1997 Honda Accord Timing Belt

2012 HONDA ACCORD
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JOEDIGITAL
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1997 Honda Accord LX 5sp Wagon 73,800 mi
Honda is going to give me a tune-up at 75000 miles due to a recall (courtesy tune-up?). I never have the car serviced at the dealer because of the price. However, since it's going to be there, I wanted to ask them to quote/check some things. Can anyone suggest what else should be checked? So far, I have the following:
timing belt (dealer charges ~$480...reasonable?)
valves: never been adjusted
front wheel bearings (making a whumping sound; would this also cause the car to shake/shudder slightly on take-off in first gear? I know CV joints can cause this.)

clutch was replaced about 1500 miles ago

Is there anything else I should look at?
How much should each of these cost to have done at a repair shop vs the dealer?
Nov 19, 2006 at 9:04 PM
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BRUCE HUNT
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Ok, first of all take advantage of the opportunity. They will probably make all kinds of recommendations of things that should be done.

I am going to reply to the whomping sound. I doubt it is a CV issue as they usually are most noteable when turning and they noise is more of a clicking sound. It could be a rotor and brake issue, but with a little more assistance from you we might be able to narrow that down.

The timing belt, I would be willing to pay the $400 fee but only if at the time I chose to have the repair done they also check the tensioner, replace the water pump, valve cover gasket and the grommets on the plugs wells.

Good luck.
Nov 21, 2006 at 11:02 PM
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GOTTHUMB
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Does the 480.00 include the parts?
Nov 24, 2006 at 7:58 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
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My $400 would include the parts.
Nov 24, 2006 at 10:44 AM
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Suggested Repair

Have the timing belt replaced and, at the same time, check the tensioner and replace the water pump, valve cover gasket, and spark plug well grommets. About $400 including parts is considered reasonable. The whumping is unlikely to be a CV joint; have the rotors and brakes checked.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1997 Honda Accord wagon with about 74,000 miles asked what else to have checked during a complimentary 75,000-mile tune-up, including the timing belt, never-adjusted valves, and a front wheel-bearing whump that might relate to shudder on takeoff. The clutch had recently been replaced. The expert advised using the dealer visit, said the noise is unlikely to be a CV joint and may be a rotor or brake issue, and recommended a timing-belt job only if the tensioner is checked and the water pump, valve cover gasket, and plug-well grommets are replaced. The expert said about $400 would include parts.

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