I have a 92 Accord EX with 165k miles on it. I have searched (and searched again) have have come to the conclusion that everyone thinks the belts should be changed at a different time. Some say every 100k some say 80k, ect. I want to make sure I'm on the safe side and want to replace mine. Dealership says they have to pull the entire engine out to change the timing belt. Is this true? Does the enire engine have to be pulled put? or can just the alternator, and such on the driverside be removed? Has anyone replaced theirs before? Is it very difficult?

 

The motor doesnt have to be taken out, all they have to do is either work with the open hood, or go from underneath. But that was just my 91 Accord. They didnt take my motor out and i had all the belts replaced. As for the change scheduling, I'm not sure, I have mine changed every 30k Miles.

 

They dont have to take ur motor out thats all BS I work at a dealership I know whats goes on its goin to cost alot there but they will do it right and its most lilkly u change it at 80 or 90 k and all the do is take ur wheel off and take all the belts off and then theres a cover over the timing belt and they take that joker off and its right there. have a nice day

 

tell them to go screw themselves...

Remove the engine are you shitting me? Where do these people come up with this stuff. You have to take off one engine mount at most. Getting the crankshaft bolt and sprocket off is the hardest part, and if you have access to hp air that's no problem. That's freaking ridiculous!!! Let me guess they gotta take the gas tank out to clean your injectors too!

and too answers your question I've heard 80k...I think that was from the dealorship, Haynes manual, and Helms manual

Why take your chances? $30 belt vs. $300 + for a head job, you do the math!

 

That this the biggest line of BS that I have ever heard. I would jsut take it to a independent mechanic that has foreign car in there shop and have them do the work.
As for that guy that told you about removing the engine, I would run away from that guy as fast as you can, He has a shade tree somewhere in his shop.


Later \Geeman

 

I've got a '00 Accord and according to the owner's manual, it says to replace the timing belt/water pump at 105K miles for normal driving conditions. I believe older models will need to be changed earlier than that. Best to check your owner's manual.

for my car, they didn't have to pull the motor out, just work on it with the hood up like the other posters said.

 

how come you change your belts every 30K? isn't that kinda often? do you race is that why? just curious cause the work isn't cheap, unless if you do the work yourself, i guess.

 

I've seen some aftermarket T/B recommend you replace them every 30K miles. Doesn't make sense, don't know why anyone would buy them.

 

According to Honda the timing belt should be changed at 90K under normal driving conditions, or 60K under extreme driving conditions. I had mine replaced at 90K and I lived in the desert which is considered extreme driving conditions, my belt looked fine with no cracks. So 90K should work just fine.

 

The interval for 90-93 Accords is 90K miles. Replacing timing belts may not be the first DIY project you want to undertake.

As pointed out getting the camshaft bolt loose can be biggest challenge of this project. The engine must be restrained from turning or a powerful air impact used. I use a crankshaft restraining tool on a 1/2" breaker locked against the ground and a 3/4" breaker bar w/ deep socket on the bolt and lifted w/ a screw jack under the handle. It takes more than my muscle to break that bolt. I've tried air impacts and run into problems even w/ 3/4" drive air impacts. You need more air for a large impact and my 3.5HP compressor wasn't up to the challenge. I once paid a Honda shop to break the bolt for me, and they used the tools I now use. They used a cheater pipe instead of a screw jack to gain leverage on the 3/4" breaker bar. You need a quality 3/4" breaker bar. I broke a cheap 3/4" breaker and now use a Craftsman 3/4" breaker. It has worked well.

Timing belts could probably be run longer. Every belt I've ever pulled looked pristine, almost new which may explain why the interval has increased. However, the bearings that the belt turns on do lose their grease w/ time.

Things to consider when doing timing belt work:

1) On second belt changeout at 180K, replacement of tensioner w/ bearing should be included. Water pump is frequently changed w/ timing belts. It's driven by timing belt and under the timing belt cover.

2) Balance shaft cover oring seals top of oil pump. It hardens w/ age and will begin to leak eventually. It should be replaced w/ timing belts. It costs $3-4 and takes 30 mins to replace.

3) Camshaft and front balancer shaft seals should be replaced if they show any signs of leakage and probably should be replaced in any case at second timing belt change. A balance shaft seal retainer should be added also. This prevents catastrophic ejection of the seal due to internal blowby pressure which can cause loss of engine oil in minutes.

Here's a link that provides some useful info for timing belt maintenance.

http://www.cybertrails.com/~be....html

However, this info is no substitute for a manual. A Honda Accord shop manual is much better than a Haynes, but one or the other is necessary.

good luck

 

I replace mine ('94 Accord) every 60-70K and by some accounts even that's excessive, but I figure better safe than sorry. Pull the engine?? What a load of ****!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eladius &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how come you change your belts every 30K? isn't that kinda often? do you race is that why? just curious cause the work isn't cheap, unless if you do the work yourself, i guess.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Haha, im not a racer, its just that i get it cheap cuhz i know the mechanic really well.