Is there any way to look at the timing belt and determine if it is in need of a change? I got the car around 90,000 miles so I'm not sure if it was ever changed. I read in another post that there is no way of telling when a timing belt is going to give, it just does without warning. Is this true? Thanks

 

yes you can tell if the belt is worn it is just like any other belt.........better hope it dosent break on you .......u should have a cover you can pry off with a screwdriver. It should be a plastic cover. Is it a SOHC or DOHC?

______________
91 accord dx
DAC intake
N1 exhaust

 

you CAN examine and look for cracks or a missing Tooth in the belt..
BUT just because it may look like new when you inspect...doesn't mean it won't break the next day

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AcCoRdInGtO_91 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">....u should have a cover you can pry off with a screwdriver.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Uhhhh, or you can take the valve cover bolts and timing belt cover bolts off. Then lift up the timing belt side of the valve cover and pull the timing belt cover off.

It'll make sense when you're looking at it.

BTW: What year, trim, engine??

 

ok thanks. It's a 94' Lx SOHC non-v-tec. I really don't feel like doing a timing belt but if the shop does it, it'll cost me like $700-$800. Thanks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by omeara7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if the shop does it, it'll cost me like $700-$800.</TD></TR></TABLE>

HHAAAAAAAAAH!!!

Good god man, find yourself another shop.

Shops around here have done new timing belt/waterpump for like $400.

 

HA yea I thought that was a little steep but it's a Honda dealership/shop. $400 is even a hell of a molly-whopping so I'm gonna just try to do it myself. I just recently got air tools so it shouldn't be too difficult, but it always is.

 

can a 90k timing belt look like new? I got my car at 80 and took the cover off at 90k and it look not that far off from a new one. I forgot to ask the previous owner if he changed his belt.

 

That's my question. I read somewhere that if the timing belt looks old, it's about to snap at any moment and it should be changed immediately. I'm at 104,000 miles and I'm doubting it was ever changed so I'm getting pretty worried about it.

 

if ur not sure, i suggest replace it anyway. Do find another shop though cuz 700-800 is not even the dealer's price! 300-400 is good

 

ok thanks. I'm gonna try it myself and I know it's gonna be difficult but it's got to be done.

 

Doing it yourself is not that bad. Haynes manual's usually have pretty detailed and easy to follow instructions. Just make sure that you give yourself plenty of room to work.
I would suggest lowering the motor any way possible. I have even dropped the crossmember and suspension components just to get the motor to come down a little further.

By the way. I have had timing belts last over 150,000 miles, and I have had them break with less than 50,000 miles. The latter happened because one of the shaft seals was bad, and it soaked the belt.
Make sure you buy a good quality belt, not the cheap stuff. OE is obviously the best, but I also like Gates belts. Gates even makes a complete kit with both belts, idler and all.

Mike

 

oh really? Thanks for the tips. I'm gonna change it this weekend probably.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by omeara7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ok thanks. I'm gonna try it myself and I know it's gonna be difficult but it's got to be done.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Go for it dude, the knowledge after doing it yourself is priceless. One word of advice if you get in a jam the dealorship is your friend. I must have called them half a dozen times when changing mine. Also if you don't already have one get a manual, can't stress that enough!!!

Not sure on the '92 but my 96 EX has a place to screw a bolt in and hold the tensioner back. Don't do what I did. I spent hours pulling my hair out looking for this bolt thinking I had lost it, come to find out there was never a bolt there in the first place...DOH!!!

Also the timing belt cover is a biatch! The Haynes says to remove/install from the bottom but I think its easier to go from the top. You gotto remove the entire engine mount assembly however.

 

Replace the balance shaft belt too while you're at it (if it has one)! Trust me on that one, I've had to replace valves before due to busted balance shaft belts.

Also fellas help me out here. I remember reading a bulletin somewhere about how the balance shaft seal could pop out on the older accords. Seems to me Honda had a recal and put a little cover over it. Might check and make sure its got that cover.

 

ok thanks for the input. Wish me luck, I've never done a timing belt before although I have done a fair amount of other tasks. I shouldn't be completely lost.

 

Gates make some Honda OEM belts. They're one of the best brands for belts. And 700-800 is an average price for timing belt, seals, and water pump change at the dealers around here. They'll charge about $300 in parts and about $400-500 for labor. Remember that dealer labor rates are anywhere from $80-120 an hour and they ask you to leave the car for the whole day for these major jobs.

 

yea its a wallet-raping, which is why I'm gonna do it myself.

 

make sure everything is at TDC before taking it apart and double check everything to ensure they are TDC while putting them back together with all the markings. Good luck.

 

Yea I'll make sure it's all TDC-I'm gonna use my haynes manual and a website that has step by step.


Modified by omeara7 at 8:35 AM 6/29/2004

 

how do you know TDC?

 

good luck........i had a really hard time changing mine

 

I bought the car with 80 some thousand miles on it so I'm assuming it hasn't been changed yet but it might have recently been changed. I need to know if it is in need of change before I spend money and time on it. Is there a substantial difference between a new belt and an old one?