'98 Honda Accord Timing Belt

Can someone tell me what all should be done when this is changed and a
approx. price? I have been quoted $449.00 - $700.00 from 5 different Honda
dealers. I would greatly appreciate any feedback as I have no idea where to
go or if I am getting ripped off. I have been told that this includes a
timing belt, balancer belt, water pump, coolant flush, 2 ext. drive belts,
and 1 other belt and also something about engine seals. Thanks for any
advice

 

That's the approximate price range. The list is correct, although it should
include a significant chance one or both tensioners will need to be
replaced, and they are nearly $100 apiece. I am not sure what the "other
belt" is. The engine seals are essentially the valve cover gasket but may
include the spark plug seals and the front main seal and the camshaft seals.
The labor to replace those last things is nil when the engine is torn down
enough to replace the timing belt. The same logic applies to the water pump
(and associated coolant) - very little labor and modest part cost for
something that has a real risk of failing before the next timing belt
replacement... which would require the whole tear-down again. You may opt
out of the coolant/water pump part and even the crank and cam seals - some
people feel they are a waste of money - but my advice is to go with those to
ward off the evil spirits. I would hate to pay another $400 to replace the
water pump next year. (Actually, I'd do it myself... which only makes me
hate it more!)

As far as the price, if you have a written list of what the various quotes
involves and the price range is for the same service (and don't forget about
the tensioner issue), go for the low price. That's why you shopped around.

It can be done yourself, but it is a tough job - especially getting the
crank bolt loose. My son and I have both done timing belts without air
tools, but that's why I have a compressor and 500 ft-lb impact driver now!

Mike

 

$449 isn't so bad for all of it.

 

If it were mine, I'd do the following:
Timing belt, balance belt, water pump, cam seal, crank seal, balance shaft
seal, power steering belt, alternator belt, air conditiong belt and inspect/
replace if necessary your timing belt tensioner. These parts are either all
going to be removed when changing your timing belt (so you don't pay again
if they fail) or are due and a wise preventive maintenance. All this should
run in the $500 to $600 range.
Use Honda parts and either your dealer or Honda specialist (not just any
greasemonkey) to do the work.
Good luck,
Howard

 

: Can someone tell me what all should be done when this is changed and a
: approx. price? I have been quoted $449.00 - $700.00 from 5 different Honda
: dealers. I would greatly appreciate any feedback as I have no idea where
to
: go or if I am getting ripped off. I have been told that this includes a
: timing belt, balancer belt, water pump, coolant flush, 2 ext. drive belts,
: and 1 other belt and also something about engine seals. Thanks for any
: advice
:
If you do all this, consider having the thermostat replaced at the same
time, but HAVE THEM TEST IT BEFORE THEY INSTALL IT, so you won't find out on
the way home that they installed a defective one and you have to take it
back to have it redone, as once happened to me. Also, if you're talking to
dealers, it's probably a safe bet they'll use Honda coolant, but it wouldn't
hurt to ask, and insist on it.

Paul

 

My dealer did NOT use Honda coolant when changing my t-belt last year. Used
recycled which he admitted did not meet Honda's specs. So, I had them drain
it and put in the Honda stuff. Total job including belts, water pump, and
oil seals was $540.

WW

 

I’m having my 98 Accord done next week and was quoted anywhere from
585 to 675. I got a 15% discount from the dealer so I’ll actually get
it for around $500. I guess that’s not too bad.

 

Not bad at all for the confidence that OEM parts will be used and there will
be at least a minimum level of competence. When repairs get into this range
I prefer confidence over economy.

Mike