hoo

I have a 2004 TL with around 75,000 miles and I got mine done earlier this year (when I had more like 72,000 miles) because the water pump was leaking and was replaced under extended warranty. The timing belt and water pump are normally replaced together because of the labor involved and I felt that since they already had to take it apart to get at the water pump, it made no sense not to do the timing belt at the same time and save myself several hundred dollars on the labor in the process.

But that's a somewhat unique situation.

I have never seen anything calling for a replacement of the timing belt based on time (other than the dealer's word), but I also see the sense in considering it because of the way other rubber items can deteriorate. (Earlier this year we replaced the tyres on my wife's 2003 RSX Type-S. They were the original tyres and had plenty of tread because the car had only about 34,000 miles on it, but the sidewalls were deteriorating due to age and because the car is usually parked outside. That experience makes me pause and consider items like the timing belt more seriously.) If I were in a situation where the sole reason for replacing the timing belt was the time factor, I'd probably look first and foremost at my own financial situation to decide whether I could afford to make the repair or whether it would be better to save up for a few months.

ez12a

woah woah dont get so testy. Re-read my comment, I think there's nothing wrong with following the MID, as long as the manual doesnt specify a time interval. Since the vast majority of people will be following the manual to the T, you cant expect everyone to know of this supposed time interval if it's not even listed. Dealer's cant fault the owner either for following the manual that doesnt specify a time limit.

and you saw my "alleged" keyword. So defensive!

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

No it wasn't the "alleged" word that got my feathers ruffled, it was the reference to the non technical people going by the book and assumed that must include me as I was one of the proponents of advising people to go by the book.

Don't really like to think of myself as a non technical person, but if I took that remark out of context, sorry for the rather terse reply.

Bearcat94

I read it to mean my wife. Or that MILF in your neighborhood with the TL. Or your average, run-of-the-mill, it gets me from point "A" to point "B" reliably, comfortably and without costing an arm-and-a-leg buyer.

You know, the one's who aren't enthusiasts or otherwise car-knowledgeable.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Ok so I gotta question for you all:

I have ~94k miles on my '04, regardless of the '105k miles or 7 years whichever comes first' thing, should I get mine replaced?

I ask this because I called my dealer up a couple months ago and they said they will do it for $875. However, they have a special that ends at the end of THIS WEEK where they will do it for $600. I'm thinking of taking it since that seems to be a helluva deal. Anyone agree?

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

That's a pretty good deal. IMO, it's up to you. You can either do it in 9 months when you hit 105 or do it now for $275. The big questions is....do you think they will have a similar deal in 9 months?

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

I'd jump on it

Majofo

McDavid.. if so, check the fine print. Not all is replaced.. you need to pay extra for auto tensioner, idler pulley.. maybe even water pump.

lilsid112

iTrader: (7)

$600 isn’t bad for the 105k job. If you have the funds now you can save $275.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

I was thinking the same thing about a similar deal 9 months or a year from now. There are ALWAYS deals out there and I have 4 dealerships in my area where I can check the specials. I have this gut feeling something just like this will be back.

Actually this is at Goodson. I didn't call Goodson for this $600 one but I saw $100 off coupon for MacChurchill so I gave them a call today and they normally do it for $800 so now it would be $700 and they do include the timing/drive belt and water pump etc.

hmm

NAiL05

IT should be in your owners manual. I would change it. Lexus clearly states 6-9 years depending on year model of vehicle. Most newer cars are the same way unless it is a chain driven system.

eduthesamurai

Change it if you see it is getting worn out. There is people that changes it every 3 to 5 years just because they dint want surprises. I just change the 1999 dodge caravan timing belt and that car is at 125000 miles. It just really depend when you want to change it for the car safety.

1995hoo

The TL manual says to follow the MID. Reports from people here who have hit 105K is that the MID will display the code for the timing belt shortly after you hit 105K, regardless of time, and that it won't display it before then.