What should timing belt / valve adjust service cost?

[Honcho]

Of course! I also get the liability aspect if I got cheap products and they fail and then I blame the installation.

It all contributes to the high prices around me. Luckily the dealership was cheaper than the indie shops and they have a dedicated nsx mechanic

I mean, I get it if they are used parts or from Ebay or something, but BNIB Honda parts should be fine. I was *this* close to starting to formally service NSX cars for owners and even had a full service contract written up (I'm a lawyer after all lol). I was going to honor the Honda warranties. I would have made you sig something else if you insisted on installing a non-OEM part. But, I decided I didn't want the hassle of difficult customers.

 

[nis350]

curious what the common practice is to "drop" the motor, drop or lift off of the engine bay? does the AC need to be recharged afterward? what other recommended parts to replace while the motor is out? I imagine all 4 the axle boots, clutch slave and perhaps even the clutch?

 

[Honcho]

curious what the common practice is to "drop" the motor, drop or lift off of the engine bay? does the AC need to be recharged afterward? what other recommended parts to replace while the motor is out? I imagine all 4 the axle boots, clutch slave and perhaps even the clutch?

Most common is to remove the entire rear sub assembly and put it on a cart. You lift the car off of the subframe and roll it out. The engine will not come out of the top. No one disconnects the A/C unless an A/C overhaul is being performed at the same time. You leave the compressor connected and remove it from the engine block, hanging it safely off of the car to prevent stress on the lines.

 

[nis350]

thanks.. that would certainly minimize scratching the paint from lifting it out of the engine bay.

 

[Honcho]

thanks.. that would certainly minimize scratching the paint from lifting it out of the engine bay.

 

[nbprestige]

For the basic job, these days figure on $3k-$4k. Parts alone are over $1,000 at this point. Acura book time for the job is something like 12 hours. A NSX specialist shop can probably get it done much shorter than that. Plan on having the car down for at least a week. I also recommend getting all the parts in first before delivering your car- these days there are often delays on parts from Japan and the car will sit for weeks or even months while the shop waits for parts.

Question, are the part #’s for the water pump, timing belts, valve cover gaskets, the same for all NA1 models? Looking into getting those parts replaced on my 94. Thank you

 

[Optical]

No one's commented on this? Great idea. So just the two attachments to the shock towers?
How much weight is your engine crane rated to? Mine on the longest arm setting is only 250kg / 550lb, maybe not enough for the rear of the body?

 

[sca037]

No one's commented on this? Great idea. So just the two attachments to the shock towers?
How much weight is your engine crane rated to? Mine on the longest arm setting is only 250kg / 550lb, maybe not enough for the rear of the body?

That is indeed a clever solution to raise the rear of the car off the cradle, but many folks have access to a lift which makes the removal job much easier.

 

[90210nsx]

interestingly both “old time” nsx specialists i spoke to in socal/norcal Said they dont drop the engine. Said only the “new kids” do it.

I had all work done, cost me $3450

 

[drew]

Audi and others has made engine out service accepted practice. It also makes it easier for the tech at the expense of the owner.

This used to be considered bad engineering in the past.

Ferrari got a lot of derision from having to remove the engine for servicing on the TR and 355,. So much so when Audi design the 360 it was a lauded feature to change the timing belts in vehicle.

Today, I suspect such difficult servicing and related costs are desirable by the Manufacturer and the Dealer. It makes owner-servicing near impossible, offers high book times, and accelerates vehicle retirement due to infeasible financial repair costs. Win, Win, Win!

Now in addition to Audi requiring engine removal there is Ford trucks requiring full body removal with full frame drops as the service position. Apparently it is easier and faster to replace spark spark plugs without the body getting into the way.

Even Tesla battery packs are now unserviceable.

Bleh.

 

[Honcho]

interestingly both “old time” nsx specialists i spoke to in socal/norcal Said they dont drop the engine. Said only the “new kids” do it.

I had all work done, cost me $3450

This makes sense. All of the original NSX techs from Acura were trained either in Japan or at one of the US training centers in the early-mid 90's. They were specifically taught to leave the engine in and do it that way. In Japan, most of the NSX specialist techs migrated to dropping the engine because they discovered that access was far easier. Both the Refresh Center and T3TEC drop the engine for the service (but leave it in the subframe). Kaz and LarryB do too. So do I. Having done it both ways, there's no way I would ever do it "engine-in" again. YMMV

 

[90210nsx]

This makes sense. All of the original NSX techs from Acura were trained either in Japan or at one of the US training centers in the early-mid 90's. They were specifically taught to leave the engine in and do it that way. In Japan, most of the NSX specialist techs migrated to dropping the engine because they discovered that access was far easier. Both the Refresh Center and T3TEC drop the engine for the service (but leave it in the subframe). Kaz and LarryB do too. So do I. Having done it both ways, there's no way I would ever do it "engine-in" again. YMMV

that makes sense to me

Well I dont need mine done for a long time. the honda trained tech that did mine will be retired by then for sure

i will have to drive to your house in 5-7 years

 

[asylum]

If you just do TB and water pump, it is doable with the motor in. When you have the hoses (perhaps once every 2 or 3 timing belt change) or LMAs (once in a lifetime), it becomes more convenient to drop the motor.

 

[Pars22]

I was just quoted $2,900 for WP and Timing belt + another $3,400 to drop and reseal engine (only weeping) and valve adjustment. Call it $6,500+ - They told me it's a 20 hour job - reputable NE indie shop. Seems excessive since removing the engine would make the WP/TB job that much simpler. Seems like I'm getting hit w/2x labor.

Am I wrong?

 

[Honcho]

It's nearly $1,200 in parts alone for the TB/WP job now. "Refresh" parts are about another $1,000. 20 hours sounds about right for a full engine-out refresh. Pre-covid, I'd say 4-5k was reasonable at a shop. FWIW, I'd charge $10,000.

 

[Pars22]

It's nearly $1,200 in parts alone for the TB/WP job now. "Refresh" parts are about another $1,000. 20 hours sounds about right for a full engine-out refresh. Pre-covid, I'd say 4-5k was reasonable at a shop. FWIW, I'd charge $10,000.

I didn't think either number was too bad on it's own, but if I'm paying for the refresh the engine is already out, then the WP and TB become much simpler, I thought there would be a package price to do it all. Thanks Honcho.

 

[docjohn]

where are you located?

 

[LeftyF]

Are you sure the oil leaks aren't just valve cover gaskets and / or VTEC solenoid gaskets? If so you can do those yourself without a lot of swearing...