How do you get someone to change your Timing belt?

[AJEsquire]

I bought a warranty on my used RL which will cover the timing belt...but since you supposedly cannot tell when it is wearing out....how do you get the shop to change it under the warranty because you know they are going to say that it doesn't need changing (I mean who wants to do that for free?) and use a lame excuse of how it doesn't look worn....

[txsaturn]

I would imagine that any third party warranty like that wouldn't cover routine timing belt maintenance/replacement. Instead, it probably covers premature failure. So either figure out a way to make it fail and grenade your entire engine or just buck up and pay for the routine maintenance (i.e. preemptive replacement) at the correct interval.

[AJEsquire]

Originally Posted by txsaturn

I would imagine that any third party warranty like that wouldn't cover routine timing belt maintenance/replacement. Instead, it probably covers premature failure. So either figure out a way to make it fail and grenade your entire engine or just buck up and pay for the routine maintenance (i.e. preemptive replacement) at the correct interval.

I bought my RL from a Ford/Lincoln Dealership...so the warranty is only redeemable from them...so I do not believe it is third party. I am going to tell them I think my timing belt is going out (which from the decriptions on here it just might be!) I will change my transmission fluid first just to rule that out. But the warranty covers any replacement...so the question is...what qualifies as needing replacement??? It has 113000 miles on it...I just doubt that it was replaced I mean...I know the dealership didn't do it lol. And carfax did not mention it either.....

[txsaturn]

Originally Posted by AJEsquire

I bought my RL from a Ford/Lincoln Dealership...so the warranty is only redeemable from them...so I do not believe it is third party. I am going to tell them I think my timing belt is going out (which from the decriptions on here it just might be!) I will change my transmission fluid first just to rule that out. But the warranty covers any replacement...so the question is...what qualifies as needing replacement??? It has 113000 miles on it...I just doubt that it was replaced I mean...I know the dealership didn't do it lol. And carfax did not mention it either.....

Carfax is generally useless for maintenance purposes.

Your warranty is what's generally considered a third-party warranty (i.e. non-manufacturer). Without reading the contract, it's going to be difficult for any of us to give you usable advice. I highly, highly doubt it's worded in a way that truly includes replacing the timing belt or other routine/scheduled maintenance.

[VUEmaniac]

Timing belt service is usually just based on the mileage on the vehicle. There's no "it's going out" discussion. On your VUE, I believe the interval is every 100K (or maybe 110K) miles. I doubt any warranty company is going to cover routine maintenance though...any more than they'd cover brake pads or oil changes.

Best,

[pyroom]

Exactly, the timing belt is considered a consumable or wear and tear item. I changed mine out at 120,000 miles and it still had loads of life left. Any mechanic should be able to pull the cover off and inspect it for cracks.

[AJEsquire]

Originally Posted by pyroom

Exactly, the timing belt is considered a consumable or wear and tear item. I changed mine out at 120,000 miles and it still had loads of life left. Any mechanic should be able to pull the cover off and inspect it for cracks.

Right, not for maintenence but I truly think it may be stretching......because I honestly do not think the shifting is on point. I will see how well she runs after changing the transmission fluid this weekend......

[XRL]

Originally Posted by AJEsquire

Right, not for maintenence but I truly think it may be stretching......because I honestly do not think the shifting is on point. I will see how well she runs after changing the transmission fluid this weekend......

The timing belt won't affect the shifting of the transmission most likely.

I agree with the others, unless it's a service contract that covers routine upkeep and scheduled items, they're not gonna cover it. And even then, since you're past the time it should be done, they likely wouldn't cover it.

And as an aside, if the belt breaks and trashes the engine they won't cover repairs to the engine without proof that the belt was replaced, as they will (rightfully) say you were negligent in not performing the routine upkeep on the vehicle.

That said, the Honda tranny is fairly resilient and responds well to having the fluid drained and filled a few times.

[AJEsquire]

Originally Posted by XRL

The timing belt won't affect the shifting of the transmission most likely.

I agree with the others, unless it's a service contract that covers routine upkeep and scheduled items, they're not gonna cover it. And even then, since you're past the time it should be done, they likely wouldn't cover it.

And as an aside, if the belt breaks and trashes the engine they won't cover repairs to the engine without proof that the belt was replaced, as they will (rightfully) say you were negligent in not performing the routine upkeep on the vehicle.

That said, the Honda tranny is fairly resilient and responds well to having the fluid drained and filled a few times.

From reading these posts, if the timing belt gets "stretched" which I read on here that they may do that before getting to the point of breaking....that is what would affect the timing of the shifts. Also...doesn't matter about upkeep to a certain extent maintanence etc, etc, since I bought it used, if it broke, they would fix it unless there was sever negligence of upkeep which would never happen in my case....plus....that is why I am taking it in so they will have it in their records, that I brought it in for believing there was trouble with the transmission and believed that the belt was wearing out..that way if they say it isn't....and then it breaks in the next couple of months...I will be covered ;-)

[txsaturn]

Originally Posted by AJEsquire

if the timing belt gets "stretched" which I read on here that they may do that before getting to the point of breaking....that is what would affect the timing of the shifts.

This makes zero sense.

Further, if you're having shift issues with the Honda V6/transmission combo, it's a common problem with absolutely nothing to do with the timing belt.

[pyroom]

I'm never heard of a stretched timing belt, maybe a timing chain, but belts usually rip apart before they stretch. If your belt did stretch it would be because of an aggressive aftermarket cam, not the stock Honda one.

If your tensioner failed or if your belt really did stretch, you would be noticing the engine running rough and backfiring.... In addition to the check engine light.

I would post a video showing your transmission issue.

[AJEsquire]

Originally Posted by txsaturn

This makes zero sense.

Further, if you're having shift issues with the Honda V6/transmission combo, it's a common problem with absolutely nothing to do with the timing belt.

Well....if you look under the thread about timing belts breaking "RedGeminiPA" and "RobertGary1" both mention the honda dealership said that it could stretch affecting the timing and possibly emissions. This truly makes more sense because of totality of parts that are damaged when it breaks and the fact that it doesn't really show a lot of wear and tear to forwarn you that its going to break soon. Now I don't know one way or the other since I only know from what I read on here :-) However, I will find out more when I go into the chevy dealership and inquire about believing I have a timing belt issue...I will update the forum with any new recommendations I receive so you can let me know if he knew what he was talking about lol

[txsaturn]

A timing belt can affect the timing? No way!

Timing =/= shift timing.

[AJEsquire]

Originally Posted by pyroom

I'm never heard of a stretched timing belt, maybe a timing chain, but belts usually rip apart before they stretch. If your belt did stretch it would be because of an aggressive aftermarket cam, not the stock Honda one.

If your tensioner failed or if your belt really did stretch, you would be noticing the engine running rough and backfiring.... In addition to the check engine light.

I would post a video showing your transmission issue.

Honda RL do not have timing chains... Both of my nissan altimas '94 and '02 did and I put over 200k miles on each...and the chain was juuust fine. But again...check the other thread about when you should change the timing belt, one talked to the honda mechanic and the other under him said the same thing.....that the timing of the shifts would be off and the emissions would also if the belt stretched which they believe would happen before it breaks......Like I said...I'm changing my Tranny fluid this weekend and then will be taking it in and asking them to check the timing belt or whatever.

[XRL]

Originally Posted by AJEsquire

From reading these posts, if the timing belt gets "stretched" which I read on here that they may do that before getting to the point of breaking....that is what would affect the timing of the shifts. Also...doesn't matter about upkeep to a certain extent maintanence etc, etc, since I bought it used, if it broke, they would fix it unless there was sever negligence of upkeep which would never happen in my case....plus....that is why I am taking it in so they will have it in their records, that I brought it in for believing there was trouble with the transmission and believed that the belt was wearing out..that way if they say it isn't....and then it breaks in the next couple of months...I will be covered ;-)

I don't think you understand how warranties work. They will ask you when the belt was replaced. You will say "I don't know", they will say "you should change it to be on the safe side". If/when it breaks and your warranty company is asked to cover several thousand in repairs, they will ask you for the proof that the timing belt replacement schedule was followed, which you will not have, and they will tell you "tough luck" because you can't prove that the required upkeep was done.

But hey, you're entitled to believe what you want. Just remember, warranties have clauses saying that you need to follow and prove that you followed the maintenance schedule. Even from before you owned the vehicle. Even factory warranties will do this.

[RedGeminiPA]

Originally Posted by XRL

I don't think you understand how warranties work. They will ask you when the belt was replaced. You will say "I don't know", they will say "you should change it to be on the safe side". If/when it breaks and your warranty company is asked to cover several thousand in repairs, they will ask you for the proof that the timing belt replacement schedule was followed, which you will not have, and they will tell you "tough luck" because you can't prove that the required upkeep was done.

But hey, you're entitled to believe what you want. Just remember, warranties have clauses saying that you need to follow and prove that you followed the maintenance schedule. Even from before you owned the vehicle. Even factory warranties will do this.

Exactly. As a "lawyer," he should be aware of contract clauses. Trust me, warranty companies find any tiny thing to invalidate a claim, the same way Chrysler has been known to do for engine and transmission failures. If the factory won't cover known problems, a 3rd party company will NOT honor a claim due to lack of maintenance. The Vue's owner's manual says it should be changed at 100,000 miles or 50,000 miles under severe service.

[RedGeminiPA]

Originally Posted by AJEsquire

Well....if you look under the thread about timing belts breaking "RedGeminiPA" and "RobertGary1" both mention the honda dealership said that it could stretch affecting the timing and possibly emissions. This truly makes more sense because of totality of parts that are damaged when it breaks and the fact that it doesn't really show a lot of wear and tear to forwarn you that its going to break soon. Now I don't know one way or the other since I only know from what I read on here :-) However, I will find out more when I go into the chevy dealership and inquire about believing I have a timing belt issue...I will update the forum with any new recommendations I receive so you can let me know if he knew what he was talking about lol

I'm not sure how you figure a stretched timing belt would effect TRANSMISSION SHIFT "TIMING"... It would effect ENGINE TIMING. Huge difference.

[AJEsquire]

Originally Posted by XRL

I don't think you understand how warranties work. They will ask you when the belt was replaced. You will say "I don't know", they will say "you should change it to be on the safe side". If/when it breaks and your warranty company is asked to cover several thousand in repairs, they will ask you for the proof that the timing belt replacement schedule was followed, which you will not have, and they will tell you "tough luck" because you can't prove that the required upkeep was done.

But hey, you're entitled to believe what you want. Just remember, warranties have clauses saying that you need to follow and prove that you followed the maintenance schedule. Even from before you owned the vehicle. Even factory warranties will do this.

You are incorrect sir.....now that they have "used car" warranties it is ESPECIALLY to cover the fact that you do not KNOW if the previous owner had done what was needed. Factory warranties have different standards, those are actually the standards you have stated above. That is why there are soo many of these "used car" warranties done by independant places now. Mine however was from the dealership. Which is also why these warranties are a lot more expensive than the original warranty. The type I have is through ford and can only be redeemed through authorized ford dealers. They do this because ford cannot sell used cars without the stamp of approval that everything is up to par (I translate that to the minimum that needs to be done). Because of that standard, they will cover it ALL, of course, everything that needed to be maintained AFTER I bought it I will be responsible for. I bought mine at 113k miles, and the belt is to be changed at 100k, therefor I am in the clear. They have all the info in their computer and I have a printout that stays in my car so they will know when I bought it, at how many miles etc, etc. So to make sure they don't give me any grief, i wll bring it in and have them note in their computer that I think something is wrong with the timing belt (I may be wrong but at least it will be documented). That way if it breaks (instead of stretches) in the next couple of months (but I truly doubt nothing is wrong but because of the cost of doing it..maybe they "forgot" to) I can be like "I told you! Now fix it ALL lol.

[AJEsquire]

Originally Posted by RedGeminiPA

I'm not sure how you figure a stretched timing belt would effect TRANSMISSION SHIFT "TIMING"... It would effect ENGINE TIMING. Huge difference.

SERIOUSLY you MUST not have been reading my other posts...I TOLD you, I read that on another thread...gave the name of the thread, and even one of the people who said it! Please, do not respond to anything I wrote about the "stretching" thing until you read their posts because that is where I got it from...you are arguing with the WRONG PERSON! I know nothing about the timing belt besides what I read on here! As I said...my last car had a chain one so i never had to worry about changing it!

[txsaturn]

Originally Posted by AJEsquire

SERIOUSLY you MUST not have been reading my other posts...I TOLD you, I read that on another thread...gave the name of the thread, and even one of the people who said it! Please, do not respond to anything I wrote about the "stretching" thing until you read their posts because that is where I got it from...you are arguing with the WRONG PERSON! I know nothing about the timing belt besides what I read on here! As I said...my last car had a chain one so i never had to worry about changing it!

First off, none of us need to read any other threads because we actually know what we're talking about. Something you're obviously lacking.

Second, the person you told off is one of the people you were using as a reference above. See:

Originally Posted by AJEsquire

Well....if you look under the thread about timing belts breaking "RedGeminiPA" and "RobertGary1" both mention the honda dealership said that it could stretch affecting the timing and possibly emissions.

Will I get banned from this forum if I call you a moron?

The timing belt influences engine timing ONLY. Has zero to do with shift timing. I wish you'd actually try to think things through before arguing.