handa

I'm asking this because a shop offered me $400 to do the timing belt alignment for my B16. I don't know about that price, because I can do it myself. The only thing about doing it by myself is that I can't be sure if I did it exactly at TDC, etc.

Any thoughts?

2lua

how machanical incline are you? you could do it yourself. did you ask them why is cost so much? it should take them no more than 1 hr to do that unless you told them to replace your timing belt, then it will cost you about $400.
to reset your timing back to tdc. all they have to do is remove the valve cover, top side timing belt cover, turn the crank to the tdc mark and check the cams alignment, if adjustment needed.they will losen the belt tensioner, remove the timing belt of the cams, then theywill realign the cams to match with the crank at tdc. after that they will put timing belt back on the cams, and adjust the timing belt tension. then they put back your valve cover with new valve cover gasket if they even do that.

93CivicSI

Timing Belt Alignment? Never heard of it called that...

Maybe your timing belt jumped a tooth - or maybe your timing is waaaaay off....

What are symptoms...

Also - call others shops, just to get an idea of what they would charge you, and also call your local Honda Dealer - if anything, THEY will KNOW what to do.

Jaydeep

i want to know this too.

BauleyCivic

It takes 2 minutes...loosen the tensioner, pull the belt off of the cam gears, turn the crank to tdc, turn the cam gears to tdc, slide the belt back on, tighten the tensioner...

pwrofdrm

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BauleyCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It takes 2 minutes...loosen the tensioner, pull the belt off of the cam gears, turn the crank to tdc, turn the cam gears to tdc, slide the belt back on, tighten the tensioner...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeap...they're probably ripping you off. And BTW...400 for a timing belt? Where are you guy's going? I had mine done for 250

93Civac

Most dealerships go buy a labor book when it comes to how long it will take. It may take them about 45 minutes to an hour to actually do it, but the book may call it a 3 hour job. So you would have to pay for 3 hours of labor.

handa

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm very familiar with changing timing belt, aligning TDC, and ignition timing. I've done it a couple of times and motor runs decent. I just don't trust myself in "perfecting" the job that's all. I guess I'll do it myself since shops are all money. I'm going to check if it's at TDC and if the marks lign up at all.

My question is..is it OK to turn the crank pulley (counterclockwise) while the belt is on the cam gears? I'm checking the TDC and don't want to have to take the belt off.

BauleyCivic

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by handa &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My question is..is it OK to turn the crank pulley (counterclockwise) while the belt is on the cam gears? I'm checking the TDC and don't want to have to take the belt off.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes thats fine...I can't remember if its counterclockwise or clockwise tho...but yes u can turn the crank pulley with the belt on the gears

handa

Thanks Bauley

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

turn the crank pully counter clockwise (just like it were the wheels rolling forward) and align the TDC mark on the pully with the sight pointer on the lower plastic timing belt cover (The TDC mark should be the one by itself after the ignition marks that are 3 or 5 in a row).

B18C5-EH2

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 93Civac &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Most dealerships go buy a labor book when it comes to how long it will take. It may take them about 45 minutes to an hour to actually do it, but the book may call it a 3 hour job. So you would have to pay for 3 hours of labor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Bingo.

My shop does the same.

A complete timing belt job for a twin cam Civic pays like 5.5 hours, but it might take more experienced techs 2.5 to do. That's how it works.

...and before anyone cries "that's a rip-off to overcharge!" then you also need to understand the flipside to it. Sometimes the tech encounters a problem that may make the job take MORE time than what the job pays, but we do not ever ask the customer for more money unless the problem was caused by something they did directly or if it was 100% unforseen when we quoted the price.

Example?

We quote a timing belt job for a Civic at $480.00. We take the timing cover off and the cam seal is leaking then we have to charge accordingly if the customer approves. Same goes for if some dumbass put Lock Tite on the crank pulley bolt and overtorqued it, causing the bolt or the crankshaft to break. We cannot be responsible for that.

But again there are plenty of times when a bolt was previously cross threaded and we'll helio-coil the hole for free, etc. at no add'l charge.

Work as a mechanic and then tell me you think shops are a rip-off. I gurantee you won't feel that way. Shops have overhead which has to be paid for, and they do so by charging labor rates that are often 3 times as much as what the tech actually gets paid per hour.

EE_Chris

Curious Tom - Does the $480 cover just the timing belt? Is there anything else included with this service? New valve cover gasket, new water pump??

99 Si:

Timing Belt: $50
Water Pump: $90
Valve Cover gasket: $8
Honda-Bond: ~$5

Total: $153 (Majestic Honda)

This leaves you with $330 to spend on a Helms, a jack and stands, tools, etc and probably still have some left over. I threw the water pump in the mix since it now has ~80-90k miles and I really wouldn't want to disassemble everything again just to replace it. So if you elect not to do the water pump, then thats an even bigger savings. And if you do the pump, might as well do the thermostat too. And since these components have been removed - time for new coolant as well.

And while I envy the B-series and its performance compared to my D - the prices for **** - Just to compare:

99 Dx hatch:

Timing Belt: $21
Water Pump: $56
Valve Cover gasket: $6

BauleyCivic

Doing a timing belt is a pain in the ***, its definitely worth the cost if you're not a cheap *** like myself.

MADCIVICRIC3RR

itll set you back about 4 G's of high society

however i got cuz down in atlantas whos friends mom could fix up real nice for ya for about half price

B18C5-EH2

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EE_Chris &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Curious Tom - Does the $480 cover just the timing belt? Is there anything else included with this service? New valve cover gasket, new water pump??
</TD></TR></TABLE>

It includes timing belt, waterpump, all 3 drive belts, and the coolant.

There is no valvecover in the service, because unlike the DOHC you don't have to remove the valvecover to change the timing belt.

$480.00 is parts, tax, and labor out the door. We don't charge any bullshit shop fees or disposal fees either. The price I quote is always out the door price.