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Timing belt/chain

44K views 23 replies 14 participants last post by  Padgettm  
#1 ·
I have a 2007 RTL with 105,000 miles in it. It's been running smoothly without any major problems for the past 11 years. My mechanic is telling me that I need to change the timing belt (or chain ?) because it will create problems down the road if I don't do it after 100,000 miles. Is this true ? I have been using this truck mainly as a car (i.e., no towing or off-road driving) and has low mileage because I don't drive long distances or do road trips in it. I am hesitating mainly because it will cost me around $1,300 to do it. But I do want to keep this truck for another 2 years or so.

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
It's a timing belt. If it breaks on this engine you're rolling the dice on whether or not your engine will be destroyed. Having said that, owners have gone over 100k without changing theirs; however, your timing belt is also coming up on 12 years old as well, so if I were you I'd change it. It will also be negotiated against you if you try to sell or trade and you haven't done it.

Also, short trips under 10-20 min are actually harder on your engine than long ones. It'll all show the same on the odometer, but engine grime will tell a different story.
 
#4 ·
... Also, short trips under 10-20 min are actually harder on your engine than long ones. It'll all show the same on the odometer, but engine grime will tell a different story.
ZachRidgeline is correct, the constant changing of RPMs (accelerating, decelerating, stopping, and going) puts more stress on the timing belt than maintaining a constant RPM for long distances.
 
#3 · (Edited)
You need to change your timing belt (that's right belt) around 100,000 miles. --If you drive in very-high temperatures (over 110° F), very-low temperatures (under -20° F), and/or tow then you would need to replace your timing belt at 60,000 miles.-- If you don't replace the belt and it slips or brakes, it will create a catastrophic failure of your engine (i.e. it will destroy itself). Yes, it's pricey and $1,300 is fare for they have to take off all of the engine accessories to get into the passanger-side of the transverse-mounted engine. Based on the age and mileage of your Ridgeline, if your engine destroyed itself, your vehicle would likely be written off as not financially viable to fix.

If you plan on keeping your Ridgeline, I would "suck it up" and replace the timing belt. If you're serious about selling your Ridgeline in the next year or two, you may get away with not replacing the belt, but it's a little risky. Most smart used car buyers know about the need to replace timing belts (all belt-driven engines have to do this) and will ask for proof that you have already conducted this preventive maintenance task. If not, they will lower their offering price by quite a bit. So keep that in mind when considering your options.

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#6 ·
Since your profile says nothing about "Where you are" it's a little difficult to suggest a dealer or other shop who might be able to do it for a lower price.

My Dealer was right around $900, in Southern California. I provided a gallon and half of Coolant since I had just changed the radiator, but I did have the tensioner and cam and crank seals replaced at that time.

If you live anywhere near Baltimore, MD Anderson Honda has a heck of a deal...



Point being, shop around, $1300 is high, who knows what the average is near you...
 
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#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
Since your profile says nothing about "Where you are" it's a little difficult to suggest a dealer or other shop who might be able to do it for a lower price.

My Dealer was right around $900, in Southern California. I provided a gallon and half of Coolant since I had just changed the radiator, but I did have the tensioner and cam and crank seals replaced at that time.

If you live anywhere near Baltimore, MD Anderson Honda has a heck of a deal...

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Point being, shop around, $1300 is high, who knows what the average is near you...
I live about 10 minutes from Anderson Honda. I made an appointment to have the $589 timing belt service done. I asked to also have the water pump & serpentine belt replaced, and was told that these were included in the $589 special.
 
#7 ·
$1300 for the timing belt service is high and it better include all the parts and supplies including BOTH tensioners. As Carsmak mentioned you can often times find this service a GOOD BIT less.

That said, at 100k you are also due for spark plug replacement and valve adjustment. If you mechanic is including those items as well then your price becomes a good bit better.

Your vehicle has a maintenance minder system that should be followed if you want your truck to live a long life. At the closest oil change interval to the 105K you should see the code for timing belt/ sparkplugs/ valve adjustments.

Speaking of maintenance minder, I hope you have been keeping up with all the other maintenance items like fluid changes for the transmission, front transfer case and the rear differential?
 
#8 ·
At my dealership last month I had the 105K maintenance done to include the TB service, spark plug replacement,valve adjustment, and front brake rotors shaved. $2180.00. Worth it to know it was done right and my RL is good to go for another 105K.
 
#9 ·
My 2007 Ridge has its timing belt changed as Honda maintenance required at about 140 k as I recall. I still have the unit, and I had the belt changed again at around 415,000 kms. It now has 421,000 and I intend on driving it for another 200,000 kms worry free.
For what its worth, that is my experience.
 
#14 ·
Dealer around here (Maryland) advertises for $599, but that only includes the belt. Water pump and tensioner should be replaced as well while they have it apart. That's probably another $200-300.
Definitely shop around. Seems like the dealers around here are below the local shops as they can do it quicker due to experience.
 
#16 ·
There's so much more that should be done IMHO, that I did (explained in an earlier post) i.e. the plugs, valve adjustment, and for me a broken motor mount that I didn't know about. I know that some may not have a few hundred bucks to get things done right, but to keep the RL running for the long term it's a good ideal to do the other things identified in the owners manual.
 
#15 ·
My belt looked brand new when I changed it at 100,000. I wouldn't have cared to go to 150, even 175,000 miles, but the peace of mind was worth it. T belt changes are one of the biggest money makers for the dealer....It takes a seasoned tech less than 2 hours to do a T belt job on a Honda V6. Definitely negotiate wherever you go - you may be surprised. It's a monster profit for a shop.
 
#23 ·
Unsure how many times you've posted this question, but yes, Several have used the Aisin Kit, try the "Search or Magnifying Glass" icon in the upper right corner.

You'll find some posts in the "Under the Hood" and possibly the "How To's" section of the forum.
 
#24 ·
HELP! My timing belt DID break and I have played hell ever since. I am in metro Atlanta and honestly, I am lost. I have read codes and replaced parts that were showing. I even took it to Hennessey Honda in Woodstock and paid 200.00 for them to tell me what it needs. Needless to say, that didn't fix it either. I am disabled and have a very limited income so I cant afford to just put it in the shop and get it fixed, as much as I would love to. I love my ridgeline and cant stand the thought of letting it go but I cant keep sinking money into it and still be without a vehicle. I have replaced the timing belt, water pump, camshaft sensor, camshaft sensor connector, crankshaft sensor, 02 sensors. Its kinda a long story and I'm hoping to word everything correct. My father was a ASE certified mechanic my entire life and I grew up in his shop so I understand how much the smallest detail can be the most important factor.
I noticed my D on my PRNDL flashing but everything else was fine. No codes, no problems... yet. I noticed that everytime I turned the truck off and restarted it the light would not be flashing. I tried to do some research on the cause of it but tbh life happened and it slipped my mind. ( My dad always told me that things dont happen for no reason. Always find the root of the problem and I should have known better) A few months later the VTM 4 light would come on and the truck would feel like it was bogging down but as easy as it came on it would go right back off. I do not have the owners manual so I did try to look it up online and actually that is how I finally stumbled onto this forum. I didn't have a computer or internet so my time online was limited and then the timing belt broke. At that time I noticed there was visibly oil spillage everywhere. Found out the main seal was leaking and replaced it, also replaced camshaft sensor and camshaft sensor and camshaft connector , as it had visible damage . Replaced timing belt, water pump, serpentine belt, plugs, did oil change w filter. Did not replace wires because I was out of money and couldn't replace coil pack. Also, when it was tore apart for repairs the rear camshaft was stuck. With little to no effort it began functioning again and with a small budget and a job to get to I was thankful. All was well for about 3000 miles and then the timing belt broke again. Again replaced the timing belt, not water pump, since it was just purchased, replaced 2 camshaft sensors and connector again. Replaced crankshaft sensor and checked fluids. No new oil splatter all fluids were good. It has never ran right sense then. I had no choice but to drive it to work and home even though it felt like it was in Lymp mode and began drinking gas. After all that the crankshaft sensor code came back on so I replaced it again. After that the camshaft code came back on and I took it to Hennessey Honda for them to tell me what it needs. They said its a crankshaft pulley/ harmonic balancer. I cant afford to just keep soaking money into this truck for another code to reoccur. Now it will crank, It idols really rough. Rear 3 cylinders were tested and they are not firing. It has no power at all and feels like it sticks in 2 gear. If you let go of gas and repress it it will sometimes come out and have power but I need to know is it the engine? I lost my job because I had no transportation so I am trying my hardest to decide to either fix or sell it. I NEED TRANSPORTATION BAD.. Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated My father has passed so I cant ask his advise and I am just stuck
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