so with my 07 base TL, it's at about 136,000km (85,000 miles). it makes that "putting" sound from a cold start, which goes away after a few minutes when the engine heats up and disappears when you rev above 3000 rpm. this has been discussed on the forums, and people suggest it's a TB auto-tensioner that's lost oil or something.

anyway, even though i'm not quite up to the 105k miles maintenance, i thought i might go ahead and do it anyway and meanwhile replace the auto-tensioner, hopefully solve this noise problem.

i've noticed it making noise more frequently. before, the temperature would need to drop pretty low for it to make the sound, but now, even on a medium day, i'll hear the sound. it's not supposed to be a big deal, but i imagine if the auto-tensioner isn't working well, maybe that degrades the TB and puts pressure on all the other components that the TB touches, right?

also, i'll probably keep the car another 80k miles or so, so i can't avoid changing the TB at some point, might as well do it now and "enjoy" it.

so given these considerations, you guys think it's a good idea to go ahead and do the TB service a little ahead of schedule?

i would have my mechanic replace the TB, two pulleys, auto-tensioner, and water pump....i should probably also change the seals (er..which ones again)? he'll get a kit so it's not all acura parts (some are) but they're OE specs and the shop is pretty decent.

 

It is totally up to you, but make sure that is the source of the noise first. My OEM timing belt tensioner went bad and sounded like a clattering when it was cold. It progressed, as you said, over the period of a year. The noise would only occur occasionally and then happened every time the car was started cold. Super embarrassing. I would suggest replacing every pulley and tensioner possible so that you don't have to open it up again. I had this done a while ago and it included: the drive belt, drive belt tensioner, timing belt, timing belt tensioner, idler pulley, adjuster pulley, adjuster collar, camshaft seals, and an oil pump reseal. The last two depend on your car. My TL has over 200,000 miles so it needed the oil pump resealed. The camshaft seals were fine, but I had those replaced due to age. Pick and choose what you think is best, but remember it is cost effective to do it all at once while it is dissembled. The accessory belt tensioner is not too hard to replace later if it is fine now by the way. A lot of this depends on your specific vehicle. The spark plugs can wait until 105k miles.

 

well i can't guarantee the TB tensioner is what's causing the noise until i replace it. did the noise go away after you changed all that stuff?

definitely TB, TB tensioner, tensioner pulley, idler pulley, and water pump...and the camshaft/crankshaft seals.

i'm not too concerned about the drivebelt and drivebelt pulleys, i can do them later if necessary, isn't as hard to get to as the timing belt. plus, i checked out the drive belt and pulleys myself and it it still makes noise even with the drive belt off, so that's probably not making the noise

i already changed spark plugs myself couple months ago..er..for fun.

point is, if i'm going to do the TB eventually, i might as well do it now before it gets cold and this noise gets louder..at least rules something out

any more thoughts? would you guys do it in this situation?

 

I cannot believe I forgot to mention that. Upon replacement of those items, the noise did disappear. The source was the timing belt tensioner. Once the area was disassembled, I took a look at all of the parts. The tensioner was not actually that bad, but it was leaking oil indeed. Essentially, as it was operating cold, it would bang against the adjuster causing an indention and the clatter. If you have time, search "Honda Odyssey tensioner" on YouTube. Two videos should pop up showing a bad tensioner. Between an Acura dealer and the videos, I knew exactly what the source was. The noise was exactly the same. If you plan on keeping the car for sure, it would be a wise investment. My TL is much more quiet now after replacing everything. Unfortunately, it is kind of a gamble with the noise, but you did do some preliminary checks that would rule out other things.

 

I already did that whole service and I have 73,500 miles. But I did it around 68k I think. The actual rule says 7 years or 100k miles, or something like that. I had already passed the recommended "time interval" but not the mileage interval. So I did it anyway. My thinking was that if I keep my car past 100k miles, then I would have to do it anyway. I doubt I will keep the car past 150 or even 130, but if I did, then I would have to replace it anyway..

If I rolled the dice and waited until 100k, then a new belt would get me another 7 years or 100k miles.. But I wont be keeping my car that long anyway and I would be putting myself at risk.. So, I did it before 100k miles just to cover myself in case something bad happened.. I mean, I was going to have to do it anyway, because I do plan on going past 100k miles.. Plus the time interval had already lapsed.

So do it now or later.. wont matter.. odd are you won't keep the car another 100k miles anyway..

 

Wrong. RTFM. There is no mileage or time limit....

 

Here is 1....
--------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance Minder 4
5 Speed Automatic 4DR - Recommended service:

Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under-20°F, 29°C), replace every 60,000 miles# (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada)
Inspect valve clearance
#: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column on page 206.

 

Here is another... (still accessing..)

Acurazine is telling me my graphic link is bad.. But its not.. Go figure

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O...h735-no/tb.JPG

-----------------

https://owners.acura.com/service-maintenance/tips

Timing Belts – Original Fit is Critical.

Have your timing belt inspected at the recommended intervals — and at replacement time, insist on an Acura Genuine Timing Belt. Acura Genuine Timing Belts are designed for exact factory fit to prevent belt slippage and are constructed with original, premium materials for maximum durability and crack resistance. Don’t put your engine at risk with other brands. With an Acura Genuine Timing Belt, you can drive with confidence

 

still Acurazine will not take this link as a picture


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...h579-no/mm.JPG

 

Yeah I figure I'll have the car through the timing belt change, so might as well do now and hopefully fix the noise. I'm unlikely to keep the car yet another 100k miles or 7 years from now.

I prefer Acura parts, but the kits meet oem specs, usually because it's the same manufacturer but not branded as Honda or Acura. I got price for a kit that my mechanic has used regularly. I'll ask about oem, but it should be all right with a continental kit. Of course the official Acura literature is going to support oem parts, otherwise they'd be undercutting themselves, and some Acura executive would probably get fired if they endorsed the used of non-oem.

 

http://hondanews.com/channels/acura-...ertrain-part-2

 

There are OEM kits on Amazon, and rockauto, I believe (read on here, in other threads). Somewhere in the price range of $130+,I believe. If I find the other thread I will post the link.

Found a thread discussing other T-Belt kits, link below.

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...t-look-917386/

Another link....

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...amazon-887864/

 

As I said: RTFM...