quanTL

Hi guys,

I was quoted by an independent shop 550 for timing belt and waterpump.
Does this service include replacing the tensioner?
I forgot to ask if the price included the tensioner.
Let me know what you guys think?

MarcoNorthPolo

You'll have to ask them. If they didn't mention the tensioner, then they probably will not include it for that price. $550 is a great price if it is included.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

You'd need to ask the shop, but also look at the other items:
Example-
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...423&cc=1430829

USNA93

As someone who had a timing belt fail (on another car), I'd say to weigh the cost of have the dealership do it (assuming you have good ones in your area). When working in coupons, a high mileage discount (based on age of my 2005), I was able to get it down so that the cost of having the dealership do it was worth it vs an independent. I too looked at a Honda-only independent but they were less than $100 cheaper...so went with the dealership where I got lunch, coffee, and wash. Agree with the other poster, if that price includes tensioner, that's pretty good.

erdoc48

It likely doesn't since the tensioner is ~ $100 by itself. If the indy shop has done TB's on plenty of Honda/Acura V6 engines, that should be fine as you want someone who has experience with these engines. I'd also recommend swapping the TB adjuster, TB idler, drive belt, and drive belt adjuster (source these parts yourself since I'm sure the shop would mark them up if you buy from them). Since they're that deep in the engine, it's good practice to change those parts as well. $550 is roughly what I paid at Hamilton Honda in NJ (and that $587 included the tensioner), so if your indy shop doesn't include the tensioner, you could do better price wise.

feynman314

Id say thats a great deal even if it doesnt include the tensioners. Im in Boston and paid almost $1300 at the Acura dealership for timing belt/water pump and all the other little odds and ends tensioners.

But, at least I know it was done right...

dirtyspitshine

The mechanic who helped me with mine said the job takes about 6 hours if you know what you're doing and take your time, but can be done in 4 with no complications.

You could also buy the Aisin kit which has Koyo pulleys, a Mitsuboshi belt, the tensioner, and the Aisin water pump. These are all the OE manufacturers that made the parts for Honda. The kit can be had for <$150. There are a number of threads on this site that agree on the quality of the Aisin kit.

4 hours labor should definitely be <$400, so $550 is an okay deal if it includes everything.

I hate cars

I don't think I would go that far, they screw things up all the time. The only thing you're getting with a dealer is a shop that has deep enough pockets to cover rework if you can get them to admit fault. Me personally I wouldn't let them replace my battery for free, I paid out of pocket and did it myself because I was afraid they would screw it up.

Doh21061

Ok so what all should be replaced when doing water pump and timing belt?

dirtyspitshine

There are many threads on this, but the garage will be really helpful.

Typically, you'll replace the timing belt, water pump, auto-tensioner, tensioner pulley, and idler pulley. You'll want to do a coolant flush and fill. It's also a convenient time to replace the serpentine belt, since it has to be removed, and inspect/replace the engine mounts (specifically the side mount). Some also replace the timing belt covers. You have to remove the crank pulley, so if you want to go with a lightweight pulley, it's a good time for that also.

Search around. There are a lot of threads on this.

livinthedream

Question: I just bought a 2004 with only 53K miles. Great find, great condition, but the timing belt hasn't been changed yet. Is this something I need to do NOW, or when it hits 100K?

ez12a

i was in the same position 3 or so years ago and got mine replaced DIY. Had like 60k miles on the car at the time.

Found that the water pump was weeping coolant and the hydraulic tensioner for the timing belt was shot. I would get it replaced just for that reason regardless of the belt condition.

pop off one of the timing belt covers, does the belt look greasy or wet? probably the hydraulic fluid from the tensioner.

If you can DIY, parts and some tools came out to like $300 for me and 12 hr of labor (first time doing it myself). I thought $300 was pretty nominal so I did it.