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Possible broken timing belt. Worth fixing/replacing engine?

9.7K views 14 replies 6 participants last post by  Schultz_58  
#1 ·
Bought a 2015 Pilot October '22, roughly 115K when we purchased. Now about 145K. No issues whatsoever until last week when I was driving home and lost all power. Thought it was the fuel pump, mechanic says its most likely a timing issue. Waiting to see the results of a compression test.

I'm kind of at a loss about what to do here...we arent't that far into the loan on the vehicle, so junking it really isn't an option.

If it is indeed a timing issue and the valves are bent, is it worth having them replaced? Or should I just try to get a new/used engine? Thanks.
 
#3 ·
Seems like folks always assume the worst when something like this happens. I've watched people tear apart the fuel injection and ignition chasing a no-start, only to find later that the tank was empty. Can't say I've never done stuff like that too. I like to think I'm smarter now, but I've proven that wrong too.

Meanwhile, you can remove the cover over the timing belt at the forward cam, and see if the belt is intact and tight. If there's actually a chance that the belt is broken, you probably don't want to perform a compression test unless/until the belt is confirmed good or replaced. No need to do more damage spinning the engine on the starter. Plus removing that cover is marginally faster than removing spark plugs, and gives a very direct visual confirmation of belt condition.

Your mechanic will offer costs for both the replacement and the repair options.

Were it mine, I'd drop the power unit, and either buy remanufactured heads or replace the bent valves in my own heads. Prior, I'd string a new belt on it and perform a leak-down test to identify which cylinders have bent valves and which (intake or exhaust) have suffered. The number of bent valves would dictate the remanufactured head(s) vs. "just" new valves decision. But I have my own metric hammers and screwdrivers, a lift to pick the car off the drive unit and crossmember, other vehicles to drive, and perhaps most importantly the time and patience to DIY the repair.

And... Welcome to Piloteers!
 
#7 ·
I filled up the tank earlier that afternoon and was REALLY hoping that I had gotten some water in the gas tank. I gulped when the mechanic said it might be a timing issue.

The mechanic said they were waiting to do a compression test to rule out a bad engine. So I should find out soon. Not much more information than that.

I would LOVE to DIY the valves. It seems like such a waste to toss out a good engine because of some bent valves, if that's all the damage that there is. Is there a guide somwhere to removing the heads myself? I'm not averse to spending hours under the vehicle, either.
 
#4 ·
If you're set on keeping the car regardless of needing a new engine or not, then the first step should be replacing the timing belt and seeing if you can escape without any major damage. You can get lucky more often than you think and not bend valves, and even if you repair or replace the engine, you'll need a new timing belt anyway. So might as well try it first and see what happens.

And you can't do a compression test without putting a belt on it and getting it back in time either. So sounds like a new belt is already going on it.

Usually when timing belts break on these engines and valves are bent, the bottom end isn't damaged and can be reused. So all you would really need to do is replace the valves. But usually if you're having the work done at a shop, putting in a replacement engine is more economical than replacing the heads.

FInding a good used engine would probably be a little difficult considering how many of these engines get junked for VCM trouble.
 
owns 2006 Honda Odyssey EX
#10 ·
If you're set on keeping the car regardless of needing a new engine or not, then the first step should be replacing the timing belt and seeing if you can escape without any major damage. You can get lucky more often than you think and not bend valves, and even if you repair or replace the engine, you'll need a new timing belt anyway. So might as well try it first and see what happens.

And you can't do a compression test without putting a belt on it and getting it back in time either. So sounds like a new belt is already going on it.

Usually when timing belts break on these engines and valves are bent, the bottom end isn't damaged and can be reused. So all you would really need to do is replace the valves. But usually if you're having the work done at a shop, putting in a replacement engine is more economical than replacing the heads.

FInding a good used engine would probably be a little difficult considering how many of these engines get junked for VCM trouble.
I'm set on keeping the car, I think. I like it a lot and there's the small issue of I still have a car loan on it, haha. Not sure what the shop is thinking because they haven't said anything about putting a new timing belt on to do the compression test yet. I think I'll find out tomorrow.

At this point I am considering parking it in my driveway, figuring out how to remove the heads and replacing any bent valves myself. I've been checking around for how to lap valves, we shall see how it goes. Thanks for the advice!
 
#5 ·
 
owns 2006 Honda Odyssey EX
#9 ·
I would LOVE to DIY the valves. It seems like such a waste to toss out a good engine because of some bent valves, if that's all the damage that there is. Is there a guide somwhere to removing the heads myself? I'm not averse to spending hours under the vehicle, either.
It's not the easiest thing with the tight space you're working with. But if you're up for it then it's certainly possible. I know someone who did this job in the parking lot outside his apartment, working slowly.
 
owns 2006 Honda Odyssey EX
#12 ·
At this point I am considering parking it in my driveway, figuring out how to remove the heads and replacing any bent valves myself. I've been checking around for how to lap valves, we shall see how it goes. Thanks for the advice!
If you do remove the heads, you'd probably want to get them machined by a machine shop before reinstalling.
 
owns 2006 Honda Odyssey EX
#13 ·
As mentioned earlier, take off one of the upper timing belt covers (10mm bolts) and have a look inside, and see if the belt is intact and under tension. Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to take off the front cam covers (Bank 2) and take a look. If you don't see the belt, or the belt is loose with no tension on either side, then that is likely your issue. This should be the first thing you do before getting worried about things that may not be your issue.

If the belt is intact, you can put a 19mm socket on the crank pully and turn it clockwise to roll the belt around, and you should see if there are any markings as to what brand of belt was put on previously, if at all.
 
#15 ·
Eric the Car Guy got lucky with timing belts more then once that I know so far! Check to see if the trimming belt is still in tack could be frayed real bad getting ready to break but has not broken yet. If it is still in tack your one of the lucky ones purchase a Aisin timing belt kit and roll on. If not then purchase a rebuilt engine from a good source let us know the out come. I am one of the lucky ones who survived a timing belt tensioner failure in my 2011 Pilot. Pilots are great vehicles but they do require routine maintenance to run well especially as they get older I will keep mine as long as I can keep fixing the minor issues that arise.