 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Honda Cars / October 2004Timing belt replacement questions
I have a 98 Civic HX. It is time to replace the timing belt. Can an independent shop do a good enough job, or should I go to a dealer shop? If I go to an independent shop, should I go to Honda and get the parts and give them to the shop or let them get whatever they get? > I have a 98 Civic HX. > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > the parts and give them to the shop or let them get whatever > they get? ======================= Let the independant get the parts from Honda. That way they get to earn a few bucks markup, since they probably get a better price from Honda than you can. In turn, they won't feel thay have to charge you more labour. Anybody think this is correct? 'Curly' Absolutely! Let the guy make a living, just demand that he use Honda OEM belts. There is a difference, you get what you pay for! And don't forget to replace your water pump at the same time. If he's familiar with Hondas and you trust him to do a good job, go for it. But, beware of the shop that "knows" every car. Not impossible, but rare. And all he probably cares about is the money and not your car. There are certain things a technician who is thoroughly experienced with Honda will know to look for while he's working on your car. He could save you money later. Good luck! Howard > > I have a 98 Civic HX. > > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > 'Curly' > Absolutely! Let the guy make a living, Yes, if you are some sort of "support everybody" agency. My advice: Go where they do a good job and charge you less. > just demand that he use Honda OEM belts. Why? I do use cheaper replacements and see no difference. > There is a difference, you get what you pay for! Sometimes yes, sometimes no. > And don't forget to replace your water pump at the same time. Urban legend. A total BS. A waste of money. My car is on its 3 (third timing belt-including the one my car come with from factory) and no water pump was ever touched by a mechanic or anybody else. > If he's familiar with Hondas and you trust him to do a good job, go for it. > But, beware of the shop that "knows" every car. Not impossible, but rare. > And all he probably cares about is the money and not your car. Blah blah blah. A timing belt can be replaced by any qualified mechanic. No specific brand knowledge needed. > There are > certain things a technician who is thoroughly experienced with Honda will > know to look for while he's working on your car. True if you go for a checkup. But if only timing belt is needed, any qualified mechanic will do as good job as factory trained. > > Absolutely! Let the guy make a living, > [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > True if you go for a checkup. But if only timing belt is needed, any qualified > mechanic will do as good job as factory trained. Well there is the problem that about 1.5 years after purchase the SRS light came on. After you reset it, eventually it comes back on. Then, about 2.0 years after purchase the check engine light came on, too. After you reset it, eventually it comes back on. A dealer didn't have a clue after three visits, but, as I recall, $0 dollars spent. I suspicion that it is a voltage regulator. > > And don't forget to replace your water pump at the same time. > > Urban legend. > A total BS. > A waste of money. How much does a water pump cost? About $40. Call it $40 worth of insurance so you won't have to spend the $300 to get in there all over again within the next 90K miles. > Urban legend. > A total BS. > A waste of money. > My car is on its 3 (third timing belt-including the one my car come with > from factory) and no water pump was ever touched by a mechanic or anybody > else. You'll have to be more specific here. Exactly what type of car is this? Early Hondas did not have the water pump driven by the timing belt. Thus, these units did not need to have the pump replaced with the belt as a failed pump bearing would not take down the whole engine. Moreover, the pump could usually be replaced without removing the timing covers. However, on later Hondas where the water pump is driven by the timing belt, a pump bearing with excessive free play can cause the belt to slip leading to bent valves. Eric >> Urban legend. >> A total BS. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Eric In addition, even if the engine is not damaged the labor cost to replace the water pump is several times the cost of the pump. The nearly 10:1 cost differential (labor:part) makes it a smart choice. Mike |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.