Said BMW didnt happen to be an early 2000's 3 or 5 series with the M54 engine did it? I had an '03 3 series and that oil filter housing gasket hemorrhages oil when it goes bad. What a pain. Still loved the car though.
Automotive Advice
- Thread starter Cy4Lifer
- Start date
All Honda engines are interference engines - if the timing belt goes, bad things will happen. Whether you have the dealer do it, shop around for a cheaper option, or do it yourself; it should be done.
I changed one on our old Odyssey a few years ago. It cost me $300 (you'll need a special spanner wrench to get the fly wheel loose) and 7 hours or so. If you're mechanically inclined and have a nice shop/tools, it's doable. $1000 sounds like a decent price otherwise.
The timing belt needs to come off to change the water pump - it's a $40 part and a few minutes to replace while changing the timing belt. Definitely have that changed while it's apart.
I changed one on our old Odyssey a few years ago. It cost me $300 (you'll need a special spanner wrench to get the fly wheel loose) and 7 hours or so. If you're mechanically inclined and have a nice shop/tools, it's doable. $1000 sounds like a decent price otherwise.
The timing belt needs to come off to change the water pump - it's a $40 part and a few minutes to replace while changing the timing belt. Definitely have that changed while it's apart.
I am not one of those "you better use OEM" parts when doing mechanical work unless you have a warranty and you are doing something where if it were to fail the warranty won't cover it since you didn't use OEM. Parts when you take it to a shop will always be double of what you can go to Autozone and pay and a lot of times they buy the same parts from Autozone or whoever, double the price and then charge you $100-130 / hr to fix it. It's a racket
My Ridgeline has 95K on it now and when it turns 100K I'll be doing it myself because I won't spend $1,000 when I can do it for $200 and time spent getting it done.
My Ridgeline has 95K on it now and when it turns 100K I'll be doing it myself because I won't spend $1,000 when I can do it for $200 and time spent getting it done.
I'm certainly not opposed to aftermarket parts, but after peeking at a few sites when this question came up, for this is strongly recommended to use the OEM belt. It's a pretty important part and has to be exactly to spec. I wouldn't risk $1000-5000 to save $200.
Interesting to read everyone's input. I've had 5 Hondas: 2-CR-V (Chain), 2-Civics (Chain), Accord (Belt). I was always told to replace the belts so I did on the Accord but never have/had the chains on the others replaced and drove 3 of them over 225,000 miles. Currently driving a CR-V with 115,000 and wondering if I got lucky with the others???
You typically don't have to replace chains unless something goes wrong. They're lubricated and will go for a very long time. Belts wear, and they dry out and can crack. Chains will often make noise when they begin to fail....belts just straight up snap and then you're in trouble.
Correct on the chain front.
My tailgating van is a 2007 Town & Country Limited. (Garaged and No rust!
) It has a chain drive for its timing and the Factory Service Manual says that it SHOULD NOT be replaced unless the timing is suspected to be off, or you can hear noise inside the timing cover. The 3.8 is NOT an interface engine, and there is no tensioner. You just pull the chain off with the cam sprocket.
Wow! Thanks so much for all of the valuable Cyclone Fanatic input ! I can always count on all of you! Will factor in all of the information, and make a decision soon. Now, back to your regularly scheduled Cyclone Football Kool-Aid drinking! GO ‘CLONES!!! August 31st can’t get here soon enough!
