Hi,

My wife's 2018 Elite (70,000 miles approx.) A/C stopped cooling 3 days ago. Yesterday, engine overheated. Took it immediately to a dealer and this is their estimate.

AC COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH AND COIL
Estimate
$ 2,631.60

They are also suggesting a timing belt replacement for $1,250. Is this really needed?.

Is this a ripoff?. What would be a fair price for each item?. Any recommendations on what to do?.

Thanks.

 

Sounds like the compressor froze up and the serpentine belt broke and therefore the overheat.
I wouldn't worry about the timing components and you might do quite a bit better on that AC work with an independent shop.
BTW timing belts do not need to be changed nearly as often as recommended. I never changed them on my vehicles before 150. Had many and never a problem.

 

Is your AC compressor driven by the accessory belt?
Is your water pump driven by the same belt?

Overheat can cause many other things to go bad
Head gasket is one possibility.
Overheat can warp the engine.
Do not know how badly your engine overheated?

AC compressor can cost around $450 and up for my 2007 CRV.
Add the labor and other parts needed
Could be around $1200. Which is what it cost me to replace my compressor (clutch was part of the compressor), and oil and refrigerant
This was back in 2018.

You may do better at an independent shop than the dealership.
Remember warranty in case something goes wrong
You do not want to have to pay twice for the same work.

As for the timing belt, the recommended interval to change the timing belt is between 60k and 100k
And they should should last longer than 100k (do not quote me)
If it was me, I would wait to get the most out of the timing belt before changing
But, I am cheap that way. Also, I hate timing belts.
It is a built in cost or expense that owners do not need.

 

Is your vehicle effected by the timing belt recall below? Maybe you can get Honda to replace it under warranty? Check the link below for details.

Statement by American Honda Regarding Timing Belt Recall: 2018-2019 Honda Pilot and Acura MDX; 2019 Honda Odyssey, Honda Ridgeline, Acura TLX, Acura RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid (hondanews.com)

Enter you VIN here to see if you're effected by the recall: www.recalls.honda.com

 

The other answers to you two questions:

1. The average cost for a Honda Odyssey AC compressor replacement is between $1,002 and $1,334. Labor costs are estimated between $246 and $310 while parts are priced between $756 and $1,024. Honda Odyssey AC Compressor Replacement Cost Estimate (repairpal.com)

2. The average cost for a Honda Odyssey timing belt replacement is between $788 and $1,031. Labor costs are estimated between $306 and $386 while parts are priced between $482 and $644. Honda Odyssey Timing Belt Replacement Cost Estimate (repairpal.com)