Major Maintenance/Service Question

[kday]

I'm curious to see a comparison of what others have paid for your major service (timing belt, waterpump and seals).

I would like to compare pricing among members varying on date, location and type of garage.

 

[TyraNSX]

Because no one has had this done or asked about it before. And there is no search on here.

 

[brettowen]

kday, in case you didn't understand TyraNSX's response....that was 100%, unmitigated sarcasm.

 

[nsxtasy]

It's going to vary - typically $1000-1400 by independent mechanics, $1600-2100 by dealerships (who often have a coupon for timing belt service specials on their website). Call up your local NSX specialist (such as Autowave or Ramon at Niguel Motors, both in OC, or Greenlight or Nick at Applied Motorsports, both in San Diego) and they should be happy to quote you an estimate over the phone.

 

[kday]

kday, in case you didn't understand TyraNSX's response....that was 100%, unmitigated sarcasm.

I am aware.. Although the nsx is new to me forums are not, haha.

I've searched and found some answers but most are dated. I'm looking for some modern day experiences.

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It's going to vary - typically $1000-1400 by independent mechanics, $1600-2100 by dealerships (who often have a coupon for timing belt service specials on their website). Call up your local NSX specialist (such as Autowave or Ramon at Niguel Motors, both in OC, or Greenlight or Nick at Applied Motorsports, both in San Diego) and they should be happy to quote you an estimate over the phone.

Thanks for the helpful information.

 

[fd3s_fan]

I recently called a couple independent shops in the southeast (SC & GA) to get an estimate for TB/WP/etc. service. Both shops have NSX experience and both came in around $1800-$2000 for TB, WP, and valve cover gaskets. I didn't call any Acura dealers.

 

[kday]

Autowave quoted me 4500 to remove, update and reinstall the motor. I also told to do the head gasket while the engine is out.

 

[shawn110975]

how many miles?

I do Timing belt + belt tensioner/valve adjustment / waterpump / valve cover and spark plug seals for 900 out the door.

now if you want other stuff updated like all 21 hoses that's another 350 for the hoses and 200 for labor.

I should charge more but its my hobby not my day job I just like working on them so its fun to me.

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I remove the engine only if Im doing everything including the clutch etc.

 

[TomCat]

how many miles?

I do Timing belt + belt tensioner/valve adjustment / waterpump / valve cover and spark plug seals for 900 out the door.

now if you want other stuff updated like all 21 hoses that's another 350 for the hoses and 200 for labor.

I should charge more but its my hobby not my day job I just like working on them so its fun to me.

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I remove the engine only if Im doing everything including the clutch etc.

It might be worth it for me to just move closer to you!

 

[davidf]

May I ask why you were told to do the head gasket? How many miles do you have. You have to pardon Tyra, he has a fetish about the search button. Of course if you want to read all of his many search button posts, you'll have to do a search.:tongue:

Autowave quoted me 4500 to remove, update and reinstall the motor. I also told to do the head gasket while the engine is out.

 

[heySkippy]

My first TB/WP cost $1393.86 at the Acura dealer. My second cost $1269.99 at an independent shop.

 

[shawn110975]

only on Non supercharged or turbo'ed NSX's I don't want the headache to tuning it LOL

have turned away a few customers because they have superchargers I don't wanna mess with that I send them all to Ferman Acura's Master Tech Scott Rubber he also owns Rudder Racing he is the only guy that works on my NSX

 

[kday]

how many miles?

I do Timing belt + belt tensioner/valve adjustment / waterpump / valve cover and spark plug seals for 900 out the door.

now if you want other stuff updated like all 21 hoses that's another 350 for the hoses and 200 for labor.

I should charge more but its my hobby not my day job I just like working on them so its fun to me.

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I remove the engine only if Im doing everything including the clutch etc.

That's a pretty damn affordable price!

May I ask why you were told to do the head gasket? How many miles do you have. You have to pardon Tyra, he has a fetish about the search button. Of course if you want to read all of his many search button posts, you'll have to do a search.:tongue:

I only have 130k miles on my car and it has been pretty well maintained. The previous owner mentioned doing the tb/wp before but didn't have receipts. I can see that the cam seals have been changed and the car is in great condition. I am looking to do the tb/wp as a preventive measure due to the cars age.


Mike over at Autowave mentioned that he removes the engine from the car for the replacement of timing belt and water pump. He sounded like he was trying to up sell quite a bit and was also quite a bit hesitant on giving me a quote, while insisting I bring the car in for him to see. He also mentioned that the head gaskets were "known to go out" which I never heard as a common issue for the NSX platform.


Never the less I am still running price comparisons

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My first TB/WP cost $1393.86 at the Acura dealer. My second cost $1269.99 at an independent shop.

What year did you have them done?

 

[Big_D]

Your best bet is going to Ramon at Nigel Motors...great service at a great price.

 

[heySkippy]

What year did you have them done?

2005 and 2012.

 

[Brooklynzson]

how many miles?

I do Timing belt + belt tensioner/valve adjustment / waterpump / valve cover and spark plug seals for 900 out the door.

now if you want other stuff updated like all 21 hoses that's another 350 for the hoses and 200 for labor.

I should charge more but its my hobby not my day job I just like working on them so its fun to me.

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I remove the engine only if Im doing everything including the clutch etc.

What the hell? I paid $2500 for all of that & you're doing it fro $900? You are an angel sent from the car gods to do the lords work. I had it all done in 2010 in Dec. When do you think it will need to be done again? I can't remember the miles when I had it done.

 

[shawn110975]

well with that extra cash you could have driven down dropped car off got a hotel on the beach for a few days relax and drive it back home

LOL

 

[Brooklynzson]

well with that extra cash you could have driven down dropped car off got a hotel on the beach for a few days relax and drive it back home

LOL

Thats EXACTLY what I was telling myself. I drove from Miami to Orlando to have it done, its basically the same drive, just $1600 cheaper lol. See you in 2016!

 

[buckeyensx]

$1163.00 at "the" local independent shop in Cincinnati. Can you guess which shop that would be? Hint, they are kind of affiliated with NSXPO.

 

[shawn110975]

SourcccccccccceeeeeeeeOOOONNNNEEEEE Brian is the MAN.

 

[liftnot]

Kday,
1st of all, if you are running high boost, the head gasket is known to go. otherwise, its not.
since you are in So Calif., for the best value, I would go to either Jon Martin, Ramon, or Nick at Applied.
for comparison purpose, the TB/WP/seals...etc. the labor price for the standard stuff are more or less within range of each other but having a shop in Calif is $$$.
Its the stuff you don't see but need/should replace when the engine is out, its gonna add up. In addition to what you want done, I had a lot more seals, and gaskets replaced once things are apart, crank position sensor(parts), crank pulley(oem), LMA(labor), baffled oil pan(parts&labor), all hoses(22), 2 CV boots, alignment for $3650 at Applied. I did not think my engine can run smoother prior to the service but it did especially with the LMA.
And Track Addict install TiDave rear beam bushing for $240 labor while the car is on the lift.

Its more important who you go to not just the best price over the phone as and old cars like our will need extra stuff.

 

[Speedmaster]

Holy smokes.

I am being quoted 2300 for the TB/WP, another 400 for valve adjustment - this from an Acura dealership with a solid mechanic/tech. The more I read, the more I need to rethink my decision to work with them. Heck, the delta on the cost is enough to pay my storage/garage for six months or more.

Thanks for posting this thread.

 

[A.S. Motorsport]

Kday,
1st of all, if you are running high boost, the head gasket is known to go. otherwise, its not.
since you are in So Calif., for the best value, I would go to either Jon Martin, Ramon, or Nick at Applied.
for comparison purpose, the TB/WP/seals...etc. the labor price for the standard stuff are more or less within range of each other but having a shop in Calif is $$$.
Its the stuff you don't see but need/should replace when the engine is out, its gonna add up. In addition to what you want done, I had a lot more seals, and gaskets replaced once things are apart, crank position sensor(parts), crank pulley(oem), LMA(labor), baffled oil pan(parts&labor), all hoses(22), 2 CV boots, alignment for $3650 at Applied. I did not think my engine can run smoother prior to the service but it did especially with the LMA.
And Track Addict install TiDave rear beam bushing for $240 labor while the car is on the lift.

Its more important who you go to not just the best price over the phone as and old cars like our will need extra stuff.

Crank position sensor? that's not needed in 95% of the cases they always look melted there is even a Honda TSB stating that this is normal and should not be replaced.
Anyway,
in addition to the other posts above,

For just replacing TB and WP the engine does NOT need to be removed, replacing the head-gaskets prematurely?
That is not needed on any normal NSX it isn't even strictly needed on a low boost CTSC.
Anything above that in terms of boost level yes I would recommend MLS.

Now if your car needs a LMA job i can see why one would pull the engine.
Or for example it also where to need a clutch and some other parts.

 

[liftnot]

Crank sensor replaced as its 23 yr old and deeply embedded so its for piece of mind. there is lots of heat in that area and it did not look good with all the wires exposed. Honda should used insulator with higher rating IMO.

crank damper replaced for the same reason. I should have gone with ATI but that's easier to replace.
Nick is quick and to drop all of it on a cradle for easy access and my CV boots needed some love as well. LMA replacement is much easier that way same with them hoses.

I can't believe how smooth the engine sound w/ the LMA. It was very smooth b 4 the LMA.

 

[jrd95nsx]

This is a pain in the butt- I just typed a whole response, went to post and got kicked out-had to re-log and now my post is long gone! To cut to the chase, I had my timing belt, water pump, gaskets and 2 other engine belts replace for $2150. My 95 had less than 9000 miles when i had it done. Every person that I asked said do it for "peace of mind". The old parts came off the car looking factory new-absolutely no sign of wear. I kept all the parts in case i ever need a replacement. The local dealer and i mis-communicated on the service cost which is why I went to a non Honda facility. His actual price was $1600.00 for the timing belt only.

While we are on the topic of maintenance, I am in the process of replacing my oil pan with the "Science of Speed" baffled pan, oil pump and oil cooler and am having a hell of a time removing the aftermarket CompTech headers. any advice?