Timing Belt/Chain Replacement? Necessary or not?
Thread Starter
|
New Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
From: Fitchburg, MA
Thank you for the detailed feedback. I am in the process of finding a mechanic (I just saw my Dad who gave my car a quick look over) nearby. Fitchburg is about 30 minutes northeast of Worcester, about 50ish minutes west of Boston (or 2 hours, depending on traffic! 
).
The man at the dealership mentioned my chain as he was walking in the room, not looking at any of my paperwork, just hearing that my car was at the 105k mark. It was being dropped off for service, so no one had looked at it for about 8k miles.
Thanks so much for the feedback. I still need to write to Honda, and I think I'll contact the BBB as well, too. Thanks!
Stacy
). The man at the dealership mentioned my chain as he was walking in the room, not looking at any of my paperwork, just hearing that my car was at the 105k mark. It was being dropped off for service, so no one had looked at it for about 8k miles.
Thanks so much for the feedback. I still need to write to Honda, and I think I'll contact the BBB as well, too. Thanks!
Stacy
I've been a professional mechanic for more than a decade, and the only time I've ever seen a timing chain SNAP is in heavy-duty racing engines, or when the engine was over-revved (10K+), and at that point, it was a done deal anyway.
Chains, however, do stretch over time. You may hear it as a tapping or ticking that increases (in a non-linear fashion) with RPM- if you hear this, STOP! Or, your timing may be off- power will drop, fuel economy will drop, and the engine will feel like it's down a cylinder, but a compression test will be nearly normal. This means the chain has skipped a tooth. At this point, you need to replace it.
There is no set interval for servicing most timing chains- usually, it's a "replace as needed" listing. However, it is recommended that after 75K on most cars you pull the timing chain cover and inspect it for wear (or missing guides, frozen/broken tensioners, etc.) every so often. Usually, the water pump goes first, and it is recommended that you replace the chain at the same time, as you would a water pump.
It stinks that a dealership would lie to you like that. There is no reason to need to change the timing chain at 105K unless it is actually stretched, which I doubt they verified. There is NO reason to do "tune-ups" every 5K miles- the only regular maintenance this car NEEDS are oil changes, and 5K is VERY early, unless you're racing or driving in a dirt pile all day.
If this is a HOA dealership, report them IMMEDIATELY, and find a new dealership. Contact the BBB, and run away from that dealership, in any case. They are thieves. Tell everyone you know to avoid them at all costs. That's the best way to ensure they stop ripping people off. Where in MA is Fitchburg?
To topbanana, I too, ask- why did you have your chain changed? If the engine was being torn down for some reason, okay, but otherwise, that's very likely unnecessary maintenance- Mark W.
Chains, however, do stretch over time. You may hear it as a tapping or ticking that increases (in a non-linear fashion) with RPM- if you hear this, STOP! Or, your timing may be off- power will drop, fuel economy will drop, and the engine will feel like it's down a cylinder, but a compression test will be nearly normal. This means the chain has skipped a tooth. At this point, you need to replace it.
There is no set interval for servicing most timing chains- usually, it's a "replace as needed" listing. However, it is recommended that after 75K on most cars you pull the timing chain cover and inspect it for wear (or missing guides, frozen/broken tensioners, etc.) every so often. Usually, the water pump goes first, and it is recommended that you replace the chain at the same time, as you would a water pump.
It stinks that a dealership would lie to you like that. There is no reason to need to change the timing chain at 105K unless it is actually stretched, which I doubt they verified. There is NO reason to do "tune-ups" every 5K miles- the only regular maintenance this car NEEDS are oil changes, and 5K is VERY early, unless you're racing or driving in a dirt pile all day.
If this is a HOA dealership, report them IMMEDIATELY, and find a new dealership. Contact the BBB, and run away from that dealership, in any case. They are thieves. Tell everyone you know to avoid them at all costs. That's the best way to ensure they stop ripping people off. Where in MA is Fitchburg?
To topbanana, I too, ask- why did you have your chain changed? If the engine was being torn down for some reason, okay, but otherwise, that's very likely unnecessary maintenance- Mark W.
Ah- I was going to say, if you were in Western MA, you could bring it by my place. I don't have my own shop anymore, but I do work on cars for good people out of my own garage I can't say I know too many folks out your way, sadly, who work on cars.
Was the dealership rep that said this in the service department, or sales? If he's in service, I'd post up everywhere I could, specifically mentioning the dealership's name, and his, if available. That kind of lie needs to be aired out- he's obviously trying to take advantage of you (no offense) because you're a woman, and that kind of crap is purely wrong, and it has no place in business, or anywhere. Get mad! Mark W.
I can't say I know too many folks out your way, sadly, who work on cars. Was the dealership rep that said this in the service department, or sales? If he's in service, I'd post up everywhere I could, specifically mentioning the dealership's name, and his, if available. That kind of lie needs to be aired out- he's obviously trying to take advantage of you (no offense) because you're a woman, and that kind of crap is purely wrong, and it has no place in business, or anywhere. Get mad!
Mark W.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,704
From: Second house on the left
On another Honda forum, a longtime Honda technician mentioned that the only time he had seen a Honda timing chain become a problem, was when the oil changes were repeatedly neglected.
As long as you follow the Maintenance Minder for service you will be OK.
As long as you follow the Maintenance Minder for service you will be OK.
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 542
From: Northeast GA
Are you sure there's no oiling mechanism for the chain? When I pulled the valve cover to adjust the valve clearance, I could see what looked like oil on the chain. Now, maybe there isn't a dedicated oil sprayer for it, but it seems to me a little oil gets on it every now and then.
A TINY amount of oil may seep in through the VCG from time to time- it happens. It's not great, but it's not awful- the chain should be lubed with a similarly TINY amount of oil any time the cover is off, but it should never be "wet." If there is a noticable amount of oil in there, either the VCG is going (easy fix) or the chain tensioner or cam gear seals are leaking- Mark W.
Kudos on getting second and third opinions.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,371
From: NC USA
All Fits have timing chains, not belts, as you have been told. Its designed to last well over 300,000 miles.Many previous Hondas do have belts and replacement is needed about every 100k miles, give or take. But not Fit.
The dealer that told you you needed a new 'chain' knew full well he was gouging you and indeed should be avoided. While you're at it complain to Honda Customer Service.
S2000 are chains.
This makes me mad. Those are the kind of shops that give all mechanics a bad name and to use scare tactics like that is horrible. 
You said this is a Honda dealership? It might not do anything at all, but I would contact Honda of America and let them know what that place is up to.
You said this is a Honda dealership? It might not do anything at all, but I would contact Honda of America and let them know what that place is up to.
New Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1
From: Vernon, NJ
I bought a 2007 Fit with 100k on it just 2 months ago. The dealer has been sending me me coupons for service and today got an email that their records indicated it was Time For Your Timing Belt Service
Our records indicate that your vehicle may have reached or exceeded its recommended interval to have its engine timing belt replaced. We strongly suggest you come in and have this service performed soon, as your vehicle’s engine could suffer severe internal damage should the timing belt break or jump timing.
TIMING BELT COUPON
15% OFF
Our records indicate that your vehicle may have reached or exceeded its recommended interval to have its engine timing belt replaced. We strongly suggest you come in and have this service performed soon, as your vehicle’s engine could suffer severe internal damage should the timing belt break or jump timing.
TIMING BELT COUPON
15% OFF
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 670
From: SF Bay Area
I bought a 2007 Fit with 100k on it just 2 months ago. The dealer has been sending me me coupons for service and today got an email that their records indicated it was Time For Your Timing Belt Service
Our records indicate that your vehicle may have reached or exceeded its recommended interval to have its engine timing belt replaced. We strongly suggest you come in and have this service performed soon, as your vehicle’s engine could suffer severe internal damage should the timing belt break or jump timing.
TIMING BELT COUPON
15% OFF
Our records indicate that your vehicle may have reached or exceeded its recommended interval to have its engine timing belt replaced. We strongly suggest you come in and have this service performed soon, as your vehicle’s engine could suffer severe internal damage should the timing belt break or jump timing.
TIMING BELT COUPON
15% OFF
lolz,
at the same time though, part of it is just not having fine tuned the technical details of their ad campaigns to be specific enough to give the right offers. You don't get mad when autocorrect messes up or google gives you bad results, so don't be too quick to brand them liars and cheats.
If you call them and ask, "hey i thought my car didn't have a timing belt" and based on their answer you can tell if they are honest or ignorant.
And if they go the whole distance and actually do a "fake" repair for which they give you a receipt, then take them to court.
If when you bring it in, the actual service techie corrects the customer rep, then they still have plausible deniability that they just mixed it up. Not everyone is an expert.
Last edited by raytseng; Aug 16, 2012 at 08:14 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,355
From: Massachusetts
I've been a professional mechanic for more than a decade, and the only time I've ever seen a timing chain SNAP is in heavy-duty racing engines, or when the engine was over-revved (10K+), and at that point, it was a done deal anyway.
Chains, however, do stretch over time. You may hear it as a tapping or ticking that increases (in a non-linear fashion) with RPM- if you hear this, STOP! Or, your timing may be off- power will drop, fuel economy will drop, and the engine will feel like it's down a cylinder, but a compression test will be nearly normal. This means the chain has skipped a tooth. At this point, you need to replace it.
There is no set interval for servicing most timing chains- usually, it's a "replace as needed" listing. However, it is recommended that after 75K on most cars you pull the timing chain cover and inspect it for wear (or missing guides, frozen/broken tensioners, etc.) every so often. Usually, the water pump goes first, and it is recommended that you replace the chain at the same time, as you would a water pump.
It stinks that a dealership would lie to you like that. There is no reason to need to change the timing chain at 105K unless it is actually stretched, which I doubt they verified. There is NO reason to do "tune-ups" every 5K miles- the only regular maintenance this car NEEDS are oil changes, and 5K is VERY early, unless you're racing or driving in a dirt pile all day.
If this is a HOA dealership, report them IMMEDIATELY, and find a new dealership. Contact the BBB, and run away from that dealership, in any case. They are thieves. Tell everyone you know to avoid them at all costs. That's the best way to ensure they stop ripping people off. Where in MA is Fitchburg?
To topbanana, I too, ask- why did you have your chain changed? If the engine was being torn down for some reason, okay, but otherwise, that's very likely unnecessary maintenance- Mark W.
Chains, however, do stretch over time. You may hear it as a tapping or ticking that increases (in a non-linear fashion) with RPM- if you hear this, STOP! Or, your timing may be off- power will drop, fuel economy will drop, and the engine will feel like it's down a cylinder, but a compression test will be nearly normal. This means the chain has skipped a tooth. At this point, you need to replace it.
There is no set interval for servicing most timing chains- usually, it's a "replace as needed" listing. However, it is recommended that after 75K on most cars you pull the timing chain cover and inspect it for wear (or missing guides, frozen/broken tensioners, etc.) every so often. Usually, the water pump goes first, and it is recommended that you replace the chain at the same time, as you would a water pump.
It stinks that a dealership would lie to you like that. There is no reason to need to change the timing chain at 105K unless it is actually stretched, which I doubt they verified. There is NO reason to do "tune-ups" every 5K miles- the only regular maintenance this car NEEDS are oil changes, and 5K is VERY early, unless you're racing or driving in a dirt pile all day.
If this is a HOA dealership, report them IMMEDIATELY, and find a new dealership. Contact the BBB, and run away from that dealership, in any case. They are thieves. Tell everyone you know to avoid them at all costs. That's the best way to ensure they stop ripping people off. Where in MA is Fitchburg?
To topbanana, I too, ask- why did you have your chain changed? If the engine was being torn down for some reason, okay, but otherwise, that's very likely unnecessary maintenance- Mark W.
I'm doing my best to follow the manual and by listening to those who know more than I do but I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me sweat! When my Fit was closing in on 7K before doing the first oil change, I was a wreck !
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,371
From: NC USA
Hi all--I have an '07 Fit with 105k mi on it. My dealer told me I need a new timing belt, to the tune of $1200. My father, who is a mechanic on big rigs, checked in with a friend who works on foreign cars who checked with the Honda dealer in their city--said there is a timing chain on my car that does not need to be replaced. That Honda dealer said they do not stock the chains for my model because they replace them rarely (if ever?). Can someone let me know their experience with this? I don't want to destroy my engine (as the CSR at the Honda dealer indicated would happen if I didn't have the service done), but I don't want to cough up $1200 for a service I may not need. Please help!
Also--My dealership (not where I bought the car, but the closest one since the move) is adament that I need tune-ups every 5k miles or so. Do others do regularly scheduled maintenance? Do you just wait for an indicator light (other than basic fluids or if the car is acting up)? Please advise!! Thank you!
Also--My dealership (not where I bought the car, but the closest one since the move) is adament that I need tune-ups every 5k miles or so. Do others do regularly scheduled maintenance? Do you just wait for an indicator light (other than basic fluids or if the car is acting up)? Please advise!! Thank you!
I'll go further: that dealer is dishonest. Fit has a timing chain, good for at least 200k miles.
Tuneups only needed when coil paks go bad along with plugs.
get as far from their facility as possible. Be extremely distrustful of any warranty work they do. Report tghedm to Honda if you can prove your quote from them.
