Automotive Advice
- Thread starter Cy4Lifer
- Start date
Those are two items that are vital in them not breaking. The belt also probably has a tensioner of some sort that you should replace as well. Even if the belt is in physical good shape, rubber still dries out and that could lead to cracking. At high tension, a crack is all that is needed to cause mis timing problems which, if on an interface engine, will likely lead to engine damage.
Most timing belts that I've replaced have been 100k OR 8 years. Timing is important on rubber belts as well, ESP timing belts.
Most timing belts that I've replaced have been 100k OR 8 years. Timing is important on rubber belts as well, ESP timing belts.
We purchased "my" first car when I was just about to enter high school. We paid our neighbors $100 for their old station wagon which needed a new timing chain. We paid something like $73 bucks for the new chain and materials and changed it out ourselves. Then after putting that work in they gave it to my older sister to drive until she graduated. She willed it to me in our high school yearbook.
another vote for do it, and that price seems decent.
i do my own automotive repair typically, and a timing belt on a transverse v6 in a van is likely a pain in the a$$. That van will typically run 250k miles, so you are definitely doing regular maintenance and its not something you want to attempt if you dont have the proper tools and knowledge.
if nothing else, get a couple more quotes from independent shops to confirm the cost/labor...
i do my own automotive repair typically, and a timing belt on a transverse v6 in a van is likely a pain in the a$$. That van will typically run 250k miles, so you are definitely doing regular maintenance and its not something you want to attempt if you dont have the proper tools and knowledge.
if nothing else, get a couple more quotes from independent shops to confirm the cost/labor...
I'll tell what I hate pumping money into car repairs but since I haven't had a car payment in years as long as it is not something completely ridiculous I always look at repairs as it's still cheaper than buying a new car if I can get several more miles and years out of my current vehicle. Just had one of those moments with our 2007 Impala last month that only has 107,000 miles on it (it's basically our in town driving car at this point.) Had been putting off a noise going on in the rear suspension that I knew we eventually would need to do something about then 1 day it got noticeably louder and was driving different. I tried to limp it along for a couple days since my drive is much shorter to work than my wife's and about a mile from home the day before our appointment to get it looked at something failed and the back tire blew. Had to tow it in so me putting off the repair cost me an additional tow and new tire from a part in the suspension having what they called "a catastrophic failure." Found that another wheel bearing was going out in the process of inspection too, told my wife the car and motor in itself is in good shape for it's age so having to replace some wear and tear on a 12 year old car sure beats a new car payment on top of all the other expenses we have going on right now. I figure if we can get at least 3 more years out of it without a major repair will be in a better spot to take on a car payment with the last kid out of daycare by then.
Well, they nabbed the hok dine and dash guy. Maybe there is a dirty hok out there that will stiff his auto repairman. I'll let you know if I hear of anybody like that. Have a nice day.
This is one reason why I buy new cars...
My son's $5,000 great deal last fall is now in need of ~2,500 in repairs. Catalytic converter, cracked manifold, leaking windshield, door actuator, new tires.
We had a 2003 Honda Odyssey that I sold to my nephew back in 2013 and it had 123K on in at that time. I told him when he bought it from me that he would need to change the timing belt on it soon and he thought I said serpentine belt so replaced that. 3 months later timing belt went and instantly the van went to scrap metal price value. I'd get it done. I would also make sure you put in the new water pump and belt tensioner as they are cheap fixes. Maintain Honda engines and they'll last forever.
O'Reilly's has the entire timing belt kit with water pump for $200. Know anyone who is mechanically inclined? Not sure how tough a job it is. Surely it's not a walk in the park but $800 in labor......
Parts from a dealer/mechanic will have more markup than that (probably 2x), and it's 5 hours labor time according to the service manual. He'll definitely want to use OEM parts. For a couple schmoes drinking beer in the garage, that's probably 8-10 hours. And there's the risk of moving something when pulling or installing the belt, which is no bueno. Spin the cam and fire it up and you're eating a lot more cash.
It can be done. I've changed one timing belt in my life (an Audi A4). Car ran fine afterward. Won't do it again.
Can't hurt to ask if they will price match on parts for what you can get elsewhere. You can buy OEM Honda parts from a number of places online at much lower prices so perhaps you could just bring those to the dealer yourself. I haven't done this with engine repairs/maintenance but I bought tires online and took them to a Honda dealer for installation, and when I had an OEM Honda hitch installed, the dealer parts department matched the price I found online. Both yielded significant savings.
Honda's are notorious for timing belt/chain problems. Get it fixed, or get rid of it. Had an 83 that broke a belt and bent the rods at 110K. $1,400 30 years ago. Sold our 2005 Civic at 125k also because we hadn't touched it.
Car repairs are not that hard if you can turn a wrench. BMW dealership wanted close to $600 to replace the gasket on the oil filter housing. Bought the gasket from the dealer for $6.00 and did it myself. I've done most of the repairs. The car now has 200,000 miles and is going strong. Gave that 5 series to our daughter. Love my MB now.
Car repairs are not that hard if you can turn a wrench. BMW dealership wanted close to $600 to replace the gasket on the oil filter housing. Bought the gasket from the dealer for $6.00 and did it myself. I've done most of the repairs. The car now has 200,000 miles and is going strong. Gave that 5 series to our daughter. Love my MB now.
Don't know a thing about your Honda, but a lot of cars run the water pump with the timing belt, so that is why they want to change both. Over the years I have done a few timing belts and they can be a nightmare. I have never done one that was easy. Just an extra cost to modern vehicles. Might be able to save a few bucks at an independent shop.
All of these headaches with cars makes me feel like I’m in HS worrying if my wheel is going to fall of the Beretta. Could never deal with this crap now.