Timing Belt Change

[STL_ITR_01]

Well, it's time to change the timing belt in my ride. It's an '01 with 61K miles. I checked with the dealership and they want $1030 for the complete timing belt service. This includes: water pump, accessory belts, tensioner, etc. I'm doing the valve adjustment too and they want $230 for that.

Does anyone know of anyone in the St. Louis area that could do the labor and save me some $? But not just anybody, they would have to be reputable and stand behind their work.
Just wanted to check on this before I get raped by the dealership.

[MotorChan]

I thought the factory schedule is at 105k to change Timing belt..

Why change so early?

[STL_ITR_01]

I thought the factory schedule is at 105k to change Timing belt..

Why change so early?

The book calls for 105K or 7 seven years. Parts wear out with age as well as miles.

[MotorChan]

Oh, sorry.. I forgot car ages with time too

I just got mine done (105k) a couple weeks ago, it cost $650 at my dealership without the valve adjustment.

[Dave_B]

I would NOT wait 105k to change...

I don't care what is recommended (though I've always thought it's more along the lines of 75K)

Personally (and I'll do it myself, belt is hella cheap) I do it around 50K.

[MotorChan]

50k is overkill in my opinion, but if you can do it yourself, more power to you

[Dave_B]

50k is overkill in my opinion, but if you can do it yourself, more power to you

And 105k is retarded... especially when the car see's 8400 RPM redline let alone any track time. I'm sorry, but it's a cheap part and cheap insurance. Not to mention belt failure = motor goes bye bye = a lot to rebuild it, that is if the block is salvageable.

Learn to do it yourself, it's not hard at all, can be done with simple hand tools and it WAY cheaper than a stealership charging someone $600. There are plenty of write ups on the web. Not to mention you get to learn something about your car.

Cheap insurance = save money on the back end.

[coolhandluke]

Honda recommends the belt to be changed at 80k, 105k is really pushing it. As Dave said, it sa $50 piece. Should it fail, you are looking at damages in excess of $1500 or more. Items like the head or block can be ruined when this piece fails.

There are plenty of write-ups and it really is a great way to dig into the car. Get the recommend tools, a helms manual, and take your time.

[MotorChan]

I'm no expert. However, my owner manual said 105k to replace timing belt.

May be the owner manual is retarded as Dave said, or I'm retarded following the owner's manual.

I did go through some instruction online, and I don't think it is that easy like breaking the crank pulley bolt free, adjusting tensions, etc.. If you guys think it is that easy, I might look into it again next time when the time come

[Dave_B]

I'm no expert. However, my owner manual said 105k to replace timing belt.

May be the owner manual is retarded as Dave said, or I'm retarded following the owner's manual.

I did go through some instruction online, and I don't think it is that easy like breaking the crank pulley bolt free, adjusting tensions, etc.. If you guys think it is that easy, I might look into it again next time when the time come

I thought 105k sounded odd. I've always thought it was around 70-80k but replaced sooner due the RPM's and such that my car see's

If you need help when you get ready, just create a thread. Us "We-Todds" have a few tricks to do most things on these cars, with simple hand tools and done on the groun or jackstands... track side.

just let us know and we'll help ya out.

[coolhandluke]

...just let us know and we'll help ya out.

[/quote]

:thumb up:

[STL_ITR_01]

I got a quote from a mechanic that's done work on both my ITR and GSR before. He said he'd do all the labor for $400, and that includes checking valve clearance. This seems reasonable enough for me. I'm sure it would be a nice learning experience doin' it on my own. But I just don't feel comfortable using my ITR as a guinea pig since I'm not a mechanic.

I looked at Delray Acura to get prices on parts. They totaled up to around $210. They list a timing belt tensioner for $57 which is the most expensive part of the bunch. The belt itself is $39.
Does the timing belt tensioner need to be replaced as part of this procedure?

[Doespike]

I would replace it. Some have been known to fail after awhile. As long as you're in there...doo eet.
Still a cheap piece of insurance.

[Dave_B]

I would replace it. Some have been known to fail after awhile. As long as you're in there...doo eet.
Still a cheap piece of insurance.

Totally agree, and especially if your not doing it yourself and paying someone else. Get all the things done you can while you pay for labor ONCE, instead of paying that same $400 later for something else silly.

Cheap insurance is the name of the game.