Hi, I'm going to do the timing belt on an Odyssey soon and I was thinking of saving some $$$ by buying some of those non-Honda timing belt parts cheaper on eBay.

Anyone have some experience of these? Are they really as good as the OEM Honda parts or is it better to spend the extra for genuine Honda parts?

What is really the difference if any?

In the past I have always used genuine Honda parts.

Bob

 

Any good tech will recommend OEM parts but take this into concideration please, your motor is an interferrence engine, if the belt breaks, you will need another engine, probably cheaper that rebuilding yours. Not all belts are created equal, meaning, the shape of the teeth, the exact length of the belt, not to mention the quality when it gets oil on it in the future which shortens belt life. A small difference in mechanical timing could cost you more in wasted fuel economy over the next few years, not to mention buying most of the parts a second time to complete a DO OVER when a cheap water pump bearing or belt tensioner bearing goes bad, do the job once and do it properly with OEM parts, do yourself a favor. You can skimp on the valve cover gasket set, easy enough to reseal later. Are you going to do the accessory drive belts also, just a tip.