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Additional services to be done with timing belt change besides water pump?

I

Itchrelief

Golden Member
Apologies in advance, I am sure you see many variations of this question pop up every week or so, but my search skills are subpar.

The car is approaching time to start thinking about timing belt replacement, but has not been driven for extraordinarily high mileage ( ~57k miles).

I know the standard refrain is to change water pump at the same time.

However, are there other items that could/should be changed at the same time, such as belts or whatnot, and which ones specifically or just all of them?

Considering the mileage on the vehicle, is it even necessary to replace the additional items or could they be left until the next timing belt at approximately 120k (which would be well past 10 years, probably closer to 12-13 years, if driven at the same rate it has been so far)?

Considering that I am asking a computer forum for car advice, I am not going to be doing this work myself but will be having a mechanic perform them.

Thanks in advance for your input
 
I would replace the water pump.............

Edit: of course I would also be doing it myself and usually change it anytime I have the timing cover off. What is the cost difference (shouldn't be much)? Do you plan on keeping the car?

Hell I might not even change the belt depending on the answers......
 
Crank seal is something I usually change on a car when I am in there to do a timing chain. At least check it, or have it checked. If you have a crank sensor and the seal leaks it can destroy the senor.
 
You might want to change your accessory belts at the same time...it's just convenient.
at 57k, though, there really isn't anything that's due...even changing the timing belt that early is being proactive. My car's got 150k miles, and I JUST did the second timing belt change, first waterpump change, and first clutch change. Mind you, it's a model known for good reliability.
 
Originally posted by: RCN
Originally posted by: jagec
...even changing the timing belt that early is being proactive.
Click to expand...
true..............
Click to expand...


If it is not a zero-interference engine it could save him tons of money preventing a failure. I have had a timing belt go and the engine was not zero-interference and it dinked 3 exhaust valves......and I was idling when it broke.
 
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Originally posted by: RCN
Originally posted by: jagec
...even changing the timing belt that early is being proactive.
Click to expand...
true..............
Click to expand...


If it is not a zero-interference engine it could save him tons of money preventing a failure. I have had a timing belt go and the engine was not zero-interference and it dinked 3 exhaust valves......and I was idling when it broke.
Click to expand...

I've never owned an interference engine, so my advice on timing belts is biased. I replace at 80k. I'd probably replace on a looser schedule if it wasn't such a PITA to realign everything and change the belt after a break.

Yeah, on interference engines it pays to be conservative.
 
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Originally posted by: RCN
Originally posted by: jagec
...even changing the timing belt that early is being proactive.
Click to expand...
true..............
Click to expand...


If it is not a zero-interference engine it could save him tons of money preventing a failure. I have had a timing belt go and the engine was not zero-interference and it dinked 3 exhaust valves......and I was idling when it broke.
Click to expand...


Yes I know.......................but iirc the recommended service interval for the belt on his civic is 100k+ miles barring extreme conditions. But if he is going to do it anyway.........


and wtf is up with using belts on interference engines 😕 Hondas suck........
 
Originally posted by: RCN
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Originally posted by: RCN
Originally posted by: jagec
...even changing the timing belt that early is being proactive.
Click to expand...
true..............
Click to expand...


If it is not a zero-interference engine it could save him tons of money preventing a failure. I have had a timing belt go and the engine was not zero-interference and it dinked 3 exhaust valves......and I was idling when it broke.
Click to expand...


Yes I know.......................but iirc the recommended service interval for the belt on his civic is 100k+ miles barring extreme conditions. But if he is going to do it anyway.........


and wtf is up with using belts on interference engines 😕 Hondas suck........
Click to expand...

Mine was a first gen Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX with only about 75k on the ticker. A lot of newer engines are interference engines.....with belts. Doesn't make sense to me.

 
Originally posted by: Itchrelief
Apologies in advance, I am sure you see many variations of this question pop up every week or so, but my search skills are subpar.

The car is approaching time to start thinking about timing belt replacement, but has not been driven for extraordinarily high mileage ( ~57k miles).

I know the standard refrain is to change water pump at the same time.

However, are there other items that could/should be changed at the same time, such as belts or whatnot, and which ones specifically or just all of them?

Considering the mileage on the vehicle, is it even necessary to replace the additional items or could they be left until the next timing belt at approximately 120k (which would be well past 10 years, probably closer to 12-13 years, if driven at the same rate it has been so far)?

Considering that I am asking a computer forum for car advice, I am not going to be doing this work myself but will be having a mechanic perform them.

Thanks in advance for your input
Click to expand...

if you are bringing it to a mechanic i would hope he has a service manual for your car which should detail everything that is required as part of the 60k mile tuneup...
 
60k for me typically includes:

Timing Belt
Water Pump
Accessory Belt(s)
Spark Plugs
Spark Plug Wires
Oil & Filter
Coolant Flush
Trans Flush
 
At 60K, you should change all belts and hoses, drain and flush the cooling system, and replace the coolant, flush & bleed your brake fluid (every 2 yrs max) as well as the other things already mentioned. Parts are a lot cheaper if you replace them BEFORE something goes to hell, than to have to have it towed in, and something else repaird because you failed to do it as part of a good preventative maintenance schedule. BTW, brake fluid is hygroscopic...it absorbs water from the air, and not changing it can cause rust in your brake system, PLUS, water has a much lower boiling point than brake fluid, and if you are really using your brakes, can boil off, leaving you with no brakes in an emergency...Inexpensive to do, can save a HUGE repair bill...
 
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Originally posted by: RCN
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Originally posted by: RCN
Originally posted by: jagec
...even changing the timing belt that early is being proactive.
Click to expand...
true..............
Click to expand...


If it is not a zero-interference engine it could save him tons of money preventing a failure. I have had a timing belt go and the engine was not zero-interference and it dinked 3 exhaust valves......and I was idling when it broke.
Click to expand...


Yes I know.......................but iirc the recommended service interval for the belt on his civic is 100k+ miles barring extreme conditions. But if he is going to do it anyway.........


and wtf is up with using belts on interference engines 😕 Hondas suck........
Click to expand...

Mine was a first gen Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX with only about 75k on the ticker. A lot of newer engines are interference engines.....with belts. Doesn't make sense to me.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but that engine had a recall for timing belt issues.

<-- former 91 Eclipse GS Turbo owner
 
Last time I had my water pump replaced, I went to the zoo across the street while I was waiting and got an ice cream cone.

After a few hours, I came back to check on things and asked the mechanic if he found anything else wrong.

He said "It looks like you blew a seal!"

I wiped off my chin and said "No no no...that was just ice cream".


 
Ok, so seems so far that it seems that the main things are water pump, belts and hoses, brake fluid, and then you have regular 30k/2yr service items such as coolant and transmission fluid, spark plugs, etc. If I tell the guy "change the belts and hoses" or "change the accessory belts and hoses" he should know what I'm talking about right? I won't have to spell out every single belt and hose to him? (Thought about going PC and using him/her, but has anyone ever seen a female mechanic working in a shop? So far I haven't, but I don't get around that much.)

One guy mentioned the crankcase seal. I've never heard of this being replaced as part of regular maintenance. In fact, I've never even heard of it before 🙂. I am assuming it is a PITA and big $$ to replace unless you are a DIY type?

Thanks again

edit: Hmm, the manual states that I should ONLY use Honda DOT 3 fluid or the brake system may be damaged. Are they only stating this to cover their rears and sell more of their own brake fluid or is there truly some special sauce that is only in the Honda brake fluid? Also, the manual doesn't even list the capacity of brake fluid.

I'd only be changing the timing belt this year due to coming up on the recommended time, not mileage. Manual states recommended interval is 105K miles/7yrs for both normal and severe usage. End of this year would be 7 yrs for this vehicle.

However, it seems that it seems common to recommend 60k mile timing belt change intervals for severe usage now. Have timing belts gotten that much worse in 6 years? Do the newer model vehicles put more stress on the timing belt? Something else?
 
Originally posted by: RCN
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Originally posted by: RCN
Originally posted by: jagec
...even changing the timing belt that early is being proactive.
Click to expand...
true..............
Click to expand...


If it is not a zero-interference engine it could save him tons of money preventing a failure. I have had a timing belt go and the engine was not zero-interference and it dinked 3 exhaust valves......and I was idling when it broke.
Click to expand...


Yes I know.......................but iirc the recommended service interval for the belt on his civic is 100k+ miles barring extreme conditions. But if he is going to do it anyway.........


and wtf is up with using belts on interference engines 😕 Hondas suck........
Click to expand...
Aluminum expands and contracts too much for conventional chains to be practical in OHC engines. I do know that some companies do it, but most do not.

 
my 91 accord's water pump started leaking around 120K. when i had the timing belt done at 90K (the scheduled time), they didn't mention that the water pump could easily be replaced at the same time. blah! personally, if you are supposed to do the belt at 60K, I would wait on the pump. it will make it to 120 at least, probably. my dad's civic has 165K on the first pump.

this reminds me i really need to get my timing belt changed again! (13K overdue!)
 
Originally posted by: Itchrelief
One guy mentioned the crankcase seal. I've never heard of this being replaced as part of regular maintenance. In fact, I've never even heard of it before 🙂. I am assuming it is a PITA and big $$ to replace unless you are a DIY type?
Click to expand...

Here's the deal...

The timing belt runs the gears on the end of the crankshaft and camshaft. Behind these gears is a seal to keep oil from leaking out the shafts the cam and crank gear is mounted to.

It isn't "routine" to change the seals when you change the belt, but think about it....If the seals leak the timing belt will become contaminated and can fail.

As far as cost goes, the shop already has most everything torn down doing the belt, so changing the seals wouldn't run you much more.

Also consider replacing the timing belt tensioner. It has a bearing that is sealed and cannot be serviced. If that bearing goes the belt goes. Again there should be very little additional costs (besides parts) if you are doing the belt anyway.
 
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