Are you planning to do a timing belt replacement on your Pilot and you are looking to find out more about the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because this article will be all about this model and the timing belt replacement.
- What Is A Timing Belt?
- Why Is It So Important?
- Honda Pilot Belt Or Chain
- Replacement Interval
- Warning Signs
- Diagnosis
- Replacement
- Replacement Cost
- Final Conclusion
- FAQs
Doing your own research before you do a maintenance job on your car should be a top priority. Knowing the average costs in advance will help you out when it comes to avoiding being ripped off by some mechanics.
Some mechanics if they notice that you are inexperienced can charge you an arm and a leg. So, learning more about the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot is the way to go in order to avoid paying a ton of money. And not only when it comes to timing belts, this is the case with any other service that we do on our cars.
Also not to forget that timing belt replacement is a rather complex type of work that you don’t want to give to an inexperienced mechanic. And this is why we are here to help you out when it comes to this trouble.
First, we are going to learn what is a timing belt and why it is so important. Then we will learn if should you replace the belt and when you should do that. We will also cover the timing belt warning signs, the diagnostics process, the replacement process, and also the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot. So, if you want to learn more about this topic, follow along.
What Is A Timing Belt
Now before we dive into more complex topics like the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot, let’s take a look at what is a timing belt in general. There are a lot of people facing similar issues and do not know the basics of what is a timing belt and why it is so important. So, let’s cover this real quickly before we cover the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot.
So, what is a timing belt? Well, a timing belt is simply a belt that is installed on the engine to maintain the right timing.
Some cars have timing belts, some have timing chains. But basically, every car with an interference engine must have timing components installed on it in order to work well.
The timing belt is usually hidden behind a plastic cover known as a timing cover. This means that it is not visible unless you remove the timing cover from the engine.
A lot of people are confusing the timing belt with the serpentine belt. And you should not do this mistake.
The serpentine belt is a belt that is routed from the crankshaft to the accessories of the car like the alternator, power steering, A/C, and other accessories depending on the model.
Remember, the serpentine belt is visible, while the timing belt is not visible. That’s the key. Another way to differentiate these belts is the belt design.
The timing belt has teeth on it. Each of these teeth is basically determining the timing and prevents the timing belt from slipping. And more on this, we are going to cover more in the next chapter, where we are going to learn why this belt is important. And then we will discuss the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot.
Why Is A Timing Belt Really Important
Now as we covered the timing belt, how this belt is located, and where is hiding in the engine. We think that now it is time to learn more about its importance before we discuss the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot.
In the previous chapter, we learned that this belt has teeth and each of these teeth is important when it comes to keeping the timing in check. But what is engine timing in general? Why timing should be one of your top concerns? Let’s elaborate.
In interference engines, timing is everything, the most important aspect. An interference engine if you don’t know is a type of engine that implements an overhead camshaft design.
This means, that the camshafts are located on top of the engine and once you open up the valve cover, you will be able to see them.
The camshafts on older engines like pushrod V8 engines were mounted in the center, so these engines are known as non-interference engines.
While on the other hand, on modern overhead camshaft engines, this placement of the camshaft is what makes them interference engines.
And by this, we mean that the position of the valves and the pistons must be equally timed in order for them not to collide.
And now you understand why timing is so important. Basically, the timing belt makes sure that these components rotate and also not collide with each other. So when the piston moves up, the valve closes. When the piston travels down, the valve opens.
This is why the right timing is the key if you don’t want to have a totaled engine. But what does the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot? More on that in a bit.
Honda Pilot Timing Belt Or Chain
Another topic that we would like to discuss before we cover the timing belt replacement cost Honda pilot is the topic of the Honda Pilot timing belt or chain. This is another topic that troubles a lot of Honda Pilot owners and that is whether they have a timing belt or they have a timing chain. So, let’s elaborate.
If you didn’t know the Honda Pilot has three generations (and many Honda Pilot model years in between) in total. And each of these generations is using a variation of the 3.5L V6 engine. Each of these generations is only using this specific engine.
And all the 3.5L V6 engine only uses timing belts. So, this means that you will never have to replace a timing chain on a Honda Pilot.
This rule is also the same for the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, as well as for the Honda Odyssey minivan. All three models, the Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot are using timing belts.
But what does the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot? Well, more about that, we are going to cover it in a bit.
Should You Replace The Timing Belt
Now let’s take a look at another topic when it comes to the Honda Pilot. And that is whether or not you should replace this belt on your Honda Pilot.
We think that this is quite an essential topic to cover because there are a lot of Pilot owners that are not aware of the regular maintenance that they have to perform on their Honda Pilot.
And one of the regular maintenance items is the timing belt. So, the answer to this question of whether you should replace the belt is, yes, you should definitely replace the timing belt at regular intervals. More on the interval in a bit.
The important thing when it comes to the replacement of the timing belt is that along with the belt, you also have to replace the tensioner, the idler pulley, as well as the water pump. The water pump on this Honda engine is driven with the help of the timing belt. So, replacing the water pump is really important as well.
You just don’t want to suffer a water pump failure all of a sudden because you forgot to replace it 20,000 miles ago. And when water pumps fail, there could be all sorts of issues like overheating and poor engine work.
So, you definitely want to pay the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot and replace the timing belt, as well as the water pump car, tensioner, and pulleys. More on how it is done, we will cover later on.
Honda Pilot Timing Belt Replacement Schedule
Now let’s discuss more about the Honda Timing belt replacement schedule before we cover the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot. When is the right schedule to replace this belt?
Well, according to online sources, the right timing belt replacement interval is somewhere at about 100,000 miles. Or 7 years of age.
So, if the belt is older than 7 years, it is advisable to replace it because the belt is made out of rubber. And rubber can crack over time and cause all sorts of problems for your Honda Pilot. And in the worst case, it could even snap into pieces. This is why you need to be aware of this.
Also, even though the recommended replacement interval is 100,000 miles, it is advisable that you check for the condition of the belt at 80,000 miles or so. Just for a good measure.
The belt is hidden behind the timing cover, so if you feel like you are mechanically inclined, remove the cover and see for the condition of the belt. If the belt is cracked or it has some teeth missing. Then you should definitely perform a timing belt replacement as well as pay for the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot.
And another thing that we would like to cover before we dive into the costs is to learn more about the signs of a bad timing belt. And more on that, we are going to discuss next.
Timing Belt Warning Signs
Now as we covered the basics of the timing belt and what is its purpose, we can now move on and discuss more about the warning signs that this timing belt produces before it snaps completely.
So, let’s cover these symptoms in the following chapters, and then we will discuss more about the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot.
Timing Belt Replacement Cost Honda Pilot, Symptoms #1: Check Engine Light
The first symptom when you have a poorly adjusted belt that has some missing teeth is the check engine light. So, why is this the case? Why the belt can trigger a check engine light even though it is not connected to the computer?
Well, the answer is simple, the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors are monitoring the position of these components non-stop.
So, if you have a bad timing belt that has skipped timing for a few degrees, then you will get the check engine light. There can be misfire codes like P0300, or other codes concerning the VVT system. As well as a P0017 code that indicates a camshaft position, and crankshaft position correlation problem.
The important thing is that you should not ignore these symptoms and check the condition of the timing belt and pay the timing belt replacement cost. But more on that, we are going to cover in a bit after we finish with the symptoms of a bad timing belt.
Timing Belt Replacement Cost Honda Pilot, Symptoms #2: Ticking Noises
Another symptom that is closely associated with a bad timing belt is the ticking noises that often come from the timing cover.
Usually, when the timing belt goes bad it does not squeak or squeal as the serpentine belt does. So, instead, it starts to create subtle ticking noises.
These ticks can often resemble misfire ticks as well. So, whenever you notice something like this, it is worth investigating the problem further on your Honda Pilot and paying the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot if the belt has to be replaced.
Because if you don’t replace the belt on time, you risk the belt snapping and causing mayhem inside the engine. And more about that, we are going to cover later on. Now let’s finish the symptoms that are connected with the timing belt.
Timing Belt Replacement Cost Honda Pilot, Symptoms #3: Engine Misfires
The next symptom closely associated with a bad timing belt that skipped a few degrees of timing and is in desperate need of replacement and you paying the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot is the situation with the engine misfires. So, why is this the case? Why does the engine start to misfire once the belt goes bad?
Well, the answer to this question is rather simple. If the engine timing is bad, the camshaft and the crankshaft will be out of sync for a few degrees. And once this happens, normal combustion is not possible. So, you might experience premature or delayed ignition of the gas in the cylinders.
When this happens in your car, the important thing is to notice it quickly before it is too late. People often think that these misfires are often caused by a bad spark plug. But this isn’t always the case.
So, if you have misfires on all of the cylinders, then the timing is probably off. Pay the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot and call it a day if you want to avoid some permanent damage to the engine.
Timing Belt Replacement Cost Honda Pilot, Symptoms #4: Cracks Or Missing Teeth
The next two symptoms are the visual symptoms that indicate a need for timing belt replacement. The first symptom is the cracks and the missing teeth on the belt. So, why is this the case?
When the belt reaches certain mileage or age, it will start to create cracks. Cracks are not very alarming because this belt has a rather strong core steel structure. But still, they are one of the first indications that the belt has to go.
More alarming symptoms are the missing teeth. The missing teeth often appear on worn-out belts. And when you have missing teeth on the belt, this means that the belt is worn out and skipped some timing. And this is a signal that you need to act immediately in order to sort out the issue and pay the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot. But more on that in a bit.
Timing Belt Replacement Cost Honda Pilot, Symptoms #5: Bent Valves
The next symptom is the symptom that you probably don’t want to experience. This is the case when you have one or more bent valves. So, why is this happening?
Well, this happened because the timing of the engine is off by more than a few degrees and the valves started to touch the pistons. You have an interference engine and this will result in engine damage. Thus, causing problems like your Pilot having issues with starting or running.
There will be damage to the valves, as well as to the pistons. So, when this happens, a major engine overhaul will be needed. And this is something that can cost you thousands of dollars.
This is why a smart idea to watch out for the intervals and pay the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot. But more about that we will cover in a bit. Now let’s see how you can diagnose a bad timing belt.
How To Diagnose A Bad Timing Belt
Now let’s take a look at how you can diagnose a bad timing belt before we start learning about the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot. How you can diagnose a bad belt? Let’s elaborate.
Diagnosing a bad timing belt should not be done in the first place. Mainly because this belt should be replaced at the dedicated interval.
But if you have purchased a car and you are not aware of its history and whether it was maintained properly, you should at least inspect this component.
You need to check for missing teeth or cracks. Also, on some belts, there is the production year stamped on.
But just for a good measure, we recommend replacing this component if you are not aware of its history. And more of that, we are going to cover next before we discuss the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot.
Timing Belt Replacement Honda Pilot
Now let’s take a look at the timing belt replacement procedure before we start discussing more about the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot.
What is worth noting is that the replacement procedure for this component is rather complex. Namely, because you need to make sure that you adjust the right timing. Because if you mess up the timing, your engine will surely damage itself once you crank it over.
So, we would not recommend this work to a beginner. In the video above, you can see the whole procedure. But what about the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot? More on that next.
Timing Belt Replacement Cost Honda Pilot
So, we learned all we needed to know when it comes to the timing belt and the replacement process. Now let’s take a look at the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot. How expensive it is to replace this component? Let’s elaborate.
The first things you will need for this work are the parts, this includes the timing belt kit and water pump. In the kit, you have the timing belt, tensioner, and idler pulley. These components will definitely cost you between $500 and $600.
The labor on the other hand is also expensive. And goes in the range between $300 and $450 depending on the shop where you take your car to.
So, the overall cost for both parts and labor ranges between $800 and $1,000. It’s expensive work but it has to be done.
Final Conclusion
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the timing belt and its importance inside the car. We also learned if the Honda Pilot has a timing belt or timing chain and the service interval.
Then, we covered the symptoms of a bad timing belt, the diagnostics, the replacement, and lastly, we discussed the timing belt replacement cost Honda Pilot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
When To Change Timing Belt
The timing belt replacement interval is between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. Or every 7 years. This is the case because timing belts are made out of rubber and rubber can degrade over the years.
Do Honda Pilots Have Timing Belts Or Chains
All Honda Pilot models use the 3.5L V6 engine and all of them have timing belts. This also affects other Honda models like the Ridgeline and the Odyssey that run the same engines.
How Much Is It To Fix A Timing Belt
A timing belt cannot be fixed. This belt should be replaced somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, or every 7 years. Make sure that you follow the intervals and try not to delay the service because if the belt breaks, there will be engine damage.
How Much Is A Timing Belt
A timing belt is usually cheap, costing about $150. But the belt is only one part of the timing belt kit. You will also have to replace the pulleys, timing belt tensioner, and also water pump in some cases. And all this can add up to $500 or $600 only in parts.
How Often Replace Water Pump
Whenever you do the timing belt you should also replace the water pump. Since you are already there, replacing the water pump is a good idea. Mainly because if you do not replace it when you do the timing job, the pump can fail, and then you will have to remove the belt and replace the pump.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Drive Belt
A drive belt replacement is rather cheap. Usually cost somewhere in the range of $250 and $350. Depending much on the make and model that you are running.
