js828

I was at my dealer recently and they recommended that I change the timing belt for my Acura TL 2003 due to the passage of time despite only having 41K miles on it. What do you guys think- should I go for it or wait for another 10 or 20K miles?

webmastir

105kmiles/7years. whatever comes first. since you're coming up on 7-8yrs, you prob need to get that done soon. age matters more on the rubber than mileage

btw, welcome
lots of good info here with lots of knowledgeable people. DIY list (stickied at top of the this section) has some good stuff...should check it out

fsttyms1

Age is FAR harder on the rubber belts than mileage. YES change it.

js828

Got it- thanks guys- I guess I'll go ahead and get it done. Also they found a "bubble" in one of my tires and and quoted $220 to replace it, and then further recommended that I might as well replace both rear tires so the ride won't feel weird. Does that sound reasonable to you guys?

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

How old and worn are the other tires?

A new set of Michelin Primacys might cost $700.

01tl4tl

go to a tire store or 2 to get prices on other tire choices
www.tirerack.com has reviews and test

01tl4tl

whats the reason for the low miles?

js828

The tires are the same ones since I bought the car new in January 2003. So a new set would cost $700- I guess $440 for 2 isn't too unreasonable then. Low miles because we work really close to home.

thelastaspec

I'm coming up to 7 years...
Only 49k miles...

Change in December or June?

rcb2000

I bought all four tires for 400 bucks, shop around, there are better options.

FirePR2002

^agree

TL260power

Just recently the dealer told me the same thing. I was over 2 years on my timing belt and that I need to change it right away. I know the guy that works there. Changing the timing belt would cost me about $1000 to $1300, he said. The guy told me he can hook me up with his discount and bring it down to $800. The catch is that I have to pay him cash and there will be no receipt. What you think I should do? The regular price is too steep for me right now. Are there other options to maybe knock down the price some. Let me know if you were in the same situation.

01tl4tl

find another shop and ask, look for private owner shops

ck each shops list of exactly whats getting replaced and for what price
some will not quote 'might be needed' parts like timing belt tensioner and roller pulley up front- then call you and boost the price--- for things we all knew you needed~

thats a normal dealer price you gave,,and the discount `no receipt` can screw you when something fails-like if a tensioner wasnt replaced- and your engine tanks!!
who is liable--you

save up to do it at a good shop, or an experienced acura tech at home would be ok too

save money by doing some of the work yourself--if they include oil change or the big rip off in price is spark plugs,,dealer gets 25 each for an 8 dollar plug plus a lot of time to replace--you can diy in less, for 50 bucks

thelastaspec

how much would it cost roughly for the dealer to do vs for me to do?
im at 49000 miles - 6.9 years - humid environment - what should i be doing?
Anything else to go along with this?

fsttyms1

You to do it, 100 bucks or so. Dealer 1200

thelastaspec

cool , i never realized how long of a job it was... that's a lot of $...

my plan is to try to get some tech or shop to do it at off hours or at their home (there are some Honda techs that build cars)...
or do it myself with a buddy...

at least my water pump and plugs aren't due or nothing else.
i can do the plugs myself down the road.
i have so little mileage its just time related things i guess.

maybe i can save some more $ by getting the belt myself...

TL260power

I was thinking of buying the parts somewhere else then bring it to the dealer. Does anyone know where I can buy what I need to change the timing belt?

AZN.M3NACE

I would try to find a certified mechanic or someone you know that is willing to do both the water pump and timing belt at the same time. Don't just do the timing belt without the water pump. I did my water pump and timing belt change at the same time, and my mechanic charged me 400 to do it.

thelastaspec

do i really need to get my water pump done at only 49k miles?
i thought that came at about 100k...

jean

This is just my worth for a quick reply..

My 02 TL had 64K Km or 40K miles +/- this spring. No winters on the car, but after close to 10years on the belts.... I went and got the job done...

I could have waited a LOT longer...........
Belts looked great..
I just need to find the time start another thread with pics etc.. I will post soon.
J

thelastaspec

Great idea!
There are some good honda shops in my city i heard
that might be the way to go.

AZN.M3NACE

yeah! and if you think about it, it will save you so much more money if you did both the water pump and timing belt like i said.

RUF87

It's too risky to gamble. I changed mine after more than 8 years and 86k miles and it looked really good, but weather, driving conditions, etc can cause your mileage to vary.

Ruf

RUF87

Yep, it's not that expensive (depending on where you get it from) and it's right there when you do the timing belt.

Ruf

01tl4tl

to not replace the water pump with timing belt is crazy talk!!
all that labor and not replace the heart of the engine while you are there?
If the car sat a lot the wp seal goes bad and leaks,,the coolant is old on the car in discussion,,,

ok to hold off on valve adjust with only 40kmiles,,but I would do it on a real 105 miles car,,makes a differance in overall running- every engine will have a few valves off spec by then

01tl4tl

when inspecting your old tbelt: you have to flip in inside out,
then use a pocket microscope or big magnifying glass to find the `spider cracks` deep in the belt grooves

bill_talbot

After just refreshing the timing belt and water pump on my 2002 I recommend doing them at once. The water pump is embedded in the engine behind the timing belt and hence if you wait that will only mean that all of your belts will come off at a later date. (unnecessary money spent).

Note that all you will see in savings is approximately $150 (if that) as the labor involved with changing out the timing belt doesn't change.

01tl4tl

his concern was low miles on car vs age on parts and un-needed expense

rubber parts dont like to sit- the seal in the water pump is lubed by the additives in coolant- flowing thru it keeps it in top shape

in normal 100kmile tbelt replacement- wp is done unless shop wants to screw you badly.
In another 50k that wp is going to fail and ruin the engine

smartypants

Hi All :

I love the way stealerships so casually pick your pocket. One tire (with 41K on it or 50% life left) with a bubble in it...change it now (at full list price...no discounts here !) ! Oh and you might find the ride a little wierd, so you may as well change the other one to (another tire with 50% life......still no discount) remaining. What about any tire warrantee ? Bet they even charge for the valve stem.

Next up.....timing belt replacement (always a favorite), $1300 all in (not including the $600 tire replacing above). Tell the customer that if he doesn't do it right now the engine will explode.....soon !......yeah that always works !

What you may not know is that not one TL engine has been reported damaged by a broken T belt on this site.........other than one person who had his changed and the replacement belt broke !

So, you go into the dealer with a bubble in one tire and come out the other end $2k lighter. Now that's effective marketing !

smartypants

TL260power

What's the site to get our parts at wholesale or if there is one for us? Anybody know?

TL260power

The guy told me at acura that if I don't buy the parts at the dealer then I won't get the 1 year warranty that comes with it. You know if something goes wrong they will be able to fix it. What I wanted to do is buy the parts at a cheaper price then bring it to the dealer and only pay for labor. But again if I do that I won't have a warranty to go with it. Any advice. I'm just looking to cut back on some prices. If I can save 40 to 50 bucks I will be happy because that's a lot for me..lol

newks1911

I am a new user of this site. Wanted to know about changing timing belt etc on an Acura 2004TL. I have a great private mechanic and he recommended that I change timing belt and water pump at same time at around 100,000 miles (it is now exactly 105,000 miles!). I have had the car since November 2003 so I feel pretty sure that it is time to do it. He quoted me $800 for everything (including tensioning etc) and this guy is always straight with you. Just wanted to thank all of you who contributed to this subject--sure helped me to make up my mind!

3.2TLc

Welcome Newks1911 !!!
Yeah, it's time for the full T-belt servicing. Sounds like ya got a knowledgeable and fair mechanic in your back pocket. Keep up on all the basic recommended PM along with keeping the tranny clean and your TL will reward ya with many more years of driving.

PS: For better and more specific info concerning your '04 TL....check out the 3rd Gen's Forum. You're presently posted in the 2nd Gen ('99>'03). Good luck