So, I just got this car. I'm going to quiz the dealer on what was done in the tune-up performed before selling. At the price, I highly doubt a timing belt and valve adjustment. But I'm wondering if, since I am a n00b to Hondas, if there's any tips or tricks to checking on whether the timing belt needs replacement soon? I'm so used to timing chains that I'm a bit off in the weeds here.

'97 DX, bone stock. 169k miles. Pretty clean inside and out, and drives quite well, no valvetrain noise, fuel trim problems, or any other vices I can ascertain.

 

A 1997 would be strictly an as-is deal. Someone traded it in, they would wash it and send it right back out. Timing belt is not complicated to DIY.

Valves can be too quiet. If the adjustment is too tight they can burn, requiring a major repair.

 

I figured. There's more fresh in this thing than there should be already for its age. I say dealer, it was just a little used car lot, whose owner basically gets a guy he knows in the neighborhood to do some refurb work for him. It's clean enough that I believe the PO was already fairly conscientious but you don't gamble on timing belts. Just hoping there was some sort of spec or measurement to look at and possibly give me the edge on that gamble.

 

Every 90k miles or 7 years. 170k is at replacment mark ..so very doubtful second scheduled timing belt has been done.
If OEM parts seem to expensive then quality Japanese made parts kit can be found on Ebay, Amazon, **** Auto. Look for names like:
Aisin: waterpump
Bando: timing belt
Koyo: tensioner
Bando: a/c, p/s and alternator belts.

Happy wrenching.

 

Just pull the top timing belt cover and check the belt. Look at the teeth for wear and/cracking. If you're really worried, change it.

 

You never see posts saying "hey my Napa timing belt broke" on here. Makes me wonder about the Japanese parts being any better.

 

Blah. Lol. I'll pull back the upper cover and turn the engine by hand, see what I see. That's if it is able to be pulled back...

I looked at the Honda (official, corporate) website and it called for 105k on timing belt intervals?

 

Did the Honda website tell you it's an interference engine and if the timing belt snaps it could bend intake and/or exhaust valves?

 

It did not, just what the factory service intervals were. But I had such a giant PITA situation given my 200 mile round trip commute that non-interference timing belt failure is still potentially a real kink in my life and livelihood.

 

For 4-6 hours of work and for under $200 if it were my ride I'd slap a timing belt kit on it within the next month and know rather than guess.

 

I was afraid of that, but I kinda agree. Guess there's no real shortcut here.

 

You could call your local Honda dealership's service department and see if they will reseach (via VIN number) dealerships maintenence records. Not sure if they will entertain your request or not sicnce you're not the original owner but, it's worth a try.

 

Actually, that's a thought. What appears to be the original dealer's badge is still on the trunk: depending on how my day goes tomorrow I might call them up. Thanks!

 

Napa timing belts are made by Gates/Unitta which is who made a lot of the OEM Honda timing belts, no surprise that you don't hear too many people talk about failure of Napa timing belts. The water pump is the really big thing to buy OEM. I've seen a lot of aftermarket water pumps start leaking 6 months later. The OEM pump on the other hand is usually good for 2 timing belt replacements. Yamada made all of the OEM pumps for these cars from what I remember although Kehin used to make some of Honda's water pumps. Aisin has made water pumps for Honda but not for this engine.

That doesn't work. I've seen timing belts on those engines break and look absolutely fine other than where they failed.

 

Definitely needing to check the timing belt on mine, so is there no way to really check it and know for sure? I found a sticker in my glovebox on my car I bought recently but didn't say when it was done I'm at 186k so I'd rather not take a chance

 

Agreed. Genuine Honda water pumps are the only ones I use. Just as long as the mounting area is cleaned off and all the bolts are used, it should not leak whatsoever. As for timing belts, I have used Goodyear and GH belts with no issues. Just don't cheap out and get some crappy Advance Auto ones. A friend of friend did this on his EG hatch and the timing belt literally stretch after install.



If in doubt, replace it. I've seen some timing belts with well over 150K miles on it, that look better than those with 75K. Hard to tell unless the work was documented.

 

I tell customers that I can tell if a belt is 7 years old or 7 days old, but pretty much nothing in between.