# 2001 mdx w/296k miles **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** belts, mdx, acura, timing-belts\ **Created:** [December 24, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-mdx-w-296k-miles/41219 "2009-12-24T04:35:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![trebor1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@trebor1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/trebor1)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-mdx-w-296k-miles/41219/1 "2009-12-24T04:35:42Z")
My mechanic tells me it’s time for a new timing belt. I had it replaced at 92k and at 187k. The cost will be about $1100. I want to keep the car for one more year. Should I have it done, and is $1100 a reasonable price for the job? ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 5:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-mdx-w-296k-miles/41219/2 "2009-12-24T05:04:57Z")
Acura’s usually have interference engines, so when the belt goes you will need major repairs. If the engine is not interference you will only have to deal with the car braking down on you-hopefully not when you are passing over train tracks… Now get couple of quotes on the price, I know on smaller cars it could be about half of that and I am not sure if yours has a higher price because of more work or just the brand. In either case it is 3-4 car payments, so if you think the car is in a shape that will go for 6 months then you are ahead. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 11:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-mdx-w-296k-miles/41219/3 "2009-12-24T11:52:23Z")
Yes, if you want to keep the car it’s time for another timing belt. Your other option is to gamble for a year and hope the belt doesn’t brake. But if the belt breaks the engine will be damaged and the vehicle will be junk. How lucky are you? ---
**Author:** ![tonching58\_176306](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ed8c4c/32.png) [@tonching58\_176306](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tonching58_176306)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 11:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-mdx-w-296k-miles/41219/4 "2009-12-24T11:57:03Z")
that $1100 is only sales tax of new one,i recall i paid 1600 tax on my 06 aaccord when i bought it new,maybe shop around for more estimate but be sure quality work, my friend spent 2800 after t-belt,pump replaced and after a day they said they need rebuilt transmissions just wonder if belt put on wrong.they paid the bills. ---
**Author:** ![trebor1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@trebor1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/trebor1)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-mdx-w-296k-miles/41219/5 "2009-12-24T17:02:36Z")
Thanks for responding. Been told that if the timing belt goes breaks, the engine is toast. Time to get it done. ---
**Author:** ![trebor1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@trebor1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/trebor1)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-mdx-w-296k-miles/41219/6 "2009-12-24T17:05:13Z")
Thanks for your response. Doesn’t seem like it’s worth the gamble. Got it get it done ---
**Author:** ![trebor1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@trebor1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/trebor1)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-mdx-w-296k-miles/41219/7 "2009-12-24T17:06:29Z")
Thanks for responding. Time to get it done. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-mdx-w-296k-miles/41219/8 "2009-12-24T19:20:58Z")
Is $1100 for the timing belt replacement only, or does it include the water pump, too? Usually the water pump is replaced since it has to come off anyway. You could save the parts cost for the water pump by not replacing it. The part should cost only $50 to $100, though. I’d replace the water pump, too, since it’s at most 10% of the cost. If it fails in the next year, you’ll have a bigger bill for replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-mdx-w-296k-miles/41219/9 "2009-12-24T20:38:32Z")
These timing belt replacements have become Bread & Butter work for repair shops. Get three bids before you drop $1100…Ask the counterman at the local NAPA store if he knows a Honda specialist who works out of his garage. Support the underground economy and save some money…