94 Honda Accord LX 4 cylinder 5 speed manual non vtec has air conditioning


I recently discovered an antifreeze leak from the weep hole of the water pump in this Honda Accord

Now I am looking at getting the water pump and all the belts including timing belt replaced called repair shop they said $800

Same repair shop I called mentioned problem could be balancer shaft problem that would be an additional repair to replacing the water pump and all the belts totaling $1100-1200

I looked up this information told to me by repair shop, and it seems he is wrong. If balancer shaft problem would be an oil leak not an antifreeze leak.

I did learn in my research about a common Honda Accord problem missing balance shaft retainer causing balance shaft seal to pop out cause big oil leak. I also learned about several oil seals in this area of the engine (crankshaft seal, camshaft seal, front balance seal and retainer, and oil pump gasket also called rear balance shaft seal)

Seems like all these seals relatively easy to replace when doing a timing belt replacement

My question is there a real need to do these oil seal replacements and are they typically done with timing belt and water pump replacement??

If needed and not done typically with timing belt replacement how much more should cost to have this done?

 

I’d do them all or you’ll end up like me, seepage from the oil pump 1000 miles later.

 

Do it while everything's apart. I replaced mines before I drop the new used engines in.

 

I just did the Timing belt kit with the water pump.(200.000 miles) No problems. I would let your wallet decide how much to do. Especially if you are paying someone else to do the work.

 

Honda T-Belt for sure. I've seen aftermarket(Good Year) ones broke when there's no crack on the belt whatsoever.

 

The accords have 2 seaperate belts under The timing cover. the balance shaft belt needs to be removed in order to replace the timing belt so it does need to be replaced as well. As for the oil seals, I wouldn't replace them unless its needed but you could do it while you're in there it wouldn't hurt and if one of the seals does let go later on then the entire job will need to be redone. It's up to you. You may spend a little more now but save in the end. 800 seems very steep a price. I would get a second opinion because my shop only charges around 400 for the job but if the seals are being replaced it will be a little more.

 

these seals are all part of a good timing belt job. not including them, or charging more for them seems dishonest to me. if you're going to pay $800 it better include everything and come with a good warranty.

here is what i replace when i do a timing belt (and why):

-T-belt and balancer belt (preventative maintenance; they likely have the same level of deterioration and either one breaking is highly undesirable)

-accessory belts (2-3) (they've got to come off to get the the t-belt and they are usually in worse shape than it is)

-water pump (same service interval as belts. if it hasn't worn out or failed when the belts need changing, it's likely it will before the belts need to be changed again)

-thermostat (always change this when the water pump is changed)

-crankshaft seal, camshaft seal, front balance seal, rear balance O-ring (easy access when the timing belt is off. they don't last much longer than the belts if that)

-Idler pulleys (optional: if they spin fine and don't make any noise, i just reuse them.)

-valve cover gasket set (optional: this cover must be removed to get to the t-belt area. i inspect it while it's off. if it's leaking or hard and brittle i replace them all as a set)

it's also normal to offer to do a valve adjustment at a reduced rate since much of the work involved is similar.

like others have mentioned, shop around some. you should be able to get a better deal.

 

i need to change my timing belt as well. my mechanic said 700 for timing belt and all the belts changed also the water pump. is it worth doing myself? if so how long would it take for u guys?

 

if you're able, sure. how long; that all depends on your responce to the last sentance.

if it's your first time (which it sound like it is) and you have a good set of tools and you've been successful with past home-mechanic projects, set asside a full Saturday and start early. have you're parts ready the Friday before. have an extra vehicle handy for runs to the store when you break a tool or forget a part.

and if you want to do it right, but you don't have an ASE certified friend to help... get a Helms manual! worth every penny.

 

there are alot of great write ups available. Including an extremely in depth video by "eric the car guy" for around $10. If you are mechanical savy i'd say go for it. I am 19 and have less than 1 year experience messing with cars for fun and I recently did all the work you have mentioned to my accord by myself using the various web resources and now its running great.

Its about 2-3 hours of work for an experienced person. I'd say 4 hours if its your first time but give yourself an entire day to get the work done just incase.

 

That's right and the Eric video is right on the money. Eric was a Honda/Acura mechanic for many years. Also when you buy a kit (much cheaper then individual parts) it will have all the seals, gaskets and the idlers/tensioners. Well worth the $105-$110 for the complete kit. I post a link for it on your first thread WM. Just change it for your car over on the left.(It's for a V6 as is) It'll be the same price.

 

All OEM parts is also preferred when doing this job if you can shell out the money. There is a kit on ebay with all oem parts and has everything but the tensioners for $80 or so.

 

money is gonna be tight so ill try and find that book and get a couple of friends together and do it on a saturday. i also have a manual called manualspace.com or something and its pretty good. thanks for the help!