Record mileage without timing belt change?
Registered Honda user
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 675
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From: Texas
Just because the belt looks good, doesn't mean it's in good shape. By the time you see that a problem has developed, it's already been failing (but for how long?). Engineers factor in a margin of safety when quoting "90k miles", for those who aren't persnickety with maintenance. Who knows how far it'll go? Replacing the water pump is part of a timing belt job, so that plays a factor too.
Margin of safety=more owners giving props for Honda reliability
180k though
My '04 Accord has a timing chain instead of belt. I'm curious to see how they hold up. There's no scheduled interval for replacement of them.
Margin of safety=more owners giving props for Honda reliability
180k though
My '04 Accord has a timing chain instead of belt. I'm curious to see how they hold up. There's no scheduled interval for replacement of them.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 37,274
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From: Southern NH
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.
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.
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
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Well, My 95 Honda Accord EX, 241,000 miles on the original belt!!!!!!!
It broke the belt on the highway. The dealer has replaced the belt and seals and I am now replacing the bent valves myself. The Accord is an amazing car.
I also get 31mpg.
It broke the belt on the highway. The dealer has replaced the belt and seals and I am now replacing the bent valves myself. The Accord is an amazing car.
I also get 31mpg.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 59
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From: The Northshore, IL
Age or Mileage
One thing I am confused about is do you go buy mileage or age of the belt? I have a 2002, and it was manufactured in January of 2002,even though I bought in August of 2002. I have 57,000 miles on it. According to the severe maintenance schedule, it says to change it every 60k or 7 years, normal maintenace is 90k. However, I have read conflicting recommendations. Some say to go strictly by mileage,others by age. Any thoughts?
v-card member alpha
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,010
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From: Assplosion, NE
It's whichever comes first, years or miles. However, unless the car has sat un-driven for long periods, or has been raced, I'd personally go by the mileage - within reason. At about 10yrs. though, even if you hadn't quite made it to the mileage, I'd replace it. By then you'd be wise to be changing the water pump anyway.
Geese!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 453
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From: Plainfleld
i'm going to go on a whim and say mine has never been done in my '91. Its at 248,xxx and judging by how its condition was when i bought it, i doubt the owners ever did any maintenence. Didn't even have oil first day i drove it. (noticed the flashing oil light 3 mins into the drive, got oil quick after that).
Hell it still has the original rotors in the front. I'll take pics when i change them. They are horrible. Car shakes bad, so many grooves its rediculous. I don't really drive the accord that much right now though because i believe i am on borrowed time. The belt is coming soon though, like at least in a month cause everytime i start it, even just to warm it up or to test something i always think thats the moment it finally goes.
Hell it still has the original rotors in the front. I'll take pics when i change them. They are horrible. Car shakes bad, so many grooves its rediculous. I don't really drive the accord that much right now though because i believe i am on borrowed time. The belt is coming soon though, like at least in a month cause everytime i start it, even just to warm it up or to test something i always think thats the moment it finally goes.
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 69
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you can usually tell if the belt has been changed because the engine mount on the right, when looking at the engine, will still have paint on the bolts. I've snaped a belt on my crx at 120 miles. changed the belt twiceon my 92 integra at 100k and it still looked good. my friend snaped a belt on a 95 civic at 150k miles.
no bent valves in any of these incidents.
Never heard of the age thing. I say i would go by how many miles the car has.
you guys are making me paranoid now, cuz im about to buy a used 01 accord has 40k miles but the last owner barely drove it. i'm wondering if i should change it at 80k..
I say if the car has been used regularly, your safe till 100k.. But if you like to drive hard change it out sooner. like 80k.
no bent valves in any of these incidents.
Never heard of the age thing. I say i would go by how many miles the car has.
you guys are making me paranoid now, cuz im about to buy a used 01 accord has 40k miles but the last owner barely drove it. i'm wondering if i should change it at 80k..
I say if the car has been used regularly, your safe till 100k.. But if you like to drive hard change it out sooner. like 80k.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3
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From: MA,
my 96 accord ex is at 105k and i bought it at 98k, i have no idea if the timing belt was ever changed. sucks, but ill get it done. i just pulled a new code from pcm... P1359 CKP/TDC Sensor Circuit Malfunction. and the infamous P0171 Fuel System Too Lean (Bank 1).
any ideas?
any ideas?
