Originally Posted by SpecialED
These are true and wise words, but . . .
I have changed timing belts on Integras with more than 100K miles on them, and the belts really, really still look totally fine.
No visible wear. No noticeable rounding of the tooth edges. No cracking along the edges of the teeth where it attached to the belt, even when you bend the belt back at 180 degrees. No fraying of the belt edge.
It's kinda frustrating actually, to feel like you're changing perfectly good parts out.
But as long as you're in there (and have broken that crank pulley loose!) might as well replace the water pump and probably the idler pulley too . . .
I had a friend who let a timing belt go on his early 90's Dodge Colt (Mitsubishi actually of course) go until 162K miles - then SNAP! Stranding him on the side of the road on the way to work. Apparently nothing bent and he just changed the belt and kept driving it.
BTW, most Civic timing belt snappages do NOT cause bent valves - not sure why. It seems to be a less-interference motor than Honda would lead you to believe. On Preludes and Accords, though, your chances of very expensive damage is much greater.
'Tis true. My buddy has a 1995 Civic DX and his timing belt snapped. Replaced the belt, no damage to the motor at all. :thinking:
I'm at 135,000 miles on my Vigor. Timing belt was replaced in Dec. of 2000 at 90,000 miles. I'll probably end up doing it in a year and a half again.