[Dnick]

........... will buy & gladly pay $800 to $1,200 for the Timing Belt service.

Not gladly. Begrudginlgy.

My perspective is probably distorted because I've never paid anyone to replace a timing belt. Even on the RL (costs a bit more than some), it costs me less than $200 in OEM source parts, & a little time & effort to get me good to go for another 100K miles. Costs are even less if you want to use cheaper parts or skip the water pump 'til 200K, which is a very low risk move.

But no, I wouldn't be keen on paying over a grand for this service either.... (also don't forget that some of our more resourceful members have reported being able to get reliable shops to do this complete service for under $500)

Call me a fan boy, but belt or chain, foreign or domestic, Ford, Honda, Fiat, or Lada; makes no difference to me as long as it's reliable. No, I don't mind changing the belt on any vehicle that requires it.

 

[fftr]

$1,100 every 7 years or 105,000 miles

basically is $157/year or $0.01 per mile. Doesn't seem outrages to me.
Newer vehicles go longer between intervals. I use to remember when I had to change plugs and points every 12k.

When a person can, they should set aside a small amount each month into savings to cover planned maintenance down the road.

If the reliability is there, I don't care if its a chain or belt.

 

[S.T.U.V]

Timing chains systems do not last the life of a vehicle.The chain itself might but Multiple manufactures have guide/tensioner failures. Not as common as t-belt but a lot more damage usually when they go.

I believe main reason for t-belts is the less rotating mass. Especially for smaller displacement motors

 

[longboat]

What I would like to see is a timing belt on a non interference engine. But then Honda dealers would lose a lot of money on maintenance items.

 

[CentexG2]

Not 'having a fit' nor 'bashing timing belts' but I am curious .....

Does anyone know if the G2 RL engine uses a belt of the type that runs in an oil-bath or is it the 'traditional' type that runs dry?

Example: Timing Belt-In-Oil (BIO) System (Ford uses the 'Timing Belt-In-Oil' system on some of their engines).

(long experience with both 'belts' and 'chains' on cars and bikes and the pros-and-cons of both .... no baggage, I just like to know what I'm getting before I buy)

Thanks in advance !

 

[stevem5215]

Honda is a dry system. Most belts are dry type. I don't think there are many oil based ones.

Steve

 

[Mr. Black]

I believe main reason for t-belts is the less rotating mass. Especially for smaller displacement motors

and reduced friction/resistance increasing efficiency.


For myself we'd likely never even be close to owning this Ridgeline until it needs a belt replacement. We just don't keep cars that long in general.

 

[CentexG2]

Honda is a dry system. Most belts are dry type. I don't think there are many oil based ones.

Steve

Thanks for the Honda info, Steve.

Nope, not many using BIO systems yet, but perhaps the use will grow as engine redesigns take place, just wondered if Honda had made that advance yet .... lots of info available via google .... the technology seems to offer some additional 'pros' for the belt vs chain option, primarily in the areas of increased design-life and even more reduced parasitic drag.

While the former may not incite manufacturers to change (though that's the real consumer benefit IMHO), the latter may as they seek to find every tiny increment of help with CAFE-type goals.

:wink:

 

[johnson-rod]

What I would like to see is a timing belt on a non interference engine. But then Honda dealers would lose a lot of money on maintenance items.

My wife's 1971 Pinto and 1989 turbo Sunbird had belts on their non-interference engines. They were still no picnics. The Sunbird was a particular biotch to change.

The Honda V6 in a full size engine compartment is not bad. Most Honda maintenance is well thought out.

 

[news2u]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the new truck will have a timing belt right?

If so I'll have to try and negotiate a discount on the service. I assume the timing belt is a $1000 repair?

tx

Ibjgh, you might consider this. When I went to change mine in 2013 @ 105K, thru networking, I found a Honda/Acura certified mechanic (his day job is with Honda) moonlighting at his home. He has a hell of a backyard facility (see pics). I bought a timing belt kit thru Amazon for $290 (now selling for $255-with water pump for G1), handed it to him (he was impressed that I brought him everything he needed) and he only charged $350 labor.

I think when you do the math you'll get the picture; I know I did real fast. The other cool thing is these moonlighting mechanics -- if they have any class at all -- will schedule you in around the diner hour. I sh_t you not, at 8:20 he called and said it was ready. Tell me one stealership out there that works that efficiently?

 

[northernlights]

Good for you, but most dont have that option. Whats your warranty a case of beer.

 

[silkiechicken]

I always giggle when I hear people complaining about their $1000 timing belt change. My Lexus Sc300 timing belt with associated bits, like water pump and so on... was $2500 at an independent shop because I sure as heck was not going to venture into that thing knowing what a PITA job it is on that car. No kidding, first step to changing the rear speaker in the SC was to remove driver and passenger seatbelt bolts. Dealership wanted near 4k for the job! Meanwhile, we changed the timing belt of a 1997 crv in a parking lot, because it was not made like a jigsaw puzzle with every seam and connector tucked away and darn near invisible... LOL

 

[news2u]

Good for you, but most dont have that option. Whats your warranty a case of beer.

He's never failed me yet; I'm at 162K and gong strong. Tomorrow, he's adjusting my valves. He sends me videos of the status as he's doing it.

I'm just saying there are good moonlighting mechanics out there worth looking into. Why on earth would you consider a $1000 timing belt change when you can get it done for $350 less? It's a no brainer to me.

Maybe I am lucky. And, yes, I was taken aback by his facility when I drove down his driveway. But at the same time I know he doesn't have the corner on that market.

 

[stevem5215]

I had a 1977 Pinto wagon with the 2.3 engine and a timing belt system. I changed that thing twice in the 50k miles I owned it. After the 2nd time I swore I'd never buy another timing belt based engine. And I didn't until this one. They were such a PIA!

Steve

My wife's 1971 Pinto and 1989 turbo Sunbird had belts on their non-interference engines. They were still no picnics. The Sunbird was a particular biotch to change.

The Honda V6 in a full size engine compartment is not bad. Most Honda maintenance is well thought out.

 

[news2u]

I had a 1977 Pinto wagon with the 2.3 engine and a timing belt system. I changed that thing twice in the 50k miles I owned it. After the 2nd time I swore I'd never buy another timing belt based engine. And I didn't until this one. They were such a PIA!

Steve

Ain't that the frigging' truth. Sometimes I wonder if sacrificing the quieter hum of the belt would be worth it in favor of the longer lasting chain chain or gear. Then I think of my belt driven garage door opener and remember how loud and annoying chains were.

It's one of the proverbial tradeoffs in life.

 

[akar7]

I have been a career mechanic for most of my life and when looking at the factory manual procedure on replacing the timing belt, it gave me a headache.
As with everything else, it might not be too difficult after you have done the first one...

 

[stevem5215]

You tube again.

Steve

 

[Rockwood]

It's the tightness of space that's the biggest problem.
I'm sure it's lost Honda a few sales v say the Highlander. Honda used a TC on its 2.4 and I wish it did the same on the J35.
Not all TC work out well. Just look at Chevy and it's 3.6v6. What a mess there.

 

[speedlever]

He's never failed me yet; I'm at 162K and gong strong. Tomorrow, he's adjusting my valves. He sends me videos of the status as he's doing it.

I'm just saying there are good moonlighting mechanics out there worth looking into. Why on earth would you consider a $1000 timing belt change when you can get it done for $350 less? It's a no brainer to me.

Maybe I am lucky. And, yes, I was taken aback by his facility when I drove down his driveway. But at the same time I know he doesn't have the corner on that market.

I'll be curious what the clearances look like on your valves before he adjusts them.

 

[news2u]

I'll be curious what the clearances look like on your valves before he adjusts them.

I am ahead of you. I requested that he text pictures during the process and give me gap readings on whether they are too loose or too tight or OK for each valve -- intake & out for each cylinder.