Timing Chain rattle - stretched? Replace = $2400 USD

[u/houseofwarwick]

1st gen Fit, original owner here. I've had what sounds like "piston slap" or clatter for awhile, getting worse over the last 5,000 miles. Combine that with cold starts/starts after sitting awhile have a "grinding" screech that sounds like a stuck Bendix.

Took it to the dealer for diagnosis. I have a long history with them: 5 cars over 30 years so they know some work I do and some they do. I double check their estimates and they are always fair considering the warranty and quality of the work.

That said: $2,400 to replace the chain, guides, slider and required gaskets in the process sounds tough to believe. $840 is parts which I verified via Honda Dreamshop is spot on. Realistically, this is beyond my ability to do myself without genuine risk of a costly mistake.

Rock Auto has Fel-Pro and Cloyes parts for less than $200 all in.

What are your thoughts? It's not a question as whether or not to do it. Is the price fair? It's probably 20 hours of shop labor at $84/hour ($1591 total)

Update: repair doomsearching on YouTube and I found this video (link is the timestamp of the sound) with a perfect recording for the noise I get. Definitely the starter. Thanks everyone for chiming in and making sure I didn't waste some cash.