BajaNomad - honda mechanics in LP or CSL

honda mechanics in LP or CSL

newtobaja - 12-13-2011 at 05:38 PM

Most likely will be making my second trip to Baja during the holidays. My Honda Odyssey needs timing belt/water pump replacement. Plan was to by the parts here in the US and get it replaced in LaPaz or CSL. Any thoughts on this plan? Recommendations for good car mechanics in the area? (speakign english would be a plus)

thanks

tiotomasbcs - 12-14-2011 at 03:23 AM

Me too! My 2001 Odyssey needs timing belt replacement before 120,000 miles. My brother and I came up with the same plan?! Honda dealership or a good foreign car mechanic. Pacenos could offer up some ideas, por favor. Thanks. Tio

bajabass - 12-14-2011 at 04:56 AM

There is a Honda dealership on Colosio. No word on their reputation.

DaliDali - 12-14-2011 at 08:06 AM

Maybe it's just me, but I would get those items repaired/replaced BEFORE I headed off on a 900 mile journey where the ready availability of a mechanic can be dicey at best.

What your proposing to do, is near blasphemy to seasoned Baja travelers who constantly (rightfully so) recommend your vehicle be in tip top shape BEFORE crossing into Baja.

Whatever you decide.....good luck.

timing belt

captkw - 12-14-2011 at 09:21 AM

HOLA,as a well seasoned driver and a master mechanic,,I strongly agree with the last post,get it done before you hit the road !! a hell of a lot less grief,and some motors are wasted when the belt goes,so I would get it done as recommend by the car maker,,driven to alaska to panama and can write a book about getting parts and watching other people deal with funky repair's..aint worth,, possible saving a coulpe of buck's..happy trail's :cool:

Wally - 12-14-2011 at 11:24 AM

On the other side of the argument (having just gone though this) with a Toyota::::

I ordered the parts from Rockauto.

4 to 5 hour job. US hourly at $75 - 100/hour
Napa in San Jose did it for $1200 pesos flat (took them 6 hours). $14.50/hour.

The difference in labor costs in this case pays the gas for the drive down.

Whatever you do, don't do the job without replacing the belt tensioner and the idler pulleys. They are cheap and the bearings will go out eventually.

Manufacturers are seriously over conservative with timing belts on the maintenance schedule.

timing belt

captkw - 12-14-2011 at 11:38 AM

I would find out if is a interference motor...to be taking that kind of gamble and if it is....get done asap.. that is not up for debate,,,,IN my line of work,,it suck's when I have to tell a custermer their motor is toast ..because the did not do the work in time.....know what I mean...K&T :cool:

Wally - 12-14-2011 at 12:05 PM

No desire to get in an argument but, with all due respect:

When was the last time you had to "tell a customer their motor is toast" at 120,001 miles because of a timing belt failure?

And regardless of what you say there is always room for debate.

There are 9 pages of timing belt threads at the place I'd get my information from. Here is a pretty common point of view.

http://www.odyclub.com

08-26-2011, 02:16 PM #1
bdobz
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Timing belts failures?

I have read people not changing there timing belt until 200,000 plus miles and when they do they say the belts still looked like it was new? I have not read one post of a failure. Looks like they should have given it alittle longer in between changes just saying.

"I have not read one post of a failure."

I'd say that "opens" it up a bit for debate.

tiotomasbcs - 12-14-2011 at 12:05 PM

I changed the belt on my Tacoma at 70'000 when they recommended 80'000miles. My Honda has 97'000 and the dealers say change at 120'000. As long as I'm a little early I will play the wheel of Fortune! :bounce:

Thanks for the costs/info re Napa. Anyone else with timing belt experience ?? Mufflers, brakes, body work, etc. are a long time tradition with Gringos in Baja. Had my truck painted in La Paz with excellent results years ago. Tio

J.P. - 12-14-2011 at 12:23 PM

I had a Nissan 300z the timing belt failed and bent several valves and knocked a hole in a piston. after 4'000 in repairs the engine still wasnt right . WHY GAMBLE.

bajabass - 12-14-2011 at 12:33 PM

It all boils down as to whether or not you have an "interference" engine or not. If you do, anything above idle speed spells big$$$$ problems with a failure. Having been in the biz for 35+ years, I always tend to be overkill on maintaining my trucks and cars over the years. Hate to shut it off in Catavina, and spin a belt!!

BFS - 12-14-2011 at 02:07 PM

Hey Tio,
If you want to go local Ramon in Todos Santos will dial you in. 6121390493.
He has done some big jobs for me and all done very well. He is busy though so call and set a time a few days later.
suerte

to Wally

captkw - 12-14-2011 at 03:31 PM

I have, had to tell many a car owner that the timing belt broke and the piston came up and smacked a open valve,,many ,,many times over the year's and alot of times with less than a 100k,,,threads and post are not from pro's,,not usally,,,why,,because we don't go on a webb site to look up how to fix your car,,,think about it,,,The only reason I replied is to help,with good info.... over the year's I alway's stop when I see a hood up,to lend a hand,tool,gas,or ride into town and will's alway's do so!! :cool:

mtgoat666 - 12-14-2011 at 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by newtobaja
Most likely will be making my second trip to Baja during the holidays. My Honda Odyssey needs timing belt/water pump replacement. Plan was to by the parts here in the US and get it replaced in LaPaz or CSL. Any thoughts on this plan?

why do you want to spend your vacation waiting on car repairs that you think will take one day but will likely take several extra days when they find a surprise that requires ordering more parts?

I usually do my major car maintenance before i venture off on a long vacation road trip.

p.s. how much money do you think you will save?

to wally

captkw - 12-15-2011 at 02:21 AM

HOLA,,I only seem to find 2 type's in this biz "pay me now,,or pay me later" which do you think is the best?? :lol:

HAVE A GRAT ROAD TRIP ...

tiotomasbcs - 12-15-2011 at 07:23 AM

Hey Captain, I know it varies but at what mileage would you change out on a Honda Odyssey or Tacoma?? Thanks, BFS, Ramon is located adonde? I moved out to Peskys from TS many years ago and would not trust a big operation to any locals here. Thanks for the info everyone. Tio

tio

captkw - 12-15-2011 at 08:24 AM

HOLA,I would need to know: year,,motor & the VIN # wouldnt hurt to have....and at any thing over 100k I alway's recommend hose's and a threm for good measure..and all of the other belt's..since you have to remove them anyhow.. so to replace them at that time saves the owner money,,in the long run...THE older we get,,the longer you want it to run,,not the fastest, it can run.....K&T

bajabass - 12-15-2011 at 08:31 AM

Water pump also on many motors!!

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 12-15-2011 at 01:24 PM

hola captkw,

thanks for bringing up changing hoses and belts.

forever, i have had all my hoses and belts changed at five years and usually, it's way under 100,000 miles.

perhaps, cars that are in the hotter baja sur climate should be done sooner ?

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

BAJA DERSERT RAT

captkw - 12-15-2011 at 02:53 PM

IM FROM THE SCHOOL OF LIKING GOOD RUBBER ON,IN,UNDER A CAR/TRUCK AND THE SHINY SIDE UP,AND THE GREASY SIDE DOWN AND A SPARE SIX-PACK FOR ANY EMERGECY....OPPS DAMN CAP'S !! :lol:

i THINK i NEED TO HIRE A SEXYTERRY....

tiotomasbcs - 12-15-2011 at 05:23 PM

Did we lose newtobaja? By the way, Simon painted my 88 GMC back when in La Paz. Any new recommendations for Paint/underseal rustoleum guys in La Paz? Should be a new thread but ... Tio :coolup:

yo TIO

captkw - 12-15-2011 at 08:00 PM

ya, I was wondering myself..I was looking for a little sparring !! when he said not 1 post about a failed timing belt, well,,what can I say to that,,but,,ok everybody,,you dont have to change your timing belt's anymore..LOL and you tire's are gonna last forever too...I guess not many people are gonna post that they screwed up and did not ge t it changed and blew up a great running engine,,hell I would not be proud of such a thing and would not adervertise :lol:

it to boot !! hey newtobaja..do you work for caltran's..hey,,just kidding...LOL :lol:

newtobaja - 12-21-2011 at 11:45 PM

Sorry gents. Busy with work. I did follow the postings and you guys put the fear of god in me

I was trying to save some money but I guess I saw the errors of my way. I am not an old baja salt yet so I do need to make sure my van is in tip top shape before leaving so got the relevant work done !

i do appreciate all the feedback including the back & forth. Wishing all of you a very happy holidays !!

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
ya, I was wondering myself..I was looking for a little sparring !! when he said not 1 post about a failed timing belt, well,,what can I say to that,,but,,ok everybody,,you dont have to change your timing belt's anymore..LOL and you tire's are gonna last forever too...I guess not many people are gonna post that they screwed up and did not ge t it changed and blew up a great running engine,,hell I would not be proud of such a thing and would not adervertise :lol:

it to boot !! hey newtobaja..do you work for caltran's..hey,,just kidding...LOL :lol:

new to baja

captkw - 12-22-2011 at 05:28 AM

hola amigo,,glad you got it changed,what's your distanation in baja anyway, If I see you on a beach the beer's on me,cause you had to spend your money at the mechanic's keith & lil tasha