Just t found this forum after doing a Google Search on "Honda Pilot Pistons and Timing Belts" - Sorry This Is So Long!

Our 2012 Pilot with 85,000 miles needs to have a new engine installed - Lucky Us!

After having it towed to our local mechanic and then towed to the local Honda dealer we just found out that the timing belt broke = new engine.

The first thing they told us was that a replacement used engine with 12/12k warranty was going to be $6700 installed

After multiple phone calls yesterday with the service writer - he is sending this "up the chair of command"??!!

I did ask him the following & His responses are very "interesting" (and not at all possible per various people in the car business)

• What exactly did they do to the pistons? - Replace the rings on cylinders 1,2, and 3
• Was the repair due to the TSB Honda released - "Yes"
• What exactly happened to the timing belt? - "It broke"
• Why did it brake - "We don't know - it was just something that happened"
• When did you replace the piston rings and what was the exact mileage then and now - "August 23, mileage was 82.159 and the mileage today is 84,879" (2720 Miles)
• Why didn't you recommend that the timing belt was replaced since you had all the parts out? - THIS IS THE BEST ONE YET "We didn't remove the timing belt because it has to be recalibrated when reinstalled - we can just move stuff out of they way to do the repair"
• When we found the actual invoice for the piston work - there was $240 in maintenance work that they recommended done at the same time (Service Rear Differential & Cooling Flush). So it they DID tell us we needed to replace the timing belt at this time we would have done it!!

I left the ball in their court and told him we would touch base on Monday.
I did tell him that I am going to call Honda Customer Service (if needed). His response was "Do you need the number?"
And then he kind of backed off - I told him I don't think we're at that point yet.

He did say that he appreciates my patience and being so calm with all of this.
All of this makes me think they realize where the fault is - with them??

We're just praying for a Christmas miracle.

What do you all think with this info??

Thanks in Advance-

 

Seems like the main concern here is that the timing belt broke so close to the TSB work by the dealer?

I think its not really their fault for not recommending the timing belt at the time. Typically they don't fail until after about 120K miles. However, I'm not surprised either that yours failed a bit early given that our Pilot has had more premature failures than any other vehical than I'm familiar with. Our 2013 Pilot has needed a slew of repairs due to premature (non-typical, low mileage) part failures. This year alone, we've spent over 3K in premature part failure repairs and our pilot has less than 75K miles on it.

Personally, I would have told them to replace the timing belt/water pump etc while they were in there given the reliability of the Pilot. This of course is water under the bridge for you. I think you really only have a couple options here. 1.) replace the engine per their recommendation or get it towed somewhere else for a second opinion and have the next location replace the engine 2.) Have the pilot towed back to your residence and part it out.

If the car is paid off and provides you with great utility and convenience, I'd repair it, then sell it to make the money back from the repair. Then buy a more relaible car that isn't a Honda, nor a Pilot.

If you elect to repair and keep, make sure you research the VCMuzzler which turns off the ECO mode and prevents the TSB issue you had repaired in the first place (also puts less wear on the engine mounts). Install a VCMuzzler or similar VCM disable device and your engine will be happier for it.

 

Look for a cheaper engine and have it replaced somewhere else.