GraveDigger

Hitting 100K this week in my 03 TL-S. I've had the car for about 2 years now and I feel like I'm at a crossroads on the future of the car. After owning the car for less than a month the trans went out and I had a 2006 Accord trans put in. While I'm happy about the reliability, I'm not a fan of the different shift points going into 4th. Besides that and the starter epidemic I had earlier this week, it has been a pretty solid car. With it being 100, I know its time for a new timing belts along with brakes and maybe a few other maintenance items. Before I start looking at trading it in, I just wanted to see who has tackled the timing belt and what would be the best value. I've been looking at RockAuto and they have several waterpump/ timing belt kits for a decent price but with no knowledge of the brands, I'm a little skeptical. I guess a remanufactuered starter can make anyone a little nervous when it comes to replacing things. Also when looking at brake rotors, I want to buy something that will last but also help in the rain so I'm wondering if I should spend the extra and get drilled and slotted or just stick with the normal style rotors?

MarcDavidoff

Still a baby at that mileage. I would say since you already now have a more reliable trans in it, get the TB job done and it should keep going a long time. Where do you live? You may be able to find someone local that can do the TB job for a lot less than the dealer. So far as the brand of the WP and timing belt, I would go with OEM. I've had aftermarket water pumps fail prematurely. Aisin is OEM and should be on Rockauto or Amazom

acutee

100k miles is still very new for the TL. For TB kit, get it form Amazon, just search for Aisin Timing Belt Kit, they are oem brand; or search az and you will find it, many members had posted them. For starter, I don't think it is bad with a rebuild unit as long as you can find an OEM reman.

johnson-rod

My first timing belt change was in a February so I looked around for someone else to do it. Dealer was close to $2K when all was done. Local well respected garage quoted $450 - actual cost was $650 and they put a scratch in the bumper that they had to fix (poorly).

Just did my second timing belt myself. Rockauto kit $150. Parts are Asin, belts are Gates. Rockauto's problem is their shipping is slow regardless of how much you pay for it and the boxes always look like they were run over by a truck. None too pleasant over the phone either...

I just use regular rotors and calipers from the local 'boutique' auto parts store.

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

Practically brand new. Have you replaced the cabin air filter yet?

GraveDigger

Yeah looking at what I paid for it (6500) and what I can probably get 3k - 4k, I think its worth just doing the tb. I might do it myself to save on the labor but I know someone that would do it for around $450. Cabin filter has not been replaced and I was actually curious of how much of a pain it is to replace?

MBP 03

It's not a bad job at all. It basically involves unbolting the glove box strut on the right side and removing the two retainers on both sides of the glove box, which will then allow the glove box to drop all the way down to the floor.

The cabin filter is located behind a plastic cover that will be visible once the glove box is out of the way.

musiclevelz5

For the timing belt get the Aisin TKH-001 kit. Its 197 bucks on Amazon.

I would get a new starter and not a reman. The one i use and never had a problem with is the TYC 117728. 87 bucks on Amazon.

As for rotors it really doesnt matter what you get. I have used cheap and expensive ones on my TLS and have not noticed much difference.

Chojun

Cars are generally not an investment. Instead of looking at how much you can get for it, look at how much it costs you to drive (maintenance).

If it averages out at higher than about $200/mo then it's time to get a new car if you don't love yours.

Anyway, at 100 with an AV6 your TL has been broken in and is ready to go for another 100 (or 3)!

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

The cabin air filter replacement is fairly easy and very satisfying. AC worked SO MUCH better once replacement was made.

I *think* the first time you replace the filter the cover has a plastic part that gets cut (and the instructions are on the cover). But I may be thinking of a Subaru . . .

SuperGreg

Depends on how much work you're comfortable doing yourself... I just hit 200K on my '02 TL-S and just did timing belt, water pump, drive belts, spark plugs, side/rear motor mounts, replaced coolant, and cleaned EGR ports.

The hardest part was getting the crankshaft pulley bolt off. That thing is no joke. I've seen a video where a guy applies a torch for 5-10 seconds then it spins right off. I might try that next time I do it.

Get the factory service manual PDF if you don't have it already.

murky

I'm at 160K miles on my 2000 and had the timing belt done at 100K. I'm pretty sure its the last timing belt this car is going to see. Odds are it will last longer than the rest of the car.

SuperGreg

Maybe? I'm hoping to hit 300K in mine. I'm sure I'll have to replace a tranny before the timing belt.

Also, OP - I don't think it's worth the $$ to get drilled/slotted.