timing belt change

[jzw]

Ok, it is time for my 2004 pilot to get a new timing belt. It has about 92k on it and I plan to keep it as long as I can due to the economy. I usually go to my neighbour who is a mechanic in his late 50s and works on cars for his whole life. But I am not sure if I should use him for the timing belt change. What do you guys think? Also how much you would expect for the labor, timing belt + water pump. Anything else I need to get replaced just as a preventative measure?

[humanoid]

Probably time to change the cam seals as well and maybe even the drive belts too.

[onu2002]

site:www.piloteers.org timing belt

[Chas_NJ]

My local dealership near trenton, nj is offering a timing belt special right now $390. It's a pretty good deal if you're in driving range. they do it 1-2 times a year. (i don't have any affiliation, just passing it on)

http://www.hamiltonhondaoffers.com/S...Service_Coupon

[humanoid]

Wow, that's a frickin' great price. Hmmmm, wonder if my dealer will take this coupon? LOL

[NJGuy]

Originally Posted by Chas_NJ

My local dealership near trenton, nj is offering a timing belt special right now $390. It's a pretty good deal if you're in driving range. they do it 1-2 times a year. (i don't have any affiliation, just passing it on)

http://www.hamiltonhondaoffers.com/S...Service_Coupon

Thanks for the heads up . I've got about 3,500 miles to go before I reach that service interval, but I might just go ahead and do it early because of the great deal. I have a feeling that if I wait, I'll miss out. Looks like I'll be making an appointment soon .

[normkol]

I can't believe that price!

It's too bad I work in northern NJ, Trenton is just too far away.

Maybe I can talk my wife into spending the day there waiting.

[Chas_NJ]

Originally Posted by normkol

I can't believe that price!

It's too bad I work in northern NJ, Trenton is just too far away.

Maybe I can talk my wife into spending the day there waiting.

fyi, they are about 5-6 miles off exit 7A of the turnpike.

[whizmo]

I'd wait until 105K. And this is major maintenance so unless you have strong confidence in your shade-tree guy, I'd take it to the dealer who presumably does quite a few, has the proper tools, and is more likely to stand behind the work if a problem develops.

Shop around for the best deal and look for coupons or specials.

I bet that $390 deal becomes a lot more when it is loaded up with the stuff that goes along with the belt and the usual add-ons.

- Mark

[Nicegy525]

Be careful who you let mess with your car on serious repairs. We had a lady come into the shop with a subaru that wasnt running right. Long story short, she had paid a backyard mechanic to change her timing belt and he left the crankshaft pulley loose. after driving it that way for ten months, the pulley finally wore out the keyway at the end of the crankshaft from wobbling back and forth. Only way to fix properly is to either tear apart the motor and replace crankshaft or replace entire engine... $3,300 later she will have a used motor installed and ready to go.

If not the Honda dealer, have your car serviced by certified professional technicians at a licensed and bonded repair shop who stands behind their work!

And while youre in there, replace the water pump and serpentine belt. Also check the idler pulleys and tensioner for wear and the cam and crank oil seals for leaks.

[kulisek42]

I agree with most on this thread, I would let a professional handle it. I do most of the work on my '04 Pilot myself (handled the infamous flashing D indicator with success - replaced the both 3rd and 4th gear pressure switches...but I digress).

I had a "special" price from my dealer of $790 which included the full kit change (belt, tensioners, etc...but no water pump). I took it to a certified mechanic not affliated with the dealer and he did it for me for $535. He didn't replace the tensioners, but he did say he checked them and they were fine...I trust him.

So I would say, with a quoted priced of $390 I would jump right on that, even if it's early. You shouldn't have to changed the belt again (according to the service manual), but I suspect at 200k it will need another change. But getting over 200k on a car, in my opinion, is worth the small cost of an additional timing belt change. Just my 2 cents.

WORD OF WARNING: I would talk to your dealer/mechanic/whoever you end up taking it to, about the possibility of damaging the power steering tubing. My mechanic said, with the orientation, there was a possiblity of that happening. It didn't happen when he changed mine, but you may want to discuss this possibility with whoever does your work. That could be an expensive mistake!

Good luck

[NJGuy]

Originally Posted by normkol

I can't believe that price!

It's too bad I work in northern NJ, Trenton is just too far away.

Maybe I can talk my wife into spending the day there waiting.

I live and work in Northern NJ as well, it's about an hour and 40 min. from my house according to Mapquest. Even so, I've already booked an appointment for Monday morning, as I'm off of work that day. It also helps that my parents live 30 min. away, so I could hang out there if I want.

They also offer courtesy loaner vehicles there with no extra charge, so your wife might not have to sit in the waiting room at all. As long as you book well in advance, they should have a car available.

[NJGuy]

Originally Posted by whizmo

I'd wait until 105K.

I would probably wait until 105K as well; but it looks like he's reached the time interval for the service, even though he's a bit below the mileage interval. It's a judgement call here.

Originally Posted by whizmo

I bet that $390 deal becomes a lot more when it is loaded up with the stuff that goes along with the belt and the usual add-ons.

- Mark

I disagree somewhat here. The timing belt service offered by different dealers in this area are in the $700-$800 range. I think the dealer by my house includes the timing belt, water pump, drive belt, and inspection of the seals (probably coolant too, but I'm not 100% sure). The dealer by my work is around the same price, but it does not include the water pump.

If I go to Hamilton, I wouldn't be surprised if they offer some type of add-on; but then again, I'd bet the other dealers would as well. So no matter what, you're still saving around $300-$400 on service when compared to the other dealers.

[theirishscion]

I've done a handful of timing belts over the years, and I've hated each and every one of them, even the nice simple ones on SOHC inline fours. Stressful, cramped miserable job. I imagine doing it regularly (like a dealership wrench) makes it a world easier though. I'm pretty much sure I won't be doing mine when the time comes anyway, though whether I take it to a dealership or an independent remains to be seen.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by NJGuy

I live and work in Northern NJ as well, it's about an hour and 40 min. from my house according to Mapquest. Even so, I've already booked an appointment for Monday morning, as I'm off of work that day. It also helps that my parents live 30 min. away, so I could hang out there if I want.

They also offer courtesy loaner vehicles there with no extra charge, so your wife might not have to sit in the waiting room at all. As long as you book well in advance, they should have a car available.

Driving to Atlantic City (etc.) is another option.

Also, Hamilton's service hours are until 9PM M-F, so you could drop off one evening and pick up the next.
They're open all day Saturday, too.

Originally Posted by NJGuy

If I go to Hamilton, I wouldn't be surprised if they offer some type of add-on; but then again, I'd bet the other dealers would as well. So no matter what, you're still saving around $300-$400 on service when compared to the other dealers.

The only typical add-on would be for the hydraulic tensioner.
Not a bad idea to have that replaced, since it may not last until the next timing belt replacement - if you plan to keep the vehicle that long.

Hamilton's price is that low because (according to my local dealer) they use part of their advertising budget to offset the cost of the service.
The expectation is that, after you've been there for one service, you'll become a repeat customer and, perhaps, buy your next vehicle from them.
Parts for the timing belt replacement total about $200, which leaves the balance for labor.
Thus, they're probably not losing money on the deal - even at the $400 price.