Ok so I purchased a 01 PY ITR last week from a local and the car has sat for the last seven out of eight years he has owned it. So naturally the car has low miles, 28,202 to be exact and I have read that Helms suggest replacing the timing belt and water pump at the 60k or 6-7 year mark. Now obviously it has been longer then that, this I am aware of and will be getting it done before I put the car on the road in May. My dilemma is thing, I have done 3-4 timing belts on previos Honda's before, some while the motor was out some while it was in. But I really thing I want to have this car serviced at the dealer but I am so worried about the car getting any kind of blemishes. This may sound silly but someone out there has to relate I just don't want anything to get scratched in the bay or the brand new valve cover to get messed up or anything else. The car is also modded with small Spoon parts and what not here and there and I don't wat anything coming up missing to because I know fighting Acura will be a headache and a half. Any suggestions of anyone run into this problem please tell me what you did. I know this is the right place to ask for help because most people would be like "its just an Acura who cares if it gets a scratch" but this thing is too clean to have anything happen to it. Sorry for the rambling!

EDIT: Just curious but does anyone else go by the years rather then the milage because I am noticing over on ITRCA.com that all the low milage ITR's for sale don't mention anything about ever having the timing belt service done. Just wondering if anyone actually goes by the time, I hope so...

 

there is no logical answer anyone can provide. if we say "you do it" then your worries come to be. if we say "dealer does it" then the other side you posted comes up. the choice is yours and yours alone.

 

I would suggest (a) finding a dealer or independent mechanic who's really good AND really careful, and (b) discussing your aesthetic concerns when dropping off the car. Unless you have a lot of mechanical experience, doing it yourself is really risky with a pristine car, because you don't know all the hazards and ways to avoid scratching/damaging stuff.

If you don't already have one, PM me and I can give you the name of an independent mechanic who will take immaculate care of your car (he works mostly on NSXs) and who's an hour from the city. And he's not overly expensive either.

Incidentally, the recommendation in the owner's manual, as well as in the '98 service manual that applies to the '98-01, is that the timing belt should be replaced after 105K miles or 7 years, whichever comes first. So yes, it's still overdue, but not by as much as you stated.

Even though it's not stated in the service manual, I recommend that at the same time you do the timing belt, you also replace the water pump, as well as the cooling system hoses (if not all of them, then at least the biggest ones). It's good preventive maintenance and there are some labor and coolant savings in doing all of this at the same time as the timing belt.

 

I'd say find someone you can trust and do the work at home.

 

Ditto on that. Especially if you feel uneasy dropping your car off somewhere for an extended period of time.

My 98 was still on the original T-belt at 80K when I received ownership of the vehicle, but I made sure that all fluids were changed with OEM Honda, and the T-belt/waterpump/tensioner/spring were changed out immediately. The old T-belt and waterpump actually still looked great, but I definitely would not risk it.

Btw, I'm selling a complete, new, OEM T-belt kit (B18C5) for a good price to fellow R-owners if you're interested. Ended up somehow purchasing two, and I already used one to do mine a few months ago: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...8/DSC_0222.jpg

 

if your worried about something happening to it then why did you buy it in the first place?i dont understand sometimes why people buy these cars and are afraid to drive/enjoy them.even if you know how to change it yourself i say go with the dealer because they have to pay for anything they damage(they have insurance for that).if you do it yourself you could end up accidently scratching it and you will have to pay out of pocket for the damages,it happens.if you are worried about stuff coming up missing then take pics and make a detailed list so when they are done you can thourouly check it out before you leave the lot and tell them if something is not there or damaged.if you leave the lot and find out later that something is wrong then it takes away the liability from the dealer.

 

Edited my first post, was curios because I'm looking over on ITRCA.com and coming across low milage ITR's for sale an no one says anything about having the timing belt and water pump done .

 

They SHOULD be going by time as well as mileage. However, not everyone maintains cars according to the book. That's the main reason why timing belts fail.

Whether the timing belt was replaced when due is a good way to tell the difference between a car that has been maintained well and one that has not.

 

I'd just do it yourself. What better way to learn about your car then to get your hands dirty. Plus, you'll save yourself and sh*tload of money. Do all three v-belts at the same time.

I have done countless timing belts, on R's that I've owned and just lowly single cam Civics. It's all the same; just triple check your timing marks and your belt tension.

 

Do it yourself. At least if you F something up, it is your fault and your fault alone.

 

I would not take it to an Acura dealer unless I knew and trusted someone there. I've been finding some real retards work at my local Honda/Acura dealers.
"5w-20 is for below 20 degrees outside while 5w-30 is for above 30 degrees. The weight is all the same" :facepalm:

 

Well you have mentioned that you had done these services on vehicles in the past. For best peace of mind, why don't you tackle it yourself?

 

I wouldn't let anyone do my timing belt but me, but I'm really good at it.

If you are not experienced doing the work, someone else who is should.

I would have the guy nsxtacy recommends take care of it.

 

totally do it yourself. if you've done timing belts on other hondas, this one shouldn't be too much trouble for you. if you're paranoid about knicking something, use painters tape and cheap-o rags to cover the area you're working on.

just because they're the dealer doesn't mean they don't have complete retards working there. i have all sorts of horror stories i could share haha

 

Part of the fun of owning the car is working on it. The first timing belt that I ever changed was on my R. It was a lot of fun, a little scary but went well. I didn't scratch or break anything because I was extra careful. I did a ton of research and got a Helms manual. Do it yourself and have pride in your ride.

 

I agree.

 

I changed my timing belt and water pump with 17k on the clock. I didnt want to risk it but the timing belt and water pump I took off could litterally pass as brand new. There are no signs or wear. I figured I would save them then thought about the timing belt dry rotting? I mean how can you test them out? This thing looks like it was never used, no cracking or anything.

 

Like other people have said have someone do it you trust and i wouldnt take it to a dealer hell no! hahaha there are some retards at the dealers, i used to work at a acura dealer as a master tech years and years ago **** i was just thinking its been 8 years lol anyways i had to deal with punk kid techs all day that would fu@# shizzz up and i had to fix there f ups so i would not!!!

 

If you know how to do it yourself, do it yourself. Keep in mind that most dealers are flat rate so many dealer techs will crank your car out as fast as possible to make hours. It all depends on who works on your car and unless you know someone at that dealer, you have no control over that.
personally, I do all my own mechanical work so that I KNOW it's done right. If you do, make sure you know what your doing, you don't want your valves to kiss your pistons. And as far as damaging your car, Its not rocket science. Cover your fenders, use the right tools, keep your workspace and your parts clean and organized and you shouldn't have a problem. If your that **** about your car, I can guarantee you that you'll be more careful then most dealer techs.
(a note on this. I'm not trying to make dealer techs look like scum, I'm a tech at a BMW dealer and I don't butcher peoples cars. Every individual tech has their own level of workmanship and conscience. I'm only referring to the fast pace environment that flat rate creates.)

 

do it yourself
its easy