I'm planning to change my timing belt within the next few days and I'm just curious if anyone else have tried any other aftermarket brand besides the one from the dealer. I'm told even the aftermarket ones are as accurate as the factory ones--is this correct? Just the quality, maybe strength-wise is not as good. But I just want to make sure it'll do the job that's all. I had bought one from PepBoys for like 64 bucks and debating whether to install it or get another one from the dealer. I just need some reassurements that maybe this belt I already have will work the same as the factory one I guess. Any comment will be appreciated, thanks.

 

well when it comes to timing belts, master cylinders and important stuff I always go factory parts. Dont have to worry about it. Make sure u get a water pump and belt tensioner while ur at it.

 

So my pepboys belt is not good enough? Also, I only need to replace the water pump and belt tensioner if it's messed up right? Thanks for any reply.

 

if it aint broke - dont fix it...

 

It depends how many miles are on the water pump. If there are more than 65k I would do it anyway. Its easier since the pump is right where you will be working and its a pain to have to take everything apart again later on. Do everything in one shot and don't worry about it later

 

go factory with the t belt and water pump.

 

I can't really return my timing belt since I've bought it 5-6 months ago and lost the receipt; I'm gonna have to use it unless I can sell it which I truly doubt. Especially when everyone wants the factory t-belt anyway. The factory water pump is like another 50 bucks that I don't have. I'll just change it later when it goes bad I guess. But does anyone know how to inspect the water pump to see if it's bad?

 

to take it off and inspect for wear/damage, it has 5 bolts i think,

but you WILL need a new seal when re-fitting hte pump.

dont forget the Hondabond!

t..

 

Thanks tinkerbell.......I hope I can get that damn crankshaft bolt off this time-- I bought a 200 impact gun just for that one bolt.

 

You dont need hondabond on the waterpump. If you replace the 2 dollar gasket/oring then you surely dont need hondabond.

 

Go with Factory timing belt water pump tensioner etc...

 

I had a non-OEM water pump self-destruct and take out a non-OEM timing belt at 27,000 miles on my '89 Si. No damage to the engine (whew!) but nothing but OEM for critical parts from now on!

 

i replaced my water pump with a QH non genuine one, i compared the old genuine one with the new one and they're exactly the same, the QH one was made in japan and i wouldnt be surprised if they make pumps for honda. But i always use a genuine timing belt, even though i've been told bosch belts are as good if not better than genuine, plus the OE belt was only $10 dearer than the bosch one

 

But I already have the pep boys one and I think it's that bosch belt anyways, so it should be as good as the oem one right? I'm thinking about just getting an oem wp to go with this non oem belt. But u guys are kinda scaring me about these non oem belts snapping and stuff. I'd really like to get a factory belt, but then I would have to just throw this one away?

 

i got mine from autozone and its a goodyear type. i researched it and all sources say as good or better than stock!

Is it absolutely necessary to replace the tensioner at a certain mileage? I hear different things about that. i didn't replace mine on my rebuild. Has 77K miles on the original engine. tensioner seems to still be ok.

what are signs of age on them?