I am getting ready to have my timing belts on my 94 EX replaced by a local shop with a good reputation. They will use my parts. When I was getting the parts together I bought two new OEM timing belt tensioners from the local Honda dealer (also very reliable). He told me that they never replaced them, but I bought them anyway. The local repair shop which specializes in Hondas also said they had never replaced them. I explained that this then would be their first time since I wanted new tensioners. It seems odd that both of these shops never replace them. I was under the impression that is was something more than just a good idea. And looking at the mileage on my car I am very sure I want to do this. So, is it the norm NOT to replace them?

 

I have replaced them each time I did my timing belts. It's odd to hear someone to tell you not to bother, considering they come in the kits. I also replaced the water pump the last time I changed mine. Might want to look into that as well if it has never been replaced.

 

Oh, yeah, I got a list of necessary parts of the forum and the preferred manufacturer of each. Some I got from Honda, some from Rock Auto. The water pump is Aisin. The belts are Gates. The tensioners and seals are OEM Honda since I couldn't find the preferred brands at Rock Auto and the small parts are cheap anyway. It was a really good write-up on an old thread.

 

Most guys i know who have worked at the Honda and Acura dealers for years will commonly just check the condition of the tensioner pulleys if it's the first timing belt or they have some reason to believe it was changed with the last timing belt. If it's 200k+ and/or they hear or feel some wear then they'll change it.

However, since you provided the parts and requested it be changed it was rude/lazy of them not to do it. It would have had to be loosened or removed durring the other parts of the job. there would have been no additional time or effort on their part to use the new ones.

 

Oh they will replace it. They were just trying to save me some money and didn't know I had already bought the tensioners. Since I bought OEM it was well over $100 for the two. But that's not a lot considering it will be for the next 100,000 miles if the motor last that long.