Recommendation on place to change timing belt?

Hi,

I have a 2003 Honda Accord EXV6. Does anyone have any recommendations
on a place to take it for the timing belt/water pump change in
Chicagoland area. I called Schaumburg Honda and they quoted $1075!
Seems steep, but maybe that's how much this stuff goes for nowadays.
I prefer Dealer, but would consider an independant if I see a lot of
folks recommending one.

Thanks,
Shaj

 

Thus spake :

Angie's List????

 

Highway robbery!! timing belt, water pump, drive belts, coolant etc should
be in the range of $600 to $800 depending on where it's done--and that
includes dealers. Get on the phone and call several dealers, you'll be
surprised at the variance in prices.
MLD

 

I bet that $1075 includes a pile of other work outside the timing belt and
water pump.

 

And there is a big chanse that a dealer quoting $800 over the phone
will find a way to convince you of doing something else and totaling >$1000.

I am so glad my 2004 4-cyl does not have a timing belt...

 

pushrods? I've also heard of timing chains breaking at < 120K miles.
It would be nice if the engines didn't self destruct after a belt/chain
failure.

I once had a pontiac lemans (korean version) that broke a belt and
survived without any valve damage.

 

Toyota has been using timing chains on their 4-cylinder engines for about 10
years now. I haven't heard about any widespread chain failures in those.

Was this an interference engine, or non-interference? Non-interference
engines don't experience valve damage if a timing belt (or chain) breaks.

 

Same applies if you went in just to have something done like rotating tires.
So what's that got to do with the price of a timing belt replacement? Your
comment adds a big nothing to the discussion.
MLD

 

but they don't develop high power outputs either. if you have a high
performance, high compression engine with valve timing that allows you
to red line at 7krpm or more, you're going to have an interference
engine - it's the price you pay.

properly maintained belts don't break, and they don't stretch either.
technically, they're a much superior solution. chains are only good for
whiners that don't understand, and are happy having their engines'
performance degrade faster.

 

won't succeed unless you let them.

no you're not. chains stretch, and when that happens, the cam timing
drifts. that in turn leads to lower power, poorer emissions, etc.

belts are much superior in that respect because they do not stretch.
and properly maintained, they never break either.

 

Chains are not foolproof either. Guides can wear and chains can stretch and
break, particularly if it is not a duplex arrangement.

 

Sounds about right, but gotta be a few years ago?

 

What is the 'proper maintenance' for a timing belt?

Dan D
'07 Ody EX
Central NJ USA

 

Replace it every 60k miles...

 

suggest you double-check that number - a factory civic belt is 105k miles.

 

Whatever...the point is that 'proper maintenance' = 'replacement'

 

meaning what? do you think belts should last forever?

 

meaning what? do you think belts should last forever?[/QUOTE]

I think if you look back on the thread, you and jim are argueing the same
side, other than nitpicking about replacement schedules.

It was Dano who asked what "proper maintenance" was, as if you
could make a belt last forever by lovingly applying snake oil
twice a year.

 

Okay, but you still had a Pontiac LeMans.

 

Please. It's hard enough even admitting to it. It was down on my luck and
those were tough times. I took what I could get.

At least I didn't own a ford.