Timing Belt + Labor Q's

Hi, 1990 Honda Prelude SI 160,000+ miles. Died while on freeway going
approx 55mph. Am told it is timing belt $425 includes labor + parts.
Also told that generally water pump goes $95 & valves almost always need
to be replaced but cannot tell until timing belt replaced...all total
could go to $1000-$2000. Any feedback appreciated.

 

Sounds about right. It's a gamble... Did the valves hit the piston when the
belt let loose? it's going to take the first 425. to answer that question.

 

shouldn't cost that much to take the rocker cover off and measure the
valve lash. if lash is suddenly much larger than normal, valves are
bent. if not, they're not. and the chances are, for this motor, valves
/are/ bent - again this is a common enough problem that you can safely
assume the most likely outcome and not waste $425 on "diagnosis".

 

Good Point, I never thought about measuring lash as an indicator. Defiantly
seen it the other way though... Thought about buying a borescope to be able
to peek inside, but the cost was a bit too high for the payback.