'06 Pilot- low coolant in reservoir?

[emntheboys]

I am doing an extended test drive of an '06 Pilot with just over 100k on it. I'm completely in love with Pilots but have had a hard time finding one in my area. They are hard to come by and then sell really fast!

Anyway, I had my dad check the Pilot over (he is a mechanic with many years of experience) and he noticed that the coolant reservoir was REALLY low- like there was barely any in the reservoir at all. Is this normal? It looks like the dealership recently changed the coolant. -40 and 10/11 were written next to the radiator cap if that means anything. The fluid is blue. He couldn't find any fluids leaking anywhere. Is it possible that they just forgot to put some in the reservoir or is this a big red flag?

It is also going to need the timing belt changed. Is this something a Chevy/Ford dealer can do, or should I make them outsource it to a Honda dealer?

Thanks!!!

[samc]

There could have been air in the system that finally worked itself out and essentially the coolant would have gone down in level in the resevoir. I mean if you're dad is mechanic have him check the obvious places for leaks. Otherwise I would think the dealership was too cheap to fill it up to the line...?

As for timing belt, the pilot uses a transverse engine (personally I don't know what that means) so you would just need to make sure the person knows what he is doing. Meaning don't take your car to joe schmoes.

[94eg!]

Yes it was probably air in the coolant. I've noticed there is no good way to bleed it out when working on these trucks. You just have to let it work itself out over time and be sure to keep checking the reservoir in the mean time. Buy a gallon of the coolant from the Honda dealer (called Type 2 and it's blue) for like $15-$20. Top the level off yourself. Just be aware the upper fill line is very far down inside the reservoir so the tank is always mostly empty.

As for the timing belt, you can buy a kit with an OEM belt and pullies from Gates. They make OEM belts for Honda, but they are way cheaper to buy in the aftermarket box (especially as a kit). Get the kit with the water pump (TCKWP) and have that changed as well. It should cost $170 shipped on rockauto.com. The only part in the kit that is not OEM is the water pump (OEM pump is made by Yamada). Then you can call around and ask how much labor is (probably do that first).

Any place should be able to do the work if you provide the parts. If your dad's a mechanic, just have him do it.

BTW: You will also need two gallons of blue type2 coolant, and a new PS and Alternator/AC belt to get the job done.

[emntheboys]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies! Air in the system does sound like the most plausible explanation. In the meantime I called the closest Honda dealer (~30 miles away) and talked to the manager. He said Pilots don't have head gasket problems and was not concerned about the low fluid. Whew.

I also asked about the timing belt and was told that the 105k service usually runs about $2000!!!!! No wonder this thing was traded in. He said they do the timing belt, water pump, belt tensioner, adjust the valves, and replace spark plugs/wires. Does all of this seriously need to be done right away or can some of it wait?

One last thing (haha), I dropped the kids off at daycare this morning and when I came out & started the Pilot, the radio did not work. It was powered up and the channels changed, etc, but it was like there was no output to the speakers. Did I hit a button and mess something up or is this another thing to add to the negotiation list??

[94eg!]

Well there are no plug wires.

Adjusting the valves is cool, but expensive. I would only have that done if the valvetrain seemed noisy.

The OEM parts are about $320 shipped from a place like G1 parts (timing belt, ps belt, alt belt, idler bearing, tensioner bearing, hydraulic tensioner, water pump, 2 gal coolant). Another ~$60 for new OEM NGK platinum plugs from a place like advanced auto. I would certainly NOT pay them $1600 for what amounts to a few hours work. They are probably doubling up book values for labor. 3 hours for timing belt + 3 hours for water pump, etc when it only takes 3 hours to do both.

A valve adjustment should not take more than an hour or an hour and a half plus the cost of gaskets (valve covers and intake manifold gaskets).

Look up part numbers on a place like Hondapartsnow.com.

[samc]

No the pilots don't have a gasket problem.

$2000 seems like he's trying to take you to school. I've heard prices in the neighborhood of $700-$1000. Some even as low as $400 with a special dealer coupon. As said valve adjustment isn't necessary unless you hear noise (ask your dad). Certainly the plugs cost extra but the spark plugs themselves are only like $50 I believe, your father can certainly handle that himself.

As for your radio I don't know, was the volume turned off?

Really you should ask your dad how many things he can do on the pilot. Beyond the water pump and timing belt he should be able to handle everything. Really the timing belt as well. And yes the belt does need to be changed at 105k miles sharp. After that you're playing russian roulette with your car.

[emntheboys]

Thanks once again for your replies. Lots of helpful info!! I think we are going to try to work the timing belt replacement into the sale. There are some other little things that are wrong with it (chipped paint, driver's seat is worn, damaged fog light) but if they are willing to take care of the belt/water pump issue, I'll forget about the little stuff. We have bought the past 4 cars from this dealer and they have always worked with us in the past, so hopefully it'll be the same this time.

Thanks!