Ok so I just recently bought a 97gsr I used to own. 03 specv. I'm about to start nodding the engine but before I do I need to change the timing belt. Does anybody know how I can tell if it needs to be changed? Or how much it normally cost to change it?

 

I believe my manual said the T-Belt should be changed every 70k miles or 6 years, whichever comes first, or more often if the motor sees constant high reving.
Look for cracks or missing teeth on the belt, just like a serpentine belt.

 

Belts can fail even if they look OK, though, so when in doubt it's best to replace. A professional job could cost upwards of $600-700, or if you are reasonably handy you can DIY it in a weekend.

Since Honda uses interference engines, timing belt failures can be disasterous.

 

Ya I originally bought te car with 100k miles and the guy said it needed a new to timing belt. So I guess I should get that done asap before I start modding lol

 

I don't have the time to wrench like I used to, so I usually have a local mechanic do my timing belt. I make sure he uses OEM stuff, though. He used to be a mechanic at Honda, so he prefers that anyway. I got the timing belt, water pump, valve adjustment, valve cover gasket, and accessory belts for $500. So expect around that.

 

i would recommend taking it to a shop since it seems like you have no idea on what you are doing. i've done it numerous times and it takes no longer then two hours to complete even when i take my sweet time. search on google and there should be threads giving step by step procedures if you really tend to do it yourself

 

Lol naa I'm good I'd rather leave that to the pros.

 

the parts are about 200-250$ from honda depending on what you get.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=23

 

dude.. you can get a full timing kit.. tensioners, pulleys, belt... for less than 200 bucks.. its VERY easy to do, if you can follow directions.. but if you dont know/dont feel comfortable, get someone who does to do it.. do it wrong, and you can really f*** your head..

seriously.. its not hard at all.. just a bitch to get the crank pulley bolt loose.. haha

 

Man I wander if there is like a Honda mechanic school here in Virginia I'd hop on it quick.

 

you dont need school.. lol.. just read read read read read read do do do do do do do do work work work work work work.. thats all i did.. you get used to it.. just keep it up.. there is nothing a school will teach you that you can learn on your own.. a school will just do it in a more structured environment...

 

you start from your own garage and it stays in your own garage. its a hands on process

 

I plan on replacing my timing belt and water pump in my own garage here really soon. I have a buddy who is a ase certified tech at honda, he can get the parts at the employee price and hes gonna help me do it. I guess i can't beat that.

 

If you bought a used car, it may be difficult to see if the timing belt has been change or when it has been changed. I would change it to be safe.

Leave it up to a professional, water pump replacement at the same time would be a good idea, depending on the mileage it might be good to change the cam seals and crank seal.

 

yeah.. i ALWAYS change the water pump/oil pump while in there.. its a bitch to get in there, so i do it anyway..

 

Should I change my water/oil pump while I'm at it?

 

It's a good idea to.

 

Water pump is a must....oil pump I would do because you don't know the history of the car....and you don't want to have to be paying the labor again a year from now.

 

yeah.... its just a good idea.. its like changing the tranny... might as well change the clutch, as well, simply because its a bitch to get to, and your already there.. no point in waiting until it goes out

 

hondacareers.com/Body.asp?Page_ID=215

Honda PACT Program at Tidewater Comm school

 

no needto learn from a school, most ppl that work on their own cars are not mechanics, they just learn from experience and trial and error. Obviously you dont want to make an error on doing the timing belt, but there's enough writeup with step by step pictures on how to do it where you should have no problem doing it yourself.