Honda Pilot 2021, V6 maintenance recommendations

[burbguy82]

So, my sister has a 2021 Honda Pilot, Touring trim package, which has a V6.

Sorry, but not very versed in Honda stuff...................anyway

The dealer quoted $3500 for 100k service stuff.

Timing belt and effects
valve clearance inspection
coolant flush
new plugs and water pump
etc.

nothing about transmission service or gearbox service.

Question:

In the above list, valve clearance? Why? Beyond these items, anything else?

Can this be done by a simpleton with a bit of hand skills? Or is this above an idiots level?

 

[FZ1]

So, my sister has a 2021 Honda Pilot, Touring trim package, which has a V6.

Sorry, but not very versed in Honda stuff...................anyway

The dealer quoted $3500 for 100k service stuff.

Timing belt and effects
valve clearance inspection
coolant flush
new plugs and water pump
etc.

nothing about transmission service or gearbox service.

Question:

In the above list, valve clearance? Why? Beyond these items, anything else?

Can this be done by a simpleton with a bit of hand skills? Or is this above an idiots level?

That's too much! Get piecemeal quotes from a different dealer. Don't ask for a 100k laundry list.

 

[parshisa]

sounds about right for the services you've listed (assuming done at the dealer with OEM parts). Me being on the idiot level (DIY), with enough studying, online support from BITOG community and some extra tools, I was able to complete everything you've listed minus the valve clearance (I'll likely be taking it to the dealer once I get to 100-110k miles). So yes, if i managed to do it, you should be able to as well

 

[I<3oil]

TB is $800-2000 depending on where (water pump as part of this)
Plugs $300-750
Coolant flush $100-200

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

The price is a little bit on the high side. Unfortunately all dealerships quotes for everything are going to be much more than any of the indie shops in the area. For all that $$$ they should definitely service the transmission and flush / change brake and power steering fluid at same time. A bit surprised they did not tack on the so called "injection cleaning", the $100 in a spray can that they do.

 

[skaughtz]

2018 Pilot Touring here.

I did the full timing service back in November plus spark plugs (and a Bando serpentine belt) at a trusted local shop here in Maryland for around $1250 parts and labor. I bought all of the parts on my own from Rock Auto and through a local dealership for the coolant. I used the AISIN timing kit, which I HIGHLY recommend being the ONLY kit that you use and ONLY from Rock Auto if you do not go to a dealership for the service. All of the parts in the AISIN kit either are or at one point were the OEM parts for Honda (AISIN is also the OEM for many Toyota parts). There are also plenty of counterfeit kits on Amazon and eBay so use Rock Auto or nothing.

I wouldn't bother with the valves both to save money and unless there is a noticeable noise or issue.

For piece of mind, I would do a drain and fill on the transmission unless you know it has been done every 30k miles. The ZF9 likes to cook transmission fluid and the 60k recommendation for fluid changes has been shown to be too long. The Honda Type-3.1 ATF is around $30 per quart and a drain and fill takes four quarts. It is relabeled ZF Lifeguard 9 if you can find that instead. Pentosin ATF9 is the only aftermarket fluid I would ever consider using since it was designed specifically and only for the ZF9 transmissions, which use a specifically lower viscosity ATF.

If you have $140 to add on, a VCM muzzle is also recommended. In our generation Pilot, VCM doesn't seem to cause the same issues as previous generations as frequently, but I would rather have it disabled. And I do. I paid for six cylinders and I am going to have them running.

Finally, BITOG is the best forum, but you are going to want to check out piloteers.org. It will expand on everything I have brought up here.

Edit: I forgot to mention that Honda does not sell an "OEM Timing Kit." The dealer will have all of the parts individually, but you will not be able to find a "Genuine Honda" kit online. Those that you see on Amazon and eBay whose price seems too good to be true are not legitimate.

 

[D1dad]

Mental note on not to buy a Honda pilot. I went through the timing belt nightmares on my Volvo and vowed to never buy another car that wasn’t a chain.

 

[Dave Sherman]

The timing belt is a little pricy if you have a shop do it. The valve adjustment I'd be a little on the fence. Honda says adjust them if they are noisy, but I gather the J35 valves can tighten, not loosen. If you're reasonably handy, the timing belt can be a DIY, but it's not for the faint of heart. There are lots of Youtubes on how to do it. It took me about 15 hours to do mine. There are a number of things like the upper motor mount, the right front wheel, the wheel well liner, the power steering pump, and a few other parts that have to come off to get to it. If you decide to DIY, I highly recommend the Lisle 19mm heavy mass impact socket (~$30 on Amazon) and a good impact wrench to buzz the crank pulley bolt off. You will still need the crank holding tool (another ~$30 on Amazon) to hold the crank pulley while you tighten to bolt to the correct torque, which is pretty darn tight.

Skaughtz is right, either have the dealer do it, or have an indy shop do it, but insist they use the genuine Aisin kit.

 

[Nessism1]

Valve adjustment is very simple, assuming you don't have to remove a ton of stuff to get the valve covers off. I've done valves on countless motorcycles, and I don't understand why car guys are so leery. One exception: shim and buck valve adjustment, because the cams have to come out. Those suck.

Edit: looking at photos of the engine suggests that getting the valve covers off indeed sucks! Tons of stuff blocking access. So sorry!

 

[Patrick0525]

@burbguy82 Thank u for the reality check on dealer service cost. Not to hijack this thread but I have a similar story to replace a 130k mi 2014 Toyota Venza with a weeping rear main seal. The Toyota dealer quoted $4500 to drop the engine/transmission sub-frame.
From the posted information, I am highly confident that ur sister does not intend to trade her 2021 Honda for a brand new Honda since it not cost effective and defies logic. However, my opinionated CPA brother feels that I should donate my non-oil burning V6 to the Salvation Army as charity because I can financially afford it and have another newer vehicle. I did allow him to rant on his soap box and did not have the heart to tell him I found an Indy garage that will do the repair for $1300.

I hope u find a well respected independent service provider.

 

[brages]

If you have AWD, the rear diff service is fairly frequent, every 30k IIRC

I think 60k is actually the severe internal for the ATF, but if it haven't been done yet, 100k seems like it's due or overdue.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

2018 Pilot Touring here.

I did the full timing service back in November plus spark plugs (and a Bando serpentine belt) at a trusted local shop here in Maryland for around $1250 parts and labor. I bought all of the parts on my own from Rock Auto and through a local dealership for the coolant. I used the AISIN timing kit, which I HIGHLY recommend being the ONLY kit that you use and ONLY from Rock Auto if you do not go to a dealership for the service. All of the parts in the AISIN kit either are or at one point were the OEM parts for Honda (AISIN is also the OEM for many Toyota parts). There are also plenty of counterfeit kits on Amazon and eBay so use Rock Auto or nothing.

I wouldn't bother with the valves both to save money and unless there is a noticeable noise or issue.

For piece of mind, I would do a drain and fill on the transmission unless you know it has been done every 30k miles. The ZF9 likes to cook transmission fluid and the 60k recommendation for fluid changes has been shown to be too long. The Honda Type-3.1 ATF is around $30 per quart and a drain and fill takes four quarts. It is relabeled ZF Lifeguard 9 if you can find that instead. Pentosin ATF9 is the only aftermarket fluid I would ever consider using since it was designed specifically and only for the ZF9 transmissions, which use a specifically lower viscosity ATF.

If you have $140 to add on, a VCM muzzle is also recommended. In our generation Pilot, VCM doesn't seem to cause the same issues as previous generations as frequently, but I would rather have it disabled. And I do. I paid for six cylinders and I am going to have them running.

Finally, BITOG is the best forum, but you are going to want to check out piloteers.org. It will expand on everything I have brought up here.

Edit: I forgot to mention that Honda does not sell an "OEM Timing Kit." The dealer will have all of the parts individually, but you will not be able to find a "Genuine Honda" kit online. Those that you see on Amazon and eBay whose price seems too good to be true are not legitimate.

LOVE it and totally agree. You paid for the six cylinder engine and you deserve to be able to use those horses!

 

[UncleDave]

I agree with Sammy thats a little high considering they aren't doing the trans. Ask them when their next timing belt special is coming?

Usually dealers do a 10-15% off special on belts a few times a year.

You should absolutely check the clearance especially on the exhaust valves, you are in the thing and have it apart.

Don't do a belt job without a water pump.

Id ask the dealer to throw in a new engine air filter, cabin air filter, wiper inserts, they have all that and pay peanuts for it.

 

[ctechbob]

I still can't fathom why Honda changed the recommendation on valve adjustments. They went from a ~100k mile check to 'don't mess with them unless they are noisy', which makes zero sense.

Tight valves, in general, don't make noise, but they do burn up and trash motors.

Noisy valves, on the other hand, usually have plenty of clearance and don't cause many issues unless excessively loose.

J Series motor exhaust valves tend to get quite tight over time. It is well worth putting a feeler gauge on them. (And all the others, but if they are loose they will probably be ok leaving alone).

 

[ctechbob]

Mental note on not to buy a Honda pilot. I went through the timing belt nightmares on my Volvo and vowed to never buy another car that wasn’t a chain.

I've said it before.

I will absolutely take a car with a belt that is designed to be replaced over a chain that isn't. Especially these days when manufacturers are building cars that eat timing guides every 150k and the like.

The J-Series is one of the easiest engines on the planet to do a TB on. Honda designs in little touches that make the job as easy as possible.

Except perhaps the 10mm bolts that hold the guards on. Those can go straight to the trash bin on some cars.

 

[skaughtz]

Mental note on not to buy a Honda pilot. I went through the timing belt nightmares on my Volvo and vowed to never buy another car that wasn’t a chain.

The service interval for the timing belt on these Pilots is 7 years or 105k miles. Maybe it is just better quality parts being used or that the J35 has been a reliable design for quite a while now, but mine went that exact time and distance on all of the factory parts without issue. Hopefully I get the same out of the replacements.

 

[Marcozi]

Why did/does Honda use timing belts?

 

[KrisZ]

Why did/does Honda use timing belts?

Why bother when it’s not affecting their sales?

 

[D1dad]

Why bother when it’s not affecting their sales?

Maybe not but it would effect trade in or used value if the service hadn’t been done. My S60 T5 had 120k maintenance on the belt and when I went to trade it in @100k they tried knocking off 3k. I kept the car and had the belt replaced at an Indy shop, still cost $1800. No belts since.

 

[D1dad]

The service interval for the timing belt on these Pilots is 7 years or 105k miles. Maybe it is just better quality parts being used or that the J35 has been a reliable design for quite a while now, but mine went that exact time and distance on all of the factory parts without issue. Hopefully I get the same out of the replacements.

It’s not the miles allowed, or the parts themselves. It’s the fact it a huge expense for most at a time when, if taken care of, shouldn’t really need any serious maintenance. My Volvo belt looked great @100k, still didn’t change the fact that I had to spend almost $2k on a car that had saw nothing but tires and brakes and still drove like new. It’s a dumb design when a chain is just as easy to use. Plus you have all the vtec and valve adjustments….and people rip on Nissans.