Honda Car Forum

Our 1999 Odessey van is coming up on 90,000 miles.

Our local whiz-bang auto shop wants to do it, estimates around $1000.

I don't HAVE a spare $1000. So I start looking into what's involved
and whether I can do it. Change plugs and filters, check. Change fluids,
check.
Change timing belt... hmmm...

I've done several (successful!) head-gasket replacements on
VW Rabbits. This involved removing and replacing the timing belt,
which is in a rather accessible location on a Rabbit.

Does this qualify me to replace the timing belt on an Oddesey?


And from the list of things to do, I can't see it costing more than $20 in
fluids,
$20 in parts, plus about $50 for the timing belt.


Any opinions appreciated,

George

In article <bjtcql$mbb$1@lenny.tc.umn.edu>,
"George R. Gonzalez" <grg@umn.edu> wrote:

> And from the list of things to do, I can't see it costing more than $20 in
> fluids,
> $20 in parts, plus about $50 for the timing belt.

While you're in there, you also replace the water pump. Another $40.

"George R. Gonzalez" <grg@umn.edu> wrote in message
news:bjtcql$mbb$1@lenny.tc.umn.edu...
> Our 1999 Odessey van is coming up on 90,000 miles.
>
> Our local whiz-bang auto shop wants to do it, estimates around $1000.
>
> I don't HAVE a spare $1000. So I start looking into what's involved
> and whether I can do it. Change plugs and filters, check. Change fluids,
> check.
> Change timing belt... hmmm...
>
> I've done several (successful!) head-gasket replacements on
> VW Rabbits. This involved removing and replacing the timing belt,
> which is in a rather accessible location on a Rabbit.
>
> Does this qualify me to replace the timing belt on an Oddesey?
>

I think you could do it, but plan on it taking a lot longer... VWs are great
for DIY maintenance.

For the $1000 alternative, I would say yes,you should do it.
"George R. Gonzalez" <grg@umn.edu> wrote in message
news:bjtcql$mbb$1@lenny.tc.umn.edu...
> Our 1999 Odessey van is coming up on 90,000 miles.
>
> Our local whiz-bang auto shop wants to do it, estimates around $1000.
>
> I don't HAVE a spare $1000. So I start looking into what's involved
> and whether I can do it. Change plugs and filters, check. Change fluids,
> check.
> Change timing belt... hmmm...
>
> I've done several (successful!) head-gasket replacements on
> VW Rabbits. This involved removing and replacing the timing belt,
> which is in a rather accessible location on a Rabbit.
>
> Does this qualify me to replace the timing belt on an Oddesey?
>
>
> And from the list of things to do, I can't see it costing more than $20 in
> fluids,
> $20 in parts, plus about $50 for the timing belt.
>
>
> Any opinions appreciated,
>
> George
>
>
>

"George R. Gonzalez" <grg@umn.edu> wrote in message
news:bjtcql$mbb$1@lenny.tc.umn.edu...
> Our 1999 Odessey van is coming up on 90,000 miles.
>
> Our local whiz-bang auto shop wants to do it, estimates around $1000.
>
> I don't HAVE a spare $1000. So I start looking into what's involved
> and whether I can do it. Change plugs and filters, check. Change fluids,
> check.
> Change timing belt... hmmm...
>
> I've done several (successful!) head-gasket replacements on
> VW Rabbits. This involved removing and replacing the timing belt,
> which is in a rather accessible location on a Rabbit.
>
> Does this qualify me to replace the timing belt on an Oddesey?
>
>
> And from the list of things to do, I can't see it costing more than $20 in
> fluids,
> $20 in parts, plus about $50 for the timing belt.
>
>
> Any opinions appreciated,
>
> George
>
>
>
Actually, with timing belt, water pump and so forth, that's not bad. Lexus
told me to expect $2,000.00 at 75k miles to replace the belt and water pump
on my wife's RX 300. We traded on a Pilot.

On Sat, 13 Sep 2003 15:30:26 -0400, twaugh5 <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote:
> Actually, with timing belt, water pump and so forth, that's not bad. Lexus
> told me to expect $2,000.00 at 75k miles to replace the belt and water pump
> on my wife's RX 300. We traded on a Pilot.

I'd have had a shop that not out to commit robbery do the work.

George
If I were you I would do all the fluid changes, filters belts and spark
plugs myself like I do. Of course using only Honda brand name fluids. Your
owners manual has good illustrations and capacities for servicing. These
tasks can be done with a minimal assortment of tools in the driveway. I
would have a Honda repair shop change the timing belt, and do the valve
adjustment. A mistake in a belt installation could be expensive.
Mike.
"George R. Gonzalez" <grg@umn.edu> wrote in message
news:bjtcql$mbb$1@lenny.tc.umn.edu...
> Our 1999 Odessey van is coming up on 90,000 miles.
>
> Our local whiz-bang auto shop wants to do it, estimates around $1000.
>
> I don't HAVE a spare $1000. So I start looking into what's involved
> and whether I can do it. Change plugs and filters, check. Change fluids,
> check.
> Change timing belt... hmmm...
>
> I've done several (successful!) head-gasket replacements on
> VW Rabbits. This involved removing and replacing the timing belt,
> which is in a rather accessible location on a Rabbit.
>
> Does this qualify me to replace the timing belt on an Oddesey?
>
>
> And from the list of things to do, I can't see it costing more than $20 in
> fluids,
> $20 in parts, plus about $50 for the timing belt.
>
>
> Any opinions appreciated,
>
> George
>
>
>

>
> And from the list of things to do, I can't see it costing more than $20 in
> fluids,
> $20 in parts, plus about $50 for the timing belt.

id budget a bit more than that for the timing belt/parts.

> I think you could do it, but plan on it taking a lot longer... VWs are
great
> for DIY maintenance.


because it happens so often

T-belt and platinum plugs not due until 105k. Doesn't anybody read owners
manuals?


"George R. Gonzalez" <grg@umn.edu> wrote in message
news:bjtcql$mbb$1@lenny.tc.umn.edu...
> Our 1999 Odessey van is coming up on 90,000 miles.
>
> Our local whiz-bang auto shop wants to do it, estimates around $1000.
>
> I don't HAVE a spare $1000. So I start looking into what's involved
> and whether I can do it. Change plugs and filters, check. Change fluids,
> check.
> Change timing belt... hmmm...
>
> I've done several (successful!) head-gasket replacements on
> VW Rabbits. This involved removing and replacing the timing belt,
> which is in a rather accessible location on a Rabbit.
>
> Does this qualify me to replace the timing belt on an Oddesey?
>
>
> And from the list of things to do, I can't see it costing more than $20 in
> fluids,
> $20 in parts, plus about $50 for the timing belt.
>
>
> Any opinions appreciated,
>
> George
>
>
>