sharpWheels

Hello Acura Enthusiasts,

I want to take this opportunity to first give thanks to all for maintaining and enriching this forum with your knowledge and perspective! I have gained immensely from the advice and saved a good amount of $$$.

Now hoping to learn from your wisdom and experience some more ! :-)
My 2005 TL's Maintenance Minder is showing the B34 Service Due Now alert - have logged 105,547 miles. I know this means time for the big timing belt service/also transmission fluid replacement("3" service).
Per Acura's website, the "4" service recommendations are :
Replace Spark Plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
inspect valve clearance

I called one Acura dealership and they are asking for $1200 - said they could give 10% off labor. Next I checked a couple of Honda dealerships, and
this one Honda dealership in North Jersey quoted $599, but also agreed to match any advertised price from any Honda dealership as long as I bring a print out of the coupon - I have found a timing belt special for $499 on the internet; and a better one for $389.98 but this one specifically says Honda vehicles only.

I believe $499 is still a really good price ? But is a Honda dealership as good as an Acura dealership - would both would use the same Honda parts?
Should I be asking for a warranty of the work?
What all should I get done as part of the service - all of the above/anything additional(tensioner replacement)? I am not the most gentle driver - enjoy the way my Acura handles and would like to do everything that makes sense - since the labor is the biggest expense in this service.

Another service question - have never got the transmission fluid changed on my TL. Should I definitely get the flush done now - or do I need to consider addional factors? I know some Honda/Acura owners have had transmission issues after replacing the fluid.

All advice is highly appreciated!

Have a great night, all !!

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

Uh Acura is made by Honda so yeah they used Honda parts on our Acura.

Are they any better than Acura dealers? Depends on how knowledgeable the techs are and what dealer you go to. Vice versa.

Uh they should offer warranty on their work so ask bro.

Wow you never did the 60k service...........uh yeah get it done bro.

Yeah I would be more concern on what services you haven't done on her yet.

alex7

Op- there wasn't a 60k service per se so don't worry,this timing belt/tensioner/water pump thing is the big one- you can space out the plugs/valve adjustment until 115,000 if you want so as long as the car continues to run decent especially if $ is tight...I am worried about your trans though, I'm at 111,000 and I've done drain/fills about every 10-15k since 30k because of all the failures I kept reading about

sharpWheels

Thanks a lot, eV. Talking to Metro Honda in jersey city,nj. What other services should I check if done ?

All Thoughts/ feedback on dealers in north jersey are appreciated - would really help me to make the right decision.

sharpWheels

Hi Alex, thanks for your input. I will get the timing belt service done from a Honda dealership. About my transmission fluid change, is it better to go to an Acura dealer ? Or is it that it depends on the specific tech who gets assigned to my car?
Thank you.

Will Y.

Did you flush out and replace the brake fluid within the last 3 years?
If not, that should be done every 3 years-- it's the only item on the maintenance schedule that is based on time and not on the MID or mileage.

The Honda dealer should be fine-- the process is the same as that used in the millions of Honda V6 vehicles, and with the same fluid.

FYI, a "flush" per the manual is a 3 x 3 "drain and fill" rather than a mechanical/pump flush.

sharpWheels

Thank you, Will Y. I haven't done brake fluid change in a long time. Is $90 a good price and is it ok to get it done from a Honda dealer?

I know I have not been good with regular trans fluid flush service. I have some concerns on that now - as I have seen posts stating issues with the transmission if its done after a really long time - if the recommended schedule is not followed. Please advise what I should do. Wouldn't want to make a costly mistake and screw up the transmission.

Than you so much, all!

sharpWheels

Also, is it recommended to change tensioner when doing the "4" service ? This Honda dealership will replace timing belt,drive belt,water pump and coolant for $540 - they are asking for $145 additional for the tensioner though.
Is there something else I should consider ?

nfnsquared

Yes, I would have them replace the tensioner. Mine was OK, but several others found leaking tensioners at the "4" service. I wouldn't want to count on a $80 - $90 part lasting another 105K miles.

$145 isn't bad for a dealer. IIRC, list price on that part is around $90, so they are gouging you a little on parts and/or labor. Ask them if they'll cut a little off, maybe down to $110 installed...

And last, do a search. There are literally tons of threads on this subject where all of your questions have already been answered. Here's the link to the TB DIY thread for starters:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/122-diy-105k-service-timing-belt-water-pump-spark-plugs-thermostat-%2Apics%2A-784622/

sharpWheels

Many thanks, nfnsquared. Dropped the car off at the dealer after work tonight for the timing belt service along with tensioner - on the tensioner, they are not willing to come down from $143 + tax to $98(the price I was quoted by this other honda dealership 1hr 15 min away - since the odometer is at 105,560 miles and I didn't want to spend most of my saturday for this(plus the gas) - just decided to get it done locally. Will call the manager to see if they will come down a bit with the argument that they say they will match all advertised prices.
Are the following good prices - $90 for the transmission fluid exchange and $100 for the brake fluid change ?
Did search the forums earlier - will go ahead and continue looking for answers on my transmission fluid question.

nfnsquared

^^^^ IMO, those prices are not the cheapest, but they are not "out of line", especially for a dealer...

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Ron A

Banned. Thanks for the BPR.