Timing belt question (Honda Civic)?

The timing belt is used to regulate the timing of the motor. It is what ensures that the inner workings of the motor are all synchronized properly. Your motor will not run if it breaks. In fact, because the motor style in called an "Interference engine," if it breaks while the vehicle is running it will most likey cause the valves to get squished.

I can't seem to locale my Honda Manuals at present, but the cost you've been quoted sounds pretty high.

A new timing belt is about $30.00

A new water pump is about $50.00

That means the mechanic would be charging you for roughly 14 hours of labor. Unless you live in the boonies and hes the only mechanic for 100 miles I would definitely call around and get a number of different quotes. Doing both at the same time should be no more than a 5 to 8 hour effort.

This sort of stuff falls under the category of Preventative Maintenance. Timing belts and water pumps generally have a life of roughtly 100,000 miles (depending on car make, always refer to your service intervals in your owner's manual). Fixing them *before* they break greatly extends the life and usability of your vehicle. If neither has ever been replaced, then I would highly recommend replacing the.

The owner's manual that came with the car will tell you everything you need to maintain it. Honda engineering has already come up with the proper interval for their belts and since Honda's last so darn long doesn't it make sense to use Honda parts? People suggest changing the water pump when changing the timing belt but don't make the mistake of saving money with someone else's parts even if they are lifetime warranted. It is hard to imagine a water pump lasting 200,000 miles so the change is warranted but it will add to your cost. A reputable dealer may be the best answer for getting it done right but a reputable repair shop that will install Honda parts would be cheaper and acceptable as well. Finding such a shop will be the trick as even dealerships can be bad. A good thing about a Honda dealership is that the work would be warranted across the nation at ANY Honda dealership. Good luck!

The timing belt was due to be changed at 105,000 or certainly after 10 years whatever the mileage. Pretend your going to Las Vegas to gamble and you have two options when you place your bet. Since the car has no blue book value except to you, you could bet that the timing belt won't break before the transmission wears out, thereby saving you $1,000 (with compounded bank interest in the mean time). When the transmission fails, you simply junk the car. Automatic transmissions don't last longer than 150,000 miles on average. Engines may go 200,000 plus miles with good maintenance. Standard transmission clutches need to be replaced too. My advice is to save for a new car, and roll the dice and hope the belt doesn't break, unless you really want to keep this as some sort of "antique" collector car forever.

First, the $1,000 qoute to replace the timing belt and water pump is TWICE what you should have to pay. Call around and compare estimates. It doesn't have to go back to the Honda dealership for this routine repair. The timing belt drives the camshaft and if the belt breaks while driving, valve/piston damage could occur. It's concealed inside the engine, so you can't just open the hood and see it. But if you're not the original owner check the vin# for previous repairs through dealers or elsewhere.

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Per page 196 of the owner's manual you should replace the timing belt every 110,000 miles or every 7 years whichever comes first. Honda dealers get $600 to $700 for this service. You can usually find an independent mechanic to do it for half that including a new water pump at the same time. I know someone in NE PA that gets $350. However, on page 233 of the owner's manual it says: Replace this belt at 60,000 miles (US) or 100,000 km (Canada) if you regularly drive your car in one or more of these conditions: In very high temperatures (over 110 degrees F,43 degrees C). In very low temperatures (under -20°F, -29°C).

The timing belt controls the the cam (which operates the exhaust and intake valves on the engine). If the belt brakes, it can (but not necessarily will) cause internal engine damage. BTW, I usually do all my automotive work myself, but when my wife's Civic's water pump failed, she found our local repair shop would change the water pump and timing belt for $500; so we let them do it. You have to take the water pump off to get to the timing belt, so if you need one, you might as well replace the other. As for should you replace the belt just because of the mileage, if you want to keep the car and you can afford the repair, sure. I would expect the belt to need replacement before 150,000 miles anyway.

The timing belt keeps the valves in time with movement of the piston. If the belt should break, the valves are likely to come in contact with the piston, causing valve train damage. $1000 seems a little steep, i do them at my shop for about $500. That includes belts, timing belt, waterpump, seals and coolant.

with that many miles, i would definately change it. its probably has heat cracks in it. a timing belt act just like a timing chain, it keep your motor in time. when the crank comes around to the right firing degrees the correct piston comes up on compression and fires the plug. it is very important part of the running of your engine. if it breaks, you will be stopped for a long time and it doesnt give you any warning its going to break either. if i were you, i would get it changed as soon as possible, then you know its goo.