Hi all, I am new to participating on the forum. I have been reading the forums for a while now and I have always been impressed by the information I have been able to find on here.

So I have a 1998 Honda Accord EX 2.3L MFI VTEC 4cyl. It runs like a champ but its 225,000 miles makes me nervous. I bought it six years ago at 185K but I don't have any work/service history for it. I did find a receipt for a new (used) transmission put into it, but don't know what mileage that was at.

It has some oil seeping here and there but nothing too major. But I think it is time to replace the timing belt but if I am going to do that I might as well do a full job on it... But what do I do?

"bseriescrxsi" posted in another thread:

"yes you are overdue for a timing belt either way ....and whether you decide to tackle the job yourself(gonna guess not) or take it to a shop.....better get the following done:
water pump
head gasket
timing belts
tensioner
valve cover gaskets w/ spark plug grommets
power steering belt
alternator belt
would be a bad idea to have the intake manifold gasket done either (upper and lower)
all fluids as muffinman said
brake flush
pcv valve and fuel filter(whenever i do timing change i do these 2 as preventative as a rule of thumb)"

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/how-can-you-inspect-timing-belt-honda-accord-1994-a-2663145/

Is all of that overkill? Plus I am hesitant to do anything to it because it runs so well. What are your thoughts?

 

my opinion not a bad idea to do it since you have no idea when anything was done to it. as for as miles go, i have a 92 accord wagon lx with over 300xxx miles & still running strong. about 80xxx miles ago i did all that maintenance work to my car

 

Unless you have a leak I would not bother with replacing the head gasket. You can check the intake manifold for leaks, but not something that needs to be replaced regularly.

Waterpump, timing belts, timing belt tensioners are a must. If the belt snaps the pistons and valves will make contact, requiring cylinder head removal and valve replacement.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture in the air. If it has turned brown or black it needs to be replaced and flushed out.

Check all belts and hoses for cracking.
The coolant needs to be flushed, it eventually breaks down and needs to be replaced.

 

Thanks for the insight. I agree and I think I am going to hold off on the head gasket. As I start pricing this stuff out where would you recommend I go for parts? In the past I have needed parts in a hurry so I usually run down to the local auto parts store. Are there any places online that you buy from that have quality parts for a decent price?

Thanks!

Brock

 

I would get the belts from Honda. When I did mine I had put 110000 miles on my 94 accord. I got my new belts from oreilly auto parts before I did the tear down. The new belts that I got from oreilly was not near the thickness or quality of the honda belts I took off. The honda belts still looked brand new. If my water pump had not been leaking and in need of replacement I would have felt like I had wasted my time. I saved the old belts I removed and have thought many times about tearing it back down and putting them back on.

 

HA-HA-Noooooooooooooo.

Chuck those used belts, and only use quality belts. A Gates belt kit with tensioneers is all that is needed. Some of those Dayco belts are pure crap.

 

Gates kit same as Honda parts but 1/2 the markup as Honda: http://www.amazon.com/Gates-TCKWP244...943527&sr=8-1: $69.81

Pay extra for fast shipping.

 

or go to roackauto.com get a gates (honda repacks them as there own) Gates tensioner and napa gold pump. I would look at your cam seal and oil pump seal and see if they are wet, that would be the perfect time to replaces them. I wouldnt do head gasket, and intake.. If anything you would have to take it to a machine shop and check that the block is within spec.