I'm currently looking at purchasing a 94 accord ex-r, but before i do i have a simple question about the timing belt: what can happen if it breaks? I ask because the guy is not the original owner of the car, and does not know when it was last replaced.

I've heard that either nothing can happen; your car just stalls or that it can wreck your vavles, pistons, etc. Can someone clarify this for me?

 

It can really mess your car up.

If your timing belt goes out, your car is basically done.


It costs about 400 bucks to get it changed, but its well worth it... every 100k miles

 

If the timing belt breaks, and nothing else gets damaged, it would be a miracle. Chances are, when the belt breaks one or more valves will be left open, then the piston comes up, and makes contact, bending or breaking it.

 

how many miles? It is/was due @ 90K... or 8 years. If the belt breaks your engine is toast and it will cost you about 2 grand to fix...........

 

There's 240 km on it. I was hoping that it wouldn't be that serious, but whatever. I'll see how it runs and get it changed soon, no way can i afford to pay for a new engine (i can barely afford the car).

It would've been nice to know when the last one was changed, or if it was ever changed.

 

that's about 150K miles. Have you asked the owner if they changed the timing belt and if so at what milage? It should have been done at 144KM. If the timing belt has not been changed, do it asap or better yet find another car....

If the belt has been changed at anytime in the last 5 years, the new one should be good for 105Kmiles or 168KM

 

There are cars that have gone 200k+ Miles without changing the timing belt, and ran fine... but the thing is-- better safe than sorry. If your timing belt goes out, the cars worthless.


I suggest you take it into a shop, have them look at the timing belt, to tell you if its in decent condition... They might charge like 40 bucks.

 

i'm sure there are but I not willing to bet $2K+ on it

 

i agree lol

 

I considered this, but i don't think it'll be 40 bucks. It costs like 400 bucks to get it changed from talking to my friends, and the money is primarily for labour from what i've been told.

How difficult would it be to change myself? I have knowledge and stuff and i'm not bothered by ripping my engine apart. I also have a mechanic friend who would likely give me a hand. How many hours do you think i'd be looking at? Or should i not even attempt it?

 

if you plan on doing it yourself, best advice i can give you , is to buy an helm book. and read up a bit before starting the job ,,,,,,,,www.helminc.com

 

personally I would let the honda dealer deal with that......

 

I agree with Honda-Master, buy a Helm manual. It has step-by-step detailed instructions on many things like the timing belt, brakes, engine removal, ect. Well worth the price.

Also, search the recent and archives in the Accord forum. There are plenty of threads that have discussed the difficulty and such related things that go along with replacing a timing belt that you can read through. There is a write-up I believe, one of those threads should contain the link. Those threads will also give you an idea of what to replace while your in there.

After reading through several of those threads, decide if it's something you feel you can tackle.

I've done a few. One on mine and a couple on a friends. Personally, I don't feel it's really hard, mostly time consuming (especially if it's your first one). I would allow a whole day to complete it if it's your first one, just make sure you allow enough time to complete so your not rushing and forget to tighten something or put something back in and have extra parts. Also, double and maybe even triple check your work, take you time and do it right the first time.