My brother just bought a 00 Accord EX @ 165k miles on it... The orig owners never did the timing belt... So we were looking into parts to get... Now I always heard to do the tensioner as well as the water pump and any belts at the same time... But when we called Honda they said they normally dont change the tensioners... Is this true? Should we replace the tensioners? Or is this car different than most, and they last longer? Also, what parts do we need? I know these cars have 2 belts, right?

 

I am drawing upon my experience from changing the t.belt of my 90 integra several years ago. The tensioners were not replaced; check its condition by listening to the bearing while you spin it. All the accessory belts and the water pump were replaced. The crankshaft pulley bolt is extremely tight! Use an impact wrench or a long breaker bar. For alignment, be extra careful with the aligning marks. Good luck.

 

check the price and be the judge. I can assure you of one thing, a new tensioner will be cheaper than head work!!! That and hindsight is always 20/20, especially when you F up by not replacing parts when you could have. Trust me on that one!

 

Yea... See thats what I always thought... I was just shocked that Honda would say they shoulnt need to be replaced... Specially since they are making an extra buck off the parts... Just seemed odd to me... Like I said, I always heard u should replace em while your in there, as well as any other wearable parts... Even the oil pump if cost isnt a big issue...

 

i ain't saying you have to, but depending on what they cost why wouldn't you? I really don't know what the maintence schedule says cuz i never follow it...stuff usually breaks down before then lol.

I just know had I changed my balance shaft belt on my old Eclipse the first time i would have saved a bunch of money (instead of trying to be a tightwad) and not had to redo it a month later!

Why do you think there's so many mechanics around? Because people are too lazy or have this crazy idea that it saves money to not spend that extra buck!

 

$81.28 for the two tensioners @ Advance Auto Parts ..
http://www.partsamerica.com/Pr...set=A

I also asked Honda about this before and they also told me that theres no need to get new tensioners.. but I did anyway b/c them Honda sales guys dont always make the best mechanics.

 

K, well thanks for the responses guys! Ill tell my brother, let him make the call if he wants to get them or not...

 

I would definately replace the tensioners while you are down there...I always do. At 50 bucks a piece it is definately worth it, because if one of them fails then you will be in a whole world of hurt. Remember on those cars to not mess around with the balancer shaft, there should be a bolt on the backside of the motor towards the pulley side of the engine that you can remove and shove a screwdriver in to lock the balancer shaft in its place. If you get that 180 out then you will have some nasty engine vibrations. My 2 cents

 

when I did my timing belt I figured might as well that way they dont lock up later and break the belt. I did the water pump, bearings, seals, pretty much the whole area with a lower end gasket kit. Even broke down the oil pump and checked/replaced what was needed.

Its better then having a break down later cause you did not do the whole thing the first time around.