I bought this car, it's currently got 141k on it. The previous owner didn't know when it was changed; I dont think they had it for long. But I was wondering how I can tell? I know a lot of people say "when in doubt, change it!!!111!", but I was hoping there was a better way. There are a LOT of new parts underhood (they are nice and shiny), and the car is in great condition.. but how can I be sure? I dont wanna pay for this to be done.. and I certainly dont have time anymore to be doing this myself.

Matt

 

Many Honda owners ask this. The truth is the condition of the timing belt cannot be told by inspection. Since your Honda has an interference engine, if the belt fails serious engine damage may result. So you are rolling the dice here. Remember also that many used car owners sell their car right before it is due for a TB change. Get it replaced. Also get the owner's manual and start getting acquainted with the maintenance schedule. The owner's manual is free online at https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.asp. On the left, click on "Owner's Manuals." Follow the pointers.

 

Yes I know they are interference engines, thats why I'm kinda worried about it. The car has obviously been maintained very well, but like you said, people like to sell them right before the tb is due. I dont like playing with fire, and thats what it seems like I"m doing right now if I cant find out what kind of condition this belt is in. Thanks for the link though, gonna read up some.

 

How long has the previous owner had it?

I bought my GSR with 14xK on it, and I don't think the belt was ever changed. I changed it, and it was stretched over an inch long than the new one.

I got lucky, too because I jumped a tooth on the exhaust gear. If I didn't notice, I would of never changed the belt.

 

I dont know how long the previous owner had it, but I asked when it was changed and they said "we have no idea".. but the motor/underhood looks VERY maintained. So I'm on the edge about it.

But how many miles on your gsr now? Hows it running?

 

I'd get it changed then. Along with the water pump, too.

My GSR has about 148k on it.. I put almost 4k miles on it so far.
It's running great, aside from having a blown transmission, so the car has been sitting in my driveway for the past two weeks now.

 

Damn the water pump too? Is that a big failure item?

 

While you're down there, it's good to change it, too. It's not much.. like $100 or so from Acura/Honda.

Are you going to do the job or have it done at a shop? A shop is going to charge around $4-800 for the job.

 

I'm HOPEFULLY gonna have a buddy do the work for me. So it SHOULD be pretty cheap.

 

It's going to be about $180-$200 in parts from Honda. And only use OEM parts.

 

just do it , yeah it mght be a little time ,energy, and some money....but
it definitely over weighs the out come, if it was to break on you.

 

x2.

It's not that hard. I did it with a friend helping me keeping track of tools and keeping me company. No manual or anything, just knowledge from reading up.

We got done in about 2 hours.

 

I'm gonna look into it.. I might just do it. But you suggest ONLY using oem Honda belts?

Is there a decrease in engine performance/economy by using a spent timing belt?

 

Not really.. you may not be running very well if the timing belt jumped a tooth or two on the cam gear(s), though.

The main problem with a timing belt is that if it breaks, expect the worst. You're playing with fire with a worn out timing belt. If it breaks, you're going to look at valve damage, and possible engine and piston damage. the money it costs for a T-belt job outweighs the cost of having a motor, cylinder head, and valve train rebuilt or replaced any time.

 

Hmm. Looks like I've got my work cut out lol. Is it common to skip cam gear teeth w/ worn belts?

Whats the best performance headgasket I can use for this car?

 

It's not very common, but if you rev the car high, and drive it hard it can happen. Most commonly on the DOHC motors, like I ended up doing because the belt was stretched, but I had no damage.

As for a head gasket.. unless you're boosted, high compression, fully built, etc, there's no reason to buy a high performance head gasket. OEM is fine. Even people that are built will use OEM head gaskets.

 

ok coolio. Thanks for the info, now I just have to find a new belt

 

85 305 I assume you are referring to the 93 Del Sol here?

and I was wondering if you all think the tensioner should be replaced as a matter of course along with the timing belt and water pump? or no?

seems like if the tensioner goes, if the bearings seize up or wear out, it could very well end up destroying the timing belt?

 

i used to drive a SOHC non-vtec auto EG.
The timing belt was approx. 25,000km overdue. The belt snapped as i was driving about 50-60km/h up the road. The car just as i was driving it so i pulled onto the side of the road. Engine was still good after throwing a new belt on, the mechanic at the time did install the belt out a tooth which made it ping like crazy. I corrected the mistake and the car still runs today and id be guessing it has close to 300,000km's on the engine now. My neighbour still drives it around.

My DA9 is at 240,000km's and i got it at around 192,000kms so it would most likely have been due for one. Hasn't snapped yet. I really should change it though, im starting to stress about it.

 

dookeye- hell no, my sol only has 48k miles or LESS on EVERYTHING.

paul- so you've had the belt snap and nothing happened?? I've heard that it's pretty much guaranteed something to go wrong when they snap on these cars. I'm stressing about it because it's gonna cost a fortune and I dont want it to snap, since I have no idea about mileage on the belt.

 

haha
thats awesome
you tell me "no" its not the Del Sol, but you still dont say what vehicle you are talking about.
And I am also amazed that an interference engine snapped a timing belt and suffered no other ill effects.

Not really familiar with the model you mention Paul but I presume it has an interference engine like pretty much any other Honda.

I'm no mechanical engineer but it just doesn't seem probable that a crankshaft and camshaft spinning independently of each without a timing belt could last more than a few seconds without contacting valves to pistons in an engine that is going at least 1500 RPM's, probably more like 3000 RPM's. You have dramatically different velocities and masses and friction factors in these different parts and they are not going to continue moving in the same manner as when they had a timing belt linking them.
The only explanation I can think of is if right after the belt snaps the camshaft virtually immediately rolls into a position where it is not opening any of the valves far enough to hit the pistons - and stays there.

Maybe there are some earlier Honda engines that were not interference type.

 

Engines with a shorter stroke are less succeptable to this. Not saying it doesn't happen, but a B16 is less likely than a B18..

Not really relavant here, just saying.

OP... Change the TB and WP. Not bad at all. Take your time, research the procedures, and get some help.

-XLR8

 

dookeye- I'm talking about my '98 HX lol.

iliv2xlr8- i'm looking into it. i dont wanna do it myself though

 

My EG which the belt snapped on was this:
AUDM Civic GLi Sedan
Body style 4-door sedan
On-sale dates Oct 1993 - Sep 1995
Engine 1,493cc SOHC 16 valve, 4-cyl MPFI
Power / torque 74kW / 133Nm
Transmission 4-speed automatic

Well the car still runs to this day after the timing belt swap. I guess it could have been one of three things..
1. Free-spinning engine.
2. It wasnt a timing belt issue and the mechanic ripped me.
3. I got lucky.

With all that said, you should change the belt. Nothing worse if you have just purchased this car and kill it very soon after.

 

buy OEM parts. The fit and finish is better. The price isn't much more. Check www.hondapartsunlimited.com. Your local dealer will steal your wallet and give it back empty.