Dworsky

I inherited my mother's 1996 Honda Accord EX five years ago.

It currently has 27,700 miles, and I only drive 2000 miles a year.

A repair shop that specializes in Hondas suggested that I have the timing belt changed (for $680, including water pump, seals, gaskets, etc.).

What do you think? Better safe than sorry, or no need to worry yet? Price?

Thanks.

Misa

10 years...imo i would get it done.

the dealer charges around the same price... you may want to check your local dealer

totalimmortal

Thats REALLY high for a independent shop. I paid $424 to have a Honda Tech do my timing, balancer, water pump, drive belts, and seals.

Jon02Accord

i just dropped my 02 (96K mi) accord off yesterday to have the job done at the dealer and picked it up today. $551.91 when it was all said and done for the timing belt, balancer belt, 2 drive belts, water pump and new coolant.

hondatech

Really depends on the market you live in. Price seems a little high but they may be charging to replace cam, crank and bal shaft seals which most dealers charge extra for.

He was only asking if changing the belt is required at this time anyway not a survey on what everyone else did. To answer your question yes you should change it. The mileage and age is what determines when to change the belt not just mileage alone. Clearly 10 years is over the age limit. Rubber doesn't last forever.

hondatech

Not only that but some independants can charge less because they use non OEM parts which are cheaper and aren't as good of quality. $424 sounds great until that autozone belt breaks and bends every valve in your engine.

ledebuhr1

I paid $345 for Timiing and Balancer belt to be replaced on my 02 EX. Honda does not have a timing change interval that they recomend for the other belts. My local dealer said they very rarly have a Honda that has a broken belt. He said the belts seem to last a very long time.

Dworsky

Thanks for your comments, and particularly to Hondatech who noticed that my primary question was whether I should do this repair on a car with 27,000 miles.

I appreciate your input (and also the comparison prices).

I am in Boston, and have gotten three prices now, all from independent repair people:

1. $680
2. $650 to $750
3. $623

Seems like a pattern!

hondatech

Have you tried a dealer yet? Most dealers try to be competative with the independents in the area to avoid losing the business. I wouldn't want somebody who can't hack it at a dealership touching my car. Not only that but they can't even touch our training or our up to date factory support. Dealers tend to be more but it's usually for a reason.

To comment on what ledebuhr1 said, I see broken tbelts all the time. Maybe that dealer isn't as big and don't see as much volume, i don't know.
At 345 I would think he got no waterpump replacement or seals but I don't know

sibiryk

I think that you don't have to replace a water pump.
Also, I know a guy who has 200k on his Accord 1996 and he didn't change a timing belt yet. The car still runnig.