I've recently picked up a 97 civic CX that has 98k on in. It's pretty much do for a timing belt at this point and I'm debating with buying the tools I need to do it myself or having the stealership do it. I've been quoted $411 dollar out the door to have the timing belt, water pump and seals replaced. I figure that I can buy the parts that I need for $100 or so dollars. I've done engine work on my neon in the past but I don't have the compressor and impact wrench that I would need to get the crank pulley bolt loose. I can probably rent a compressor and impact for $50 or so and come out ahead. $411 dollars doesn't seem like a bad price though especially since I'm also transfering the liability to them in case something goes wrong. What would you do?

 

toming belt isnt one of those things that i'd combat without doing a lot of research first. maybe search around and look for a DIY or tutorial?

 

SOHC timing belt is quite simple but easy to screw up. As you already know the most difficult part is getting the crank pulley off. Easiest way around that is to take it up to a shop and have them break it loose and then hand tighten it back.

Take your time, check and re-check everything... there's plenty of how-to's and help to be had on this board...

You should have a torque wrench also...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by miahmouse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">SOHC timing belt is quite simple but easy to screw up. As you already know the most difficult part is getting the crank pulley off. Easiest way around that is to take it up to a shop and have them break it loose and then hand tighten it back.

Take your time, check and re-check everything... there's plenty of how-to's and help to be had on this board...

You should have a torque wrench also...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah have someone else break the bolt loose. Also you need to do (or it is highly advised) that you do a valve adjustment whenever you take the timing belt off and put it back on, least i do. Plus if it has 100K it probably needs it done anyway. Considering you'll already have the valve cover off, it's pretty easy. There should be a write up here somewhere, but you'll need a set of feeler gauges.

 

right on with the valve adjustment. I'd rather see someone spend $100 on parts and an extra $100 on tools than $400 at the stealership...

 

generally, ppl replace the water pump when doing the timing belt. be sure to consider this when budgeting things out. i dont think you included this in your original budget of $100 since the pump itself costs at least that much if you buy oem. its better to do it now when everything is already off.

 

Research and do it yourself.

 

I was recently in your position but decided not to do it just yet.

For the crank pulley, you can get a crank pulley holder socket from amazon for about 12 bucks, as well as the tool needed to adjust valves for another 12 dollars. I would seriously consider buying the two as they will make your life a lot easier when doing the work

For the timing belt, please refrain from getting anything else than a Honda genuine part (55$) for the simple fact that breaking timing belts in an interference motor is not good.

The water pump you can get off ebay for pretty cheap, or you can find a package like i did with all seals and the pump itself for about 100 bucks off ebay.

Now would also be a good time to replace that thermostat since you will be draining the coolant. Again, I advise only using Honda genuine part (13$)because you know it won't fail on you. Get new coolant as well, and you can proly look and see in the radiator if it has deposits in it, which you can put CLR in to clean out the deposits.

 

http://www.inlinefour.com

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

only 2 places i buy waterpump, timing belt, or tensioners from.

 

1in drive impact gun pwns crank pully's

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDMFantasy2k &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.inlinefour.com

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

only 2 places i buy waterpump, timing belt, or tensioners from. </TD></TR></TABLE>

OP, buy from these places and save yourself from paying those outrageous dealer prices. i paid $47 canadian for a damn thermostat, while on that site it was only $13!! But that was before HT. Shop around but make sure you get OEM parts so that you dont have to redo it in 50k.