[chiefwigms]

n/m - re-read the fsm

 

[jmsolt]

$1414.00 done. Timing belt kit w/coolant, sparkplugs and ac relay!!

 

[IanRTL]

$1414.00 done. Timing belt kit w/coolant, sparkplugs and ac relay!!

Can you break that down into exactly what was done and how much it cost? That figure seems awful high. The dealership charges around $25 EACH for the spark plugs and then 1.5 hours to install them, so about $300. The relay should have only cost about $15-20 and take 60 seconds to install.

 

[speedlever]

I just spent about $1835 on my 2006 Pilot having the following done:
1)TB, WP and hydraulic tensioner
2) valves adjusted and VC gaskets
3) serpentine belt and tensioner
4) spark plugs
5) new radiator and some hoses
6) new front struts

 

[jmsolt]

plugs 22 x6 and $79.00 labor
Relay 22 Ouch $106 Dignos and install. The book labor gets us every time!!

 

[IanRTL]

plugs 22 x6 and $79.00 labor
Relay 22 Ouch $106 Dignos and install. The book labor gets us every time!!

Yeah, that's about right for that stuff. They get you on that diagnosis time. $1100 for the timing belt service is a little high. I sure hope that for that price they replaced the tensioner, seals and the whole shebang. It's amazing how much that service ranges from area to area and dealership to dealership. I've seen specials as low as $495 (plus tensioner and tax - so ~$650) and as high as $1300. I was able to have mine done with the tensioner for $710 out the door a few years back.

 

[CoLoRidgy08]

My 2008 Honda Ridgeline has 112,000 miles and MM hasn't said anything about changing the timing belt. Should I be worried? I would say 99% of the miles are highway/city driving and 1% of that would be towing 2 jet skis that I sold a long time ago. Thanks!

 

[speedlever]

If you've had it since new, I'm really surprised the -4 service hasn't popped up yet. Do you do your own maintenance and reset the MM yourself?

IAC, I've personally set a target of 120k miles for my light use RL TB/WP/tensioner/radiator/valve adjustment/spark plug/serpentine belt and tensioner service.

 

[CoLoRidgy08]

If you've had it since new, I'm really surprised the -4 service hasn't popped up yet. Do you do your own maintenance and reset the MM yourself?

IAC, I've personally set a target of 120k miles for my light use RL TB/WP/tensioner/radiator/valve adjustment/spark plug/serpentine belt and tensioner service.

Bought it brand new in 2008 with like 54 miles on it. I do all my own oil changes and tire rotations. I've had the dealer do the VTM and transmission last time it came on. I do reset the MM myself, yes.

I think 120k miles is a safe target for me as well. I was hoping to do it in the next 3k miles or so (which would put us around 115k). It's my wife's car and her commute is like 20 miles round trip. It'll likely be sold next year, we're eyeing a 2012-13 Acura MDX.

 

[IanRTL]

Bought it brand new in 2008 with like 54 miles on it. I do all my own oil changes and tire rotations. I've had the dealer do the VTM and transmission last time it came on. I do reset the MM myself, yes.

I think 120k miles is a safe target for me as well. I was hoping to do it in the next 3k miles or so (which would put us around 115k). It's my wife's car and her commute is like 20 miles round trip. It'll likely be sold next year, we're eyeing a 2012-13 Acura MDX.

If I could offer some advice: If you're planning on selling it next year, there's no real reason to do the timing belt service. When you go to trade it in, the dealership is not going to ask you if the service has been done or not. They simply look at the truck, assess its value based on year, mileage and condition and work a deal with you. You will NOT get your money back if you do the service. If the dealership decides to sell the truck on their lot, a savvy and knowledgeable new owner would work the cost of the timing belt service into the purchase price. There is no reason for you to drop over $1000 into the truck if you're simply planning on selling it.

 

[speedlever]

Bought it brand new in 2008 with like 54 miles on it. I do all my own oil changes and tire rotations. I've had the dealer do the VTM and transmission last time it came on. I do reset the MM myself, yes.

I think 120k miles is a safe target for me as well. I was hoping to do it in the next 3k miles or so (which would put us around 115k). It's my wife's car and her commute is like 20 miles round trip. It'll likely be sold next year, we're eyeing a 2012-13 Acura MDX.

One question since you DIY. How far do you let the MM go before you do the service and reset the MM? When you reset the MM, do you see other codes popup (if resetting prior to the 15% alert)?

 

[CoLoRidgy08]

If I could offer some advice: If you're planning on selling it next year, there's no real reason to do the timing belt service. When you go to trade it in, the dealership is not going to ask you if the service has been done or not. They simply look at the truck, assess its value based on year, mileage and condition and work a deal with you. You will NOT get your money back if you do the service. If the dealership decides to sell the truck on their lot, a savvy and knowledgeable new owner would work the cost of the timing belt service into the purchase price. There is no reason for you to drop over $1000 into the truck if you're simply planning on selling it.

Good point and something to consider. We are not 100% about the purchase of an SUV next year but with us wanting to start a family and having 2 dogs, the need for the extra room becomes a must. I would likely sell it privately because I have NEVER had a pleasant experience with any dealer when it comes to trading a vehicle in.

One question since you DIY. How far do you let the MM go before you do the service and reset the MM? When you reset the MM, do you see other codes popup (if resetting prior to the 15% alert)?

I guess I should've been a little more clear about being a DIYer…

The dealer has done all of the oil changes, diff fluid, trans fluid changes since new up until our 100,000 mile warranty ran out. Since then, I've changed the oil at around 20%. The only other code that I've seen pop up is the service VTM, diff fluid change and/or transmission fluid change. Never have seen the A14 pop up. If I accidentally reset it, would the A14 message pop up later?

 

[speedlever]

If you accidentally reset the MM without doing the work, you will not get an alert until the next time it's due.

 

[IanRTL]

If the dealership did the changes up until 100k miles, there's a chance it could have come up at 97k miles or something. Also, as speed said, the MM system will give you codes of what is due when the oil life indicator gets to 15%. If you reset before that, you won't see the codes. I believe you can have the dealer retrieve which codes were due, but you can safely assume that the "4" was already called out. I usually let my oil life go to 5% before I'll change it. Oil and filters are very robust these days. Waiting for a few more weeks and a few hundred extra miles isn't going to hurt your engine.

 

[speedlever]

It's been my observation that if you reset the MM prior to reaching 15%, you'll get the codes displayed for the maintenance that would have been called for had you let it run to 15%. In that case, make a note of those codes and make sure you do the work or that the work is in-date.

It's never a problem for me as I let the MM run to 0% and often beyond a bit before doing the maintenance.

 

[CoLoRidgy08]

Just to update my last few posts.

Wife's RL just rolled over 114k miles and we have scheduled her Timing Belt Service with a local dealer.

We are having the timing belt, belt tensioner, water pump, drive belt and radiator fluid changed. We got all of this for $689.99. (Originally $789.99 but they threw in a $100 off coupon for us!).

They did recommend that the spark plugs be changed. I will do this myself in the next few weeks. Thanks for all the help!

 

[IanRTL]

Just to update my last few posts.

Wife's RL just rolled over 114k miles and we have scheduled her Timing Belt Service with a local dealer.

We are having the timing belt, belt tensioner, water pump, drive belt and radiator fluid changed. We got all of this for $689.99. (Originally $789.99 but they threw in a $100 off coupon for us!).

They did recommend that the spark plugs be changed. I will do this myself in the next few weeks. Thanks for all the help!

That's a great price. I had mine done about three years ago now and everything you mentioned was included in the base price of $549 except the tensioner. After they threw that in (should be a part of the service anyways), shop supplies and tax, I was at $710 out the door. Just goes to show that you HAVE to shop around for this service. I called several different dealerships and they all ranged from the price I paid all the way up to $1200 and that was without the spark plugs. I did the plugs myself as well for less than $60. The dealership wanted to charge me $120 for the plugs and $150 in labor to install them. I just laughed.