I just took my 2001 Accord V6 to a local dealer for the driver-side airbag replacement per the recent Honda recall. As usual, they gave the car a once over and called to say it also needs a timing belt package.

This car only has 18,000 miles on it. What's up with this, I thought the timing belts were on a mileage schedule and were to be changed at about 90K?

Is the dealer fishing for an expensive repair job or since the car is 11 years old should it be replaced?

Thanks for any insight.

 

It's 105k miles or 7 years. Yours is overdue... This is one case where the dealer is actually not scamming, I'd say.

 

Agree, by age it is due. I would not think it is a right now thing if funds are not there right now but I would start saving and get it done ASAP....you are on borrowed time but think there is a little left. I would hate to see such a nice low milage car have to get a new engine/head or what ever just cause the belt broke....I'm basing this on the fact the car only has 18K on it so it must not drive that much.

 

60,000 miles change it. bs on time.
i do 3 or 4 timing belts a month at work, ive seen v6 hondas with 90K on them and they still look good. preventative maintenance.
im happy to know my 09 accord 4cyl has a chain.
the cost of the job isnt that bad on your car, at 60K it should run you 600 bucks.

 

I like Poor Man's idea. I don't know if he's poor, but he is cool

If it were up to me though, I'd just sell the car and buy a functional used car. No point in keeping a pristine V6 car like that around if you ain't going to use it most the time. And I strongly suggest a 4 cylinder car with timing CHAIN so you will never have to worry about replacing it.

 

What year did Honda start using chains in their 4-cyl Accords?

 

I believe the 2003 was the first year for the chain in the 4 cylinders.

 

I would also replace it, while it will cost you $500 or so, if it brakes it will cost thousands to replace.

Over time they start to dry out and crack.

2003 was the first year 4cyl came with a chain.

 

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
I have 2001 Honda Accord EX 178K and still running strong! I changed my timing belt at 105K the next service was due at 180K. Ok so I went to the dealer with a nice coupon $489 to replace my timing belt waterpump etc. They called me back to replace the tensioner for an extra $200 plus valve adjustment $250 plus I had to replace the thermostat and the water heat sensor. All together $1250.00 Wheehaa!
Now comes the good part! After driving 2 days 100 miles no incident than one morning on the way to the shop I recognized my car is blowing oil. I had a huge leak under my car while I was parking in a front of the store. I filled 2 quarts of oil immediately and put my car to my driveway which was 2 blocks away. Oil lamp didn't came on. Called the dealer towed the car back to them and they called me to inform there is a service bulletin to replace the "balancer shaft oil seal" 06923-p0a-306
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...PqntZD5Zb9Qx4w
Look it up! Your dealer has to replace it at NO COST! It's almost a recall!!!
Imagine you drive your car after the 180K service from the dealer and kill it running all the oil out. Spread the word it's serious stuff!

 

The timing belt job for the V6 will no doubt be more than the 4cylinders. I love my V6 smoothness and power, so I wouldn't trade it for a 4 cylinder with half the miles. I changed my own timing belt, so it didn't cost me very much at all. Considering the timing belt is 11 years old, I would have it changed as soon as possible.