Timing belt opinions
 

Hi All,

I have just passed 80k miles on my 05 6mt. I have read lots of things on here about the timing belt change time, 7 years or 100k etc. My local independent Acura/Honda mechanic said that I shouldn't wait much longer than 80k to have the timing belt service done. I bought the car from Carmax and also bought an extended warranty that covers me up to 100k miles. It specifically says that it covers the timing belt and pulleys etc, and says that even non-covered parts are covered under the warranty if they fail as a result of a part that IS covered.

I've read that it is potentially a HUGE problem if the belt breaks while driving, and I could end up having to have the engine rebuilt. My question is whether I should go ahead and have the service done entirely out of pocket, or whether I should wait a while and see if it will go before my warranty is up and hope for the best with any repairs?

Any and all opinions helpful!

need timing belt, water pump, and spark plugs at 105kmiles.

I guess my question is whether or not the age of the car (in its 7th year now) would mean I should get it done sooner than 100k.

Honestly I think it's up to you... Whether you want to take action and get it done now, or wait until 105k to do it.

A lot of people here do it when their MID indicates it's time for the service. A few people do it before 105k just for the simple fact that they want to be safe or they found a extremely good deal on the price of the parts & labor so they decided to get it done.

Than there's also a handful of people here that never did the service until after 110k and their TL was just fine. So honestly if you want peace of mind than you can go ahead and knock it out now. If you don't have the funds for it yet, than waiting until the MID indicates it would be a good idea (usually shows up 100-110k)

I have an 05 also with 76k miles currently. I am going to wait till it's near 100k or maybe in a year or two to do the service. When I got the car I was debating if I should do it, I'm planning on waiting, hopefully it'll still be good.

"knock on wood"

this is my constant debate with my TL. i only have 57k mi on an 05. my dealer says 7 yrs or MID 4. mixed bag here on the forums...and the OM says 105k/MID 4. i remember reading somewhere in another thread that someone contacted acura, IIRC they said 105k/MID 4. i might get mine done next yr.

after reading several threads on others replacing their TB and finding that the belt looked brand new...gives me some confidence that the belt won't snap. there have been others who waited until 150K (though not recommended) and the belt looked pretty good. so :dunno:

^ same here- 2005 with only 49k and was thinking to do the TB this yr since its the 7 yr mark but decided to do it next yr. started to get the parts and even started to change some things here and there lol

my brother just had his done few days ago. 2004 with 110k miles (bought timingbelt kit on rockauto.com)

you are good for at least 8 years. I didnt change mine until recently (04) and had no problems.

Though there were a few things leaking: the OEM water pump and the hydraulic tensioner.

you might want to consider doing it yourself and save a good chunk of change. It cost me around $300 (tb kit and tools) and a saturday. It's cheaper and less of a hassle than changing springs/shocks yourself. It just might be a little intimidating.

Funny that your thinking the same... I just hit 68k on my 05' and called 3 dealers today for quotes on best price. This is furthest to closest to me.

1.) Hamilton honda in NJ was 464.00, 3 hrs driving one way
2.) Bobby Rahal Acura in Harrisburg, pa was 941.07 ,2 hrs driving one way
3.) Fairfield Honda in williamsport Pa was 751.00, 20 mins

This is for Timing belt, water pump, tensioner, drive belt, coolant....
Guess I'll be driving to Hamilton Honda.

Also note that all 3 dealers said I should be fine to wait longer and not have it done right away, but for the the price at Hamilton Honda I may consider just doing it before winter hits and not have to worry about it for another 7 yrs...

Debatable for me too....

My car is 05 currently at 63k and I was wondering many time if I should change the TB or not. But I would do it with no hesitation for at least $500 for the TB but not more than $900. I just wish that Hamilton Honda was located in my state.

Good thread. I have a 2005 Pilot with 80k miles now and was debating about when to do the timing belt. I think I'll buy the kit and do it myself next summer when it has about 90k miles. The TL is a year newer and has 49K- I'll hold off on that for another 3 years- perhaps at 75k by then. I'm more concerned about the water pump and will certainly replace that then.

I have an 05 w/ 47k miles, but i plan on waiting a year or two. Not on my to-do list right now. Probably around 60-65k miles but that will still take some time b/c its not my daily driver (bought the car Apr '08 w/ 27k miles)


My 99TL had 150k when i changed the TB.

Did my timing belt, water pump, and spark plugs last week. My 04 TL with 69k miles. Peace of mind.

Did my 2004 TL at 102,000 last year. Belt looked brand new FWIW.

I did mine just before 105k and a month or so before 7 years of ownership of my 05. The '7 year rule' might be because I'd heard coolant's lifespan is 7 years, after that it can become corrosive. Since the coolant is changed as part of the timing belt service, that might explain why your dealer is saying it's time.

coolant is 10 yrs or (IIRC) 120k mi...or MID 5.

My car reached 104k something miles before I was an "E4" warning on my dash. IMO, you dont need to change it at 80k.

Incorrect.

Correct.

I got very lucky with my wife's car, which isn't a TL (95 mazda mx-6). I was driving on the freeway with 103K miles when the TB snapped. Luckily there was no damage at all.

This experience got me thinking that doing it at 105K is probably the longest I'll wait. Sure, it'll probably be good to 150K in a TL, but is saving a dozen or two K miles worth it? Besides, most people won't keep their cars past 200K miles, so doing it at 105K vs 140K won't matter...

Recommended at 105k,but i have seen it with as much as 130k still looking OK.
My opinion,when you reach 100k start thinking about getting it done.

I'm pretty meticulous, but I wouldn't sweat it at 80k. I'm at 85k on an '06 and will wait the 2-2.5 more years. Time doesn't degrade a modern belt that's shielded from the elements. It's the constant rotation, heating and cooling cycles that come from the engine actually running that degrade it.