Originally posted by: HokieESM
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
any idea how much it should cost? i've been told around 300? the water pump or whatever should be changed along with the belt???
btw, how easy is it to change anyways? its outa my hands now, but maybe for next time.......
$300 is a good bet. The "water pump" should also be changed... although i use that term loosely since its really just the drive pulley for the water pump (the guts of which are actually located in the block). Changing the serpentine belt while you're in there is a good move as well.
How easy is it to change? That's relative. Its relatively easy--requiring no special tools--but the reason that its $300 is that its typically billed as a 3 hour job for a mechanic. If you do it at home, it will probably take you 2.5... plus getting ready.... plus cleaning up. So it comes down to: what's worth more, your money, or your sunny Saturday afternoon? I've changed the one on my Civic... but I told my sister to take hers some place to get it changed. As with all car repairs, take it to a good dealer or a reputable third-party mechanic--a shady place might have a better price--but with a Honda interference-engine, you don't want to snap your timing belt.
Good luck.