bengreenspan

Tomorrow Im having the side Motormount replaced on my TL. The mechanic suggested he also change the timing belt being that i have 230k mileage on the car. He wants 800.00 to do the timing belt(which includes the water pump, etc..), money which I really dont have right now. I have never replaced the timing belt.

My question is, is it really necessary to change the timing belt? Can i get away with not having it changed out?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Luketic

You should have had that done close to the 105k mark lol. It seems you've made it quite a ways without it going. I would definitely recommend that you get it done, because if it goes while you're driving your engine is toast. They replace the water pump, timing belt, etc.

ez12a

OP might have done it at 105k, but he's due since technically at 210k he's due for another.

Ben, you should have received at least 2 MID indicators telling you that this was required. Did you reset these without doing the actual work?

It is definitely recommended to change your timing belt, unless you think your engine (worth a few thousand) is worth risking. 800 from an indy shop is a fair deal, assuming they know what they're doing.

Or cut your losses and sell the car since it's pretty high mileage anyway.

getnbze

Where are you located?

bengreenspan

Im in Long Island NY.

Thanks for your input. I am having it done. I hope it turns out OK. I want to see how many miles i can put on this car before it dies.

Kwang05tl

that sounds like a fair price for a shop doing it for you...

dannyz

Ben, was the timing belt ever done? Are you the original owner, or did perhaps the previous owner replace it?

It would be interesting to see if a belt can go that long. I've always stretched my Honda timing belt replacements 20-30K miles. But this would be seriously impressive longevity in the off chance it's the original belt.

bengreenspan

I am the original owner. Bought it new in October 2004. That was the first time replacing it. Replacing the timing belt and the side motor mount really made a difference in how the car drives.

Problem is, 3 weeks after I had it done, my transmission failed. It is now in the shop being fixed by the same guy who did the timing belt(although he sends it out to a tranny guy, he doesn't do tranny's). 2900.00 to rebuild.

By the way, the total repair came out to 1500.00. Turns out i needed a radiator as well, it was leaking. So, 800.00 timing belt, 500.00 replacing motor mount(the part that bolts onto the engine was stripped and had to be replaced, other wise is would have been 150.00 less), and 200.00 to replace the radiator.

I'm spending alot of money fixing this car. It is a great car and despite having such high miles its still in great condition. I did the struts last year, and together with some really good tires that was 1300.00. Grand total in the last year, 5700.00.

I hope I can get another year or two out of the car.

ez12a

this is the first time you've had the TB replaced after 230k? way overdue.

side mount is really easy to replace..i cant imagine the bracket being that expensive, but who knows.

makes me wonder what maintenance wasnt performed.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

holy crap you have 230K mi on the original TB??!!

and i was worried about my TB with 57k mi and working towards th 8th b-day.

dcmodels

But how many operation-hours do you have on your timeing belt?

Keep in mind that the OP's vehicle is also *only* eight years old (Oct 2004 new purchase), regardless of his mileage. A rubber belt deteriorates from oxidation caused by heat and ozone, as well as mechanical wear. Gates suggests, for example, to replace an accessory belt every 4 years regardless of miles. For myself, I also take a very careful look for deterioration of an accessory belt, if I do not plan to replace it at that time-frame.

Unfortunately, the MID cannot (or at least, does not) track calendar time. Does the TL owner manual say anything about replace-on-time, as well as mileage? So, when you *should* replace your timing belt, is up to you.

And for those impressed by a high-mileage timing belt, I have seen many other vehicle parts last for very high mileages, IF the vehicle operational-time frame was short.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

^^OM only states to replace TB based on MID 4. no time frame given. if the car is driven/lives in extreme climates most of it's life then they recommend 60k mi change over the 105k.

there are not many places in the US that would be defined as constant extreme temps. this factor for TB change has been debated endlessly already.

Manimal_Forever

$800 is what you people consider "decent". That's what I call highway robbery. Only at the dealership would I expect to hear such a ridiculous price.

At any rate yes, go ahead and get that done, as others have pointed out it would be foolish not to do so.

ez12a

going rate for TB jobs from the dealer seem to be around 1-1.2k (not including the now expired hamilton deal)

800 is pretty decent from an indy shop. The japanese specialist shop I always go to wanted $900. I ended up doing it myself.

I think the robbery came from the side motor mount + bracket swap. Those parts combined on acuraoemparts.com equate to under $100. How does that become a $400 labor job?

50820-SEP-A21 RUBBER ASSY. 001 2005 TL $52.69
50620-SDB-A00 BRACKET, ENGINE SIDE MOUNTING 001 2005 TL $20.83

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

^^acura's aren't cheap to fix (or mod for tht matter). i'm with you. i thought the $800 from the indy was a good price.

last time i had a TB job done on a car...my old civic HB at the 120k mi service. that was almost $700 at a honda dealer about...12+ yrs ago. cost of inflation.

Bobzmcishl

The dealer in California wanted 1,350.00 and that was after a $ 150.00 discount coupon. The indpendent shop wanted 895.00 less a $ 50.00 coupon. My automated estimator said the job should not have cost over $ 600.00.

Stariondriver75

I hope that the OP doesn't make people think that they can go 220k with out changing timing now.

Listen people, this is a pretty amazing feat that he made 200k on an original timing belt etc. Don't try this at home. That's one maintenance routine you don't want to "chance".

To the OP. Glad to hear a tech pointed that out before it made itself very apparent to you. I'd be interested to get pics of the belt.

samplemonster

Plenty of shops in expensive So Cal that will do timing belt for $650 or less.

Sorry to say, but if he only replaced the engine mount on the timing belt side then charged you $500 for it you got royally taken advantage of, as it is easy to access during the timing belt job. Furthermore that specific mount is only $45-50 for a genuine acura one.

ez12a

Could you name a few? for future reference for members?

cokorote

iTrader: (1)

230k without replacing the TB? That is one lucky fella guys....

geepurs

This tread is very interesting and I find it useful. I have a 2004 TL Automatic with 75K miles on it. DCMODELS answer above highlights some important facts "...A rubber belt deteriorates from oxidation caused by heat and ozone, as well as mechanical wear...Unfortunately, the MID cannot (or at least, does not) track calendar time. " which I have been wondering about myself. My TL was new March 2004, so it is now 9 years old and I have been wondering if I am really due for a belt change even with low mileage and time rubber aging is a factor as well. When I previously researched this it seemed 10 years was a life span, 80-100k miles. If you use the 105K marker as a time limit to change, it was most likely based on the average driving of 15K miles a year or 7 years of around the 2004 time frame. The manual does not cover time and I am considering getting the belt changed based more on time. Dealer wants $1200 but I am looking into an independent shop. Does anyone agree with my analysis?

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

^^i've read some other stuff where people questioned their TB change all over the web. some have gone 9-10 yrs without issue and they were encouraged to get it replaced b/c of time. there have been others on here with low mileage TLs and changed their TB at 8 yrs or so and the belt looked pretty good. i understand peace of mind as others have pointed out and the inherent risks of the TB snapping.

i'm in a similar boat as you, low mileage TL turning 8 yrs old this year....i was thinking of getting mine replaced within the next 12 mos or so.

Slpr04UA6

^same here only mine will be 10yrs next February! I only have ~62K on my '04 and am getting ready to order the parts, to have installed in the next 6months. Still debating the OEM kit vs. the rock auto kit........

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

^^OEM (gates). you gotta figure it lasted this long.... this is just my personal preference though.

ez12a

the "rock auto" kit that's in the 105k DIY thread has the same branded components as the OEM kit but for something like $100 less. Gates belt and Koyo pulleys (including tensioner pulley). Hydro tensioner I forget the exact brand but it's the same.

Only the water pump in the Gates/Rock Auto kit is not OEM.

There's also an Aisin kit on rock auto that i believe has a japanese made water pump. According to Rock auto's site it has all OEM/japanese parts. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...456&cc=1429130

You cant go wrong with either. i have a Gates kit installed in mine I did myself some few thousand miles ago without problems. Unless you have a dealer you want to support, go with one of the rockauto kits. with the Aisin kit you're literally buying the same thing the dealer has without the mark up.