i found that i might have to change my timing belt because the civic previous owner might not have done it. so i was wondering, is there a way to make sure that i need to change it before it actually stops?

 

you'll generally have lower compression during your start up, signaling a need of a new timing belt, making it hard to start and/or you'll have erratic idle speeds.

 

It should be changed at or before 90k along with the water pump.

You can visually inspect it for cracks as well.

 

oh lord..maybe i need a new timing belt on my coupe:-d

 

lol me too

 

lol,yeah if you haven't make sure you do, before the engine stops churning

 

inspect the belt? can just open the engine without removing all the parts to inspect it?

 

loosen the nuts that hold on the valve cover, loosen other things such as the clutch cable (if neccessary), and lightly remove the valve cover, on the t-belt cover there should be two bolts ( 10mm socket heads), take those two bolts out, and while lifting up on the valve cover, remove the t-belt cover, inspect the belt.
Look for discoloration on top of the belt, the fiberglass threads inside the belt tend to stretch and cause the belt to get almost white. Inspect the side of the belt, look for cracking, fraying cords, and lift up on the belt (towards the front of the car), and test the slack. Factory slack when new is very little, 6-9mm, if it feels excessive and sloppy it needs replaced.
This is the only way with out totally removing the belt and inspecting in between the teeth to find the weak spots.
should take you about 5 minutes to get at the belt and inspect it....
NOTE- be extra careful when tightening down the valve cover nuts, if you over torque them (8lbs max) some studs will snap, then your in doo doo.