Turning a $50 Honda Pilot into the Ultimate Family Adventure Vehicle
Ever wondered if a $50 Honda Pilot with a broken timing belt could be transformed into the ultimate family adventure vehicle for overlanding? No? Spoiler alert: ALWAYS replace your timing belt ON TIME!
The Bargain Hunt
When a friend’s kiddo was driving their Honda and it suddenly stopped working, I immediately suspected a timing belt issue. The Honda Pilot has a legendary J35 V6 engine, but it requires a timing belt and spark plug replacement every 100,000 miles. I had a feeling this maintenance had been neglected. Despite never seeing the car before, I was offered it for just $50 and decided it was worth the risk.
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Assessing the Situation
My buddy Casey and I quickly assessed the situation. We found the timing belt wrapped around the crank sensor at the bottom of the engine, which explained the check engine light and the sensor code. This could be either a good or bad sign, as it stopped the crank from proceeding further. Using a bore scope, we discovered that everything looked clean, with no visible damage to the engine.
Hidden Surprises
Removing the timing belt covers revealed some unexpected surprises. The “fun” discoveries added an extra layer of excitement to our project.
Reassembly Time
With the damage assessed, we meticulously reassembled the timing components. Each step brought us closer to the moment of truth.
The Big Reveal
Finally, it was time to start the engine. Unfortunately, it wasn’t running the best. At that point, Casey decided he wanted the vehicle and, with less than $100 of new valves, got it running until the transmission broke. Typical Honda problems! 🚗💨
Although my wife didn’t get the SUV she wanted, the Honda Pilot went back into service for a bit before encountering another issue. This journey was filled with challenges, surprises, and valuable lessons on the importance of timely maintenance.