All,

My 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD just hit 105,000 miles. The car is not driven hard (no racing, or trips to the drag strip). The local dealer said it's time to replace the timing belt for $1850 (southern California area). Can someone please chime in and help with these questions ?

1. Do these timing belts really need to changed at this interval?
2. Chances of sever damage if not changed?
3. Anyone not changed theirs and have no issues (I've seen some wait until 170K) ?
4. Does $1850 sound about right (It's from a Honda Dealership that services Acuras as well)
5. If price is crazy high, any suggestions in the southern CA area (Laguna Hills area).

TIA

 

1. I'm not an expert, so it would be hard for me to tell you whether you should or shouldn't change it at the specified manufacturer intervals. However, I can say that most manufactures tend to give a little bit of leeway in their specified intervals.
2. The chances of any type of damage depend on the wear and tear of the timing belt, but I've read that the risk increases exponentially after 120k miles. The damage could be moderate or major depending on what issues you encounter with the timing belt. Moderate issues include: rough idle, loss of power, misfires. Major damage occurs when the timing belt teeth strip or the belt snaps this results in the camshafts stopping while the crankshaft keeps spinning. If the belt breaks the pistons could smash into open valves resulting in the valves bending, the pistons becoming damaged, and possible cylinder head damage. This could result in thousands of dollars in repair costs or full engine replacement.
3. I waited until the 150k mile mark to replace the timing belt with no noticeable issues, I wouldn't recommend this though, I just got lucky it didn't snap or strip any teeth.
4. The reason why this may be so high is because they may also be changing the timing belt tensioner, idler pulleys, water pump, and/or serpentine belts.
5. I'm not from that area in Cali, so I wouldn't know where to send you. lol

 

105K is normal per the manual - make sure they do a oil pump reseal while doing the job and new gaskets for the oil pump and also get a valve adjustment and new valve cover gaskets and a new PCV Valve and new sparkplugs too.

Is $1850 for parts and labor? If yes to parts, what is incuded? If yes that might be a pretty good deal, but make sure you add the oil pump reseal and valve adjustment + valve cover gaskets + PCV change + new sparkplugs. I also recommend replacing the timing belt tensioner and accessory belt + tensioner and idler pulley. This will keep the car happy for another 105K miles.