I'm gearing up for the big timing belt plunge. i'm going all the way, belts, water pump, crank seal, oil pump seal, cam seal, valve cover, plug tubes bla bla bla. i have 3 questions for you:

1. are you guys using stock oem honda only stuff, aftermarket kits? mix and match? what's the concensus. i have a feeling what the responses will be. my gut feeling is honda parts, although a bit richer in cost, go in easier, fit better, last longer, i dunno, look better too?

2. anybody putting together an everything kit? i found a pretty good kit on flea-bay, still missing some pieces, but all honda parts. here's that kit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&rd=1
(this one's for an ex but he also has kits for non ex) i want to add lower spark plug tube o-rings and both tensioners.

3. anybody have one of the crank pulley holder tools laying around? i'd rather buy a used one or borrow one than pay 49 bucks for one. not much use after doing this job. suppose i could make a lamp out of it. anybody wanna recoup a couple bucks on theirs?

 

Instead of buying a pulley holder, just take your car to a shop and have them take the bolt off and put it back on hand tight. They will only charge you around $5 bucks and it will save you alot of time in the long run. And use OE parts.

 

not a bad idea, thanks

 

You have the right idea. Always use Honda parts. Especially the water pump. I've even seen a few of those with PLASTIC impellers! Scary sight for the part responsible for keeping your engine from overheating.

 

how many miles are on your car

i was told not to change my water pump at 90k. i'mma get that changed at 180k

when i got my timing belt back from the mechanic it looked brand new after 90k

 

You should change your water pump at the same time as your timing belt. You might as well do it while you're down there. Plus it is part of the 90K maintenance. 180K is way too long.

 

The mechanic that I went to worked for Honda for 20 years and his crew also worked for Honda 3-5 years. I trust his judgment. He said he checked the water pump and it was good. He also said that dealers try to trick you into getting your water pump changed every 90k. I was surprised when I heard him say this too.

It’s recommended that you change your timing belt every 90k. When I got my old timing belt back from him it looked brand new. No cracks, no glaze, nothing. I could have run it for another 20k at least.

If he is wrong about the water pump then I guess I’m fucked.

 

mmm, well it is either ..Pay me now $ 60 dollars for a water pump while everything is apart //////////// OR .....
Pay me 6 months from now $ 3-400--500 dollars to redo the job all over again
Your mechanic neglacted to inform you that when you put a new timing belt , it will be tighter than the old one ,,so it will have a bit more stress on the water pump bearing ,,it will make the old water pump wear out ( noise, leak ) much sooner ..
something to keep in mind ,,
My advice spend the extra 60 dollars while it is all apart and put a new pump in..