Im wondering if me and my buddy (whos an apprentice mechanic) should attempt to replace the T belt on my 98 accord. We have been told that changing T Belts on VTEC Honda's is pretty hard and has to be done precisely.

Since search is disabled, i'm wondering how hard it is to screw this up, and if I should just pay the dealer to do it.

Anyone know the procedure (or a link to it) to take the T belt off, and how hard it is.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

 

It's a shame archive searching is disabled right now, there are some really good posts on this.

First off, the crank pully bolt can be incredibly difficult to remove. It pretty much needs a special tool to get it off.

It's probably the hardest maintenance to do. If you attempt it, definitely get a manual first and decide if you want to try it.

Here's one link on the subject.
http://www.cybertrails.com/~puf/Hond...meBalNote.html

No matter if you get yourself or the dealer, do the belts, all seals in the area, tensioners, and the water pump.

 

If you have the Helms, can follow directions, and are pretty good mechanically, it's not too bad. It would be easy to make a mistake if you are not detail oriented though.

If your buddy is an apprentice mechanic you should be fine. I'm not so sure what is more difficult about VTEC motors, but it's a lot easier than a DOHC motor.

If you don't have it, buy the Helms, I wouldn't reccomend doing it without one. even at $70 shipped, it will pay for itself when you do the TB.

there is a good how-2 site out there somewhere but I can't find it.

 

hey be careful man. i let a friend who owns a shop change my timing belt with the motor out of the car, and the hydrolic tensioner went out cause of some sort of pin that is supposed to be pushed out. anyways, it cost me a new timing belt, hydro tensioner, the other small belt( counter shaft i think), and $200 to antoher friend who was a nissan tech. if you gonna be **** about something, be **** about the directions in the helms manual

 

Thanks for all the help fellas, much appreciated

 

I'll do just about anything on a car, but that's one thing I don't like to do on Honda's. Being **** retentive helps, but timing belts are the only time I let anyone else work on my car for.