Okay, I'm new here.

I drive a 2000 Honda Accord EX V-6 Automatic. This is my first Honda. I bought it because of everyone says they are the best cars ever. So far, I haven't been disappointed.

However, I bought the car with 82,000 miles. The local dealer suggested that the timing belt was probably already taken care of by the previous owner, though I seriously doubt that. Is there a way to know for sure? Right now I have 89,000 miles and this little yellow light comes on suggesting "maintenance"... and I'm assuming it's talking about the belt. Right?

My wife does not believe that the belt has to be changed at exactly 90,000 miles. She drives a 1993 VW Fox that has a billion and one miles on it, and we've never done any major maintenance on it. She's been commuting with it 60 miles a day for the past 5 years without a hitch.

So do I need to change that belt right at 90,000? Will the engine be destroyed if I don't? And how much more stuff will the mechanics find wrong with it once they go in to change that belt?

(we're broke... this is why I ask)

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

Well you made a great decision in getting a honda . As far as the timing belt, the only sure fire way I know of, is if the dealership had a record of it being changed. Normally you should get the belt and everything else taken car of at around 100k, there's really not an exact time though. It depends how the car has been treated, I've seen accords with 150k on the origional toming belt before being changed. Its rather risky to wait that long though, if your belt breaks it can cause very serious damage to the engine. You're fine for now though.

The yellow light you refer to, is it "Check Engine" or "Maintanance soon" if its the second one, it comes on every few thousands miles to remind you to get an oil change, and you can reset that yourself.

Being as you have a V-6 Auto, I would recommend you get the tranny fluid changed by the Honda dealership when they do your timing belt.

BTW: Welcome to HAN

 

Thanks for the reassurance. It does indeed need an oil change.

Here I am sitting at 89950 and I'm scared to drive it because of that magic 90,000 miles. I figure since that's what the manufacturer recommends, they are taking NO CHANCES, and that I can probably go quite a bit farther without worrying about it. But I'm such a freak when it comes to warnings and such.

Thanks for the quick response!

 

the suggested interval for the timing belt IS 90k miles, but that doesn't mean it's going to snap right at 90k. Yeah engine damage can occur, just like with almost any honda, depending on the circumstances. I think the dealer will cut you a break if you do the 90k service and have the timing belt done. It depends on the dealer though.

 

right when I got my car first thing I did was change the belt cus thats the thing that I always wonder about.. so now I'm set and don't need to stress over that situation your in.. maybe if by just looking at the belt does it look like it's warn out? 90k is quite a few miles on 1 belt might wanna think about a new one. IMO welcome to HAN I love this site h: :wavey:

 

you are fine at 90,000miles but as soon as you hit 90,001 your car will self destruct if there is no maintenance done Since it is a used car that you bought from a stranger I assume, I would go ahead and either change the belt or inspect it. It should be really easy to get to the point where you can see your belt. I believe there are only to screws on the plastic cover on the very right of the engine (looking at the engine from front of car, drivers side). Your belt is under that cover. Look at the teeth and see if they are in good shape and fill the knotches on the wheel completely.

 

should b change already but if it hasnt i would go do it asap, i did mines at 70k just because i was afraid it was going to brake at 80mph n the middle of nowhere