Thanks for all of the replies! I paid the $779 (minus 15% from coupon) for
the timing belt job and skipped the valve adjustment for now as there is no
detectable valve noise and I think that the mileage is just too low for a
valve adjustment on this engine. The reason for changing it at 88k miles is
because the car is over 7 years old and the manual states 105k or 7 years -
which ever comes first - and many believe that time is a factor for the
timing belt. I am aware of dealer service fleecing so I am skeptical of
anything they recommend, but their price with the coupon was on par with the
independant shops in my area - plus the dealer provided some extras like
shuttle service, a lame attempt at a car wash, etc. The dealer service
folks had three chances to change the motor oil for me (I provide my own -
synthetic) and they have proven to me that they cannot measure the proper
amount - each time they put in approx 1 quart too much! I will now only use
them for work I don't feel comfortable doing myself.
Thanks again for all the replies!
M.Paul

"jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
news:L9adnRKhRedReuXYnZ2dnUVZ_uqdnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
> M.Paul wrote:
> > Honda is telling me that I should have them perform a $250 valve
adjustment
> > on my 99 Accord V6 in addition to the $780 timing belt replacement that
I'm
> > having done today. The odometer reads 88K miles. Is the valve
adjustment
> > really worth $250? Is it something I should attempt myself? (I have
always
> > adjusted the valves myself on my old Toyota 4cyl pickup). I told them
to
> > hold off on the valve adjustment for now.
> > TIA,
> > M.Paul
> >
>
> as others have said, beware the dealer fleecing you. the timing belt
> replacement mileage for your vehicle is 105k miles iirc, not 88k - that
> should give you a clue.
>
> otoh, i personally believe valve adjustment to be a good thing -
> depending on how you drive. i get my civic good and hot with prolonged
> high speed freeway stuff, and the valves benefit from being checked
> every year. if you just potter about town and cruise legally, you'll
> not be too worried, but again, if the motor gets a workout, be prepared
> to check the valve lash regularly. if it's neglected, valves can burn
> and cause you a lot of grief.