I have a 2004 Acura MDX with 182,000 miles. It’s a pretty good car I’ve put about 18,000 miles on it and have only needed tires and brakes. I have the 3.5L VTEC V6 so I’m pretty sure that means I have an interference engine. The Acura website says to change the timing belt every 110,000 miles. I don’t know if it’s ever been done. And my mechanic doesn’t know either, even though I bought the car from him. Should I change it? If so how much of a job is it? I also have a power steering leak (my mechanic hasn’t identified if it’s the rack or the pump yet) but it’s definitely leaking and it the pump itself whines when it’s below 35°F so would it make sense to fix the PS leak and the new timing belt at the same time? Or are they both completely different? Sorry for the multiple questions, thanks in advance!
First, I would find a mechanic who knows what he is doing. Based on what you said, your mechanic has no clue about the repairs. Second, based on the age, mileage, interference engine, and the fact that you do not know when it was changed, I would change the timing belt and water pump to avoid ruining my engine. Third, The leak in the rack if it is not very bad and you do not see drips on your driveway, it is not necessary to do it now, but eventually it needs to be fixed. Just keep eyes on it.
I’m not sure how it is in the V6 Acura MDX engine, I suspect it is similar to my 1999 Honda Accord 4 Cylinder.
There is a cover on the side of the engine (maybe two covers in your case) that I can inspect the timing belt. You can see for yourself what shape the timing belt is in.
If you cannot inspect or if it is in bad shape, I would recommend doing the timing belt, because it is an interference engine. And if those timing belts go, it’s bye bye engine.
For my Accord, a professional mechanic would have charged $750-$1000 to do the timing belt, balancing belt, water pump. Might as well do the water pump while you are in there.
For a V6, it might be a little more. I’ve heard about $1000-$1250, depending on the area.
I decided to do my timing belt myself, but it took me wayyyy longer, with a bunch of obstacles in the way since I didn’t know what I was doing. If you don’t know your way around cars, I recommend taking it in to someone that knows. I’m lucky I didn’t need the car right away, so it could sit weeks while I tried to figure things out. If I knew it would be that challenging, I wouldn’t have just paid to get it done. But I had some time on my hands with the current situation we are all in. Scotty and the YouTube vids make it look so easy. Ahahhaha.
Also, the power steering pump is attached to the engine with some belts. And those belts need to be removed to get to the timing belt. So it might be a good idea to do it all together, since the pump needs to be removed anyway.
