Hi, I am going to replace timing belt package for my 99 Accord 4 cyl, where can I get this job done cheaply and well? Is the timing belt tensionor needed replace at the same time? any suggestions will be highly appreciated. Could I buy OEM parts on ebay then find a shop nearby to do this job for me? thanks.

 

well before you perform any timing belt replacment you need to ask yourself a few questions.

1)is this the first time its being done?

2) is it leaking oil from the seals?

3) is it at the recommended mileage?

these are all damn good questions and im sure theres more that could be asked, but lets keep it simple.

if this is the normal recommended mileage interval replacement of the timing belt than its safe to say that the entire timing belt system is tired and quickly approaching its life expectancy. now since your honda is running an interference motor everything that is involved with the timing belt is capable of being a weak link in the chain, and if one fails it takes out a few valves and possibly the head with it. and thats a very expensive job. so if your going to keep your car for another 105,000 miles then i would recommend you replace all of the timing belt components including the seals and o-ring. if your just gonna get rid of it in a few months than roll the dice and do just the belts. but if your keeping it and want the peace of mind that your car has already given then here is what you'll want to get:

1 X timing belt (HONDA OEM BELT since it designed with kevlar and the same belt just went whatever mileage you have at the moment)

1 X balance shaft belt (HONDA OEM BELT)

1 X timing belt tensioner (now if you want peace of mind and don't want to go back into that side of the motor for another 105,000 miles then its strongly recommended that you replace the tensioner at the same time, yes this bearing does wear down after time and can fail, you could go aftermarket on the tensioners but its better if you go with honda OEM)

1 X balance shaft tensioner

1 X water pump(its driven off the timing belt, and it can also have a bearing failure, and not to mention that if it starts to leak a few thousand miles after you just had the timing belt replaced you'll have to disassemble that side of the motor a second time, and if your paying a shop to do the belt then there gonna charge you again to replace the water pump if it starts to fail down the road)

1 x crank shaft seal

1 X cam shaft seal

1 X front balance shaft seal (if your doing an older accord make sure that you use the seal retainer that honda did a recall campaign on when the front balancer started spitting out the seal)

1 X rear balance shaft housing o-ring

1 X valve cover gasket set( since you have to remove it in order to access the timing belt you might as well replace it if you haven't already, not to mention it helps keep the spark plug tubes from leaking oil all over the spark plug wires and causing an ignition leak)

2 gallons of honda premixed antifreeze/coolant( highly recommended since its long life antifreeze with no phosphates, no borates, and no silicates which can chew on a water pumps bearing seal, and since your water pump is driven off the timing belt its a safe bet to use the right stuff and its also a cool blue color as well)

additional parts you might want to change while performing the timing belt replacment

4 X spark plugs

1 X distributor shaft o-ring

1 X ignition cap

1 X ignition rotor

1 x spark plug wires

1 X honda approved power steering fluid (since you'll be opening the power steering system when changing the timing belt)

and thats pretty much a complete timing belt service, now most shops wouldn't even think of trying to approach a customer with a list like that, they would rather you roll out with your new timing belt and possibly be back down the road when your timing belt gets taken out by a part that wasn't replaced when they did the repair the first time. but if your smart and are keeping your accord then you just might want to get it fixed the right way. as far as going with the dealer thats one option, but not always the cheapest, if you take a few minutes and make a few calls you'll probably find a shop with a knowledgeable service manager who can understand what your wanting down, and be more than happy to perform the service the way you want, as far as bringing in your own parts its not an accepted practice in the automotive industry since they wont get any mark up on the parts, nor can they warranty the part if it fails.