Timing Belt Replacement

**Cyclone90** · 06-05-2009, 02:23 PM

My service manual says I need to replace my timing belt at 7 years or 105,00 miles, whichever comes first. The car is 7.5 years old, but I'm 30K away from the distance criteria. Do I need to get this replaced, or do I still have some time? Which is more important, distance, time, both?

**Cyclonick182** · 06-05-2009, 02:25 PM

Thats something you shouldn't gamble with, if its been that amount of time, bite the bullet and have it done.

**egami** · 06-05-2009, 02:27 PM

You'd have to have someone look at it first hand to answer that for certain, but I can tell you this...it's wiser to get it done before it breaks. In fact, you can get that and all the belts replaced for a heck of a lot cheaper than what it'll be if that thing breaks on its own.

**egami** · 06-05-2009, 02:28 PM

Another thing i'd do, especially if it's never been done on that vehicle, is get the transmission fluid changed.

**Cyclone90** · 06-05-2009, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by egami

Another thing i'd do, especially if it's never been done on that vehicle, is get the transmission fluid changed.

Thanks. Ya, I've done that. Always thought about service schedules more in terms of distance rather than time.

**egami** · 06-05-2009, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclone90

Thanks. Ya, I've done that. Always thought about service schedules more in terms of distance rather than time.

Same here.

**Cyclonesrule91** · 06-05-2009, 02:35 PM

What do you have for a car? Ya some damage can be done if the timing belt goes but there are a lot of service recommendations in those manuals that you an pretty much ignore.

**Cyclonesrule91** · 06-05-2009, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclone90

Thanks. Ya, I've done that. Always thought about service schedules more in terms of distance rather than time.

Depends on the conditions you drive in, how aggressive of a driver you are and how much attention to service of the vehicle you are. I would guess that you finding the timing belt replacement advice in your book, I would guess you to be the type of driver who can go a lot farther then what the book says because you keep your vehicle in great condition.

**djcubby** · 06-05-2009, 02:42 PM

A lot of cars have what are called intrusive engines which means that valves moves down as the piston is moving out of the way, if the timing gets messed up (if the belt breaks) the piston will slam into the valve and cause major problems.

**Cyclone90** · 06-05-2009, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonesrule91

What do you have for a car? Ya some damage can be done if the timing belt goes but there are a lot of service recommendations in those manuals that you an pretty much ignore.

It's a 2002 Honda Accord. Actually I think the manufacturer recommendations are reasonable. It's the dealer's recommendations that you can ignore most of the time. All the manual suggests is..

Oil every 7,500
Oil filer ever 15,000
Air filter every 30,000
Transmission fluid every 6 years or at 120,000
Rotate tires every 7,500
Brake Fluid every 3 years
Sparks plugs and timing belt at 105,000 or 7 years

**egami** · 06-05-2009, 02:45 PM

Those are all very reasonable. Although, I always change filter with oil anyway.

**Cyclonesrule91** · 06-05-2009, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by djcubby

A lot of cars have what are called intrusive engines which means that valves moves down as the piston is moving out of the way, if the timing gets messed up (if the belt breaks) the piston will slam into the valve and cause major problems.

Ya, you are right but those engines are more the performance type of engines aren't they? High compression types that is.

Most engines I don't think are built to those tolerances. And even if they are, it has a lot more to do with how it is driven then the timeframe and mileage.

When I was just out of college, I had a 87 Olds Cutlass Sierra with a 4 cylinder engine that had all the power of a turbocharged hair dryer. I was taking the girlfriend up the Minneapolis and the timing belt came off that engine. Then I find out that timing gears in quite a few of them cars are made of pressed paper(not joking) and the cogs finally came off. In the case of that engine, the engine just quit and not damage was done. If it does happen, you will not get your engine running.

**besserheimerphat** · 06-05-2009, 03:09 PM

Rubber oxidizes, gets brittle and breaks over time with exposure to temperature extremes, UV light and oxygen. Even if the car sat for 7 years without running, the belts are breaking down. I'd change it.

**djcubby** · 06-05-2009, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonesrule91

Ya, you are right but those engines are more the performance type of engines aren't they? High compression types that is.

Sorry, they are known as interference engines. I know that Honda and Toyota have been using them for years and the Accord is one of them. I was trying to find a list of interference engines online, but can't seem to find a good one.

**Cyclonesrule91** · 06-05-2009, 03:10 PM

I checked a couple sites and it sounds like the engine will just stall instead of messing up pistons valves, heads etc. It sounds like you should get the water pump replaced while your in there and if you have a certified mechanic doing it it costs range from $400- $800 to get it done.

I also found some info about there being a recall that has something to do with the belt tensioner on the timing belt. Maybe you get lucky and Honda replaces it for you or at least at a lower price.

2002 Honda Accord Recalls, Problems, & 2002 Honda Accord Recall Details

It is about half way down the page after the exterior lighting recalls.

Good luck