Timing belt ... is it ok to go a few thousand miles over the recommended replacement?

[raildogg]

I just had my SRS and brake lights fixed today and now they say that I should get my timing belt done. It's around $600. They also said get the spark plug. It is a 2001 Honda Accord EX V-6 with 105,800 miles on it.

What would you do?

LOL wtf who added the pole?

 

[blackangst1]

Here's the thing about timing belts. It could go another 30k or another 3. You dont know. But this you can count on: If it fails....new motor. IMHO it's not something to slack on.

 

[iamaelephant]

Should be okay, manufacturers build a huge safety margin into their timing belt schedules. I've seen cars do 100,000km+ on the original, although I do not recommend that.

 

[OutHouse]

i put 250K miles on my geo metro and never changed the timing belt.

 

[radioouman]

You only have one spark plug?

 

[raildogg]

It is a 2001 Honda Accord EX V-6 with 105,800 miles on it. They said that the timing belt should be changed at 105,000 miles. They also said something about the spark plugs.

As you can tell, I'm a complete car amateur.

 

[chuckywang]

Some cars have a non-interference head such that if the timing belt does break, then the rest of the motor doesn't get damaged. Not sure about the Accord.

 

[thedarkwolf]

You only end up with needing a new motor if the engine is an interference engine. If its a non-interference engine then you just end up stuck by the side of the road needing a tow.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: blackangst1
Here's the thing about timing belts. It could go another 30k or another 3. You dont know. But this you can count on: If it fails....new motor. IMHO it's not something to slack on.

Depends on whether or not it's a non-interference motor, I do believe.

 

[raildogg]

The guy did say that I will end up needing a new engine if it fails. I think I will go ahead and get this done in 2 weeks.

Do you think it will hold up that long? (a bit nervous)

 

[Captante]

You are fine going a bit over the 60k milage for the timing belt change, but only put it off long until you have the cash to pay for it because if it does fail, the best-case scenario is a valve-job which will cost a LOT more!

Btw, $600 seems like a very high price for a time belt replacement... even my old Volvo 850GLT cost a bit less then that & Volvo's are one of the more expensive cars to get jobs like that done on.

 

[DougK62]

An interference engine doesn't automatically mean that you need a new engine when the belt breaks. My Volvo had the timing belt break and I only had to replace a few valves.

 

[kingtas]

I had an old Olds with a timing belt finally gave out and it did damage to the motor.

BUT - I knew it was coming long before it broke. The car would jerk like someone was driving a clutch poorly when I was cruising down the road.

 

[raildogg]

Well, this is at the Honda dealership so I am sure they would charge a bit more than the other guys. Should I take it somewhere else or can only the Honda dealership do this?

If it takes $600 to ensure that I have a reliable car that will last a while, then I will have to spend it. Sigh.

 

[Maxspeed996]

Originally posted by: blackangst1
Here's the thing about timing belts. It could go another 30k or another 3. You dont know. But this you can count on: If it fails....new motor. IMHO it's not something to slack on.

This is all you need to know. Accept no substitutes , and get it replaced.

 

[blackangst1]

You mentioned it's a Honda...I've had 3, and 600 bones sounds right. My 99 Prelude was 650

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Some engines have valve to piston clearance and when the belt breaks no damage is done.
IIRC, Hondas DO NOT, so all the valves could get bent. This is NOT a good thing. Probably
much worse feeling than a box in the eye

Look for timing belt replacement to go on sale, that can save you 50%. Change out the water pump at the same time and refill with fresh coolent. I think Honda is like Toyota in that the WP is under the timing belt cover and driven off the back-side of the belt.

Be brave and change it out yourself. Just study the manual.


...Galvanized

 

[Vic]

The J30A1 engine in your Accord is an interference type. It will be damaged if the timing belt breaks. Recommended replacement interval is 105k miles. Get it done. Price sounds right.

 

[lokiju]

What poll?

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: radioouman
You only have one spark plug?

hahaha, i laughed

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Vic
The J30A1 engine in your Accord is an interference type. It will be damaged if the timing belt breaks. Recommended replacement interval is 105k miles. Get it done. Price sounds right.

Your complete answer OP, in case you missed it. :thumbsup:

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: radioouman
You only have one spark plug?

Why bring his personal life into this?

 

[FoBoT]

i have a 1990 mazda. supposed to replace timing belt at 60,000 miles. i replaced it at about 85,000 miles, the original was almost like the new one. i haven't changed it since and am now at 198,800 miles. your experience may vary, so if your engine explodes, don't blame me

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: DougK62
An interference engine doesn't automatically mean that you need a new engine when the belt breaks. My Volvo had the timing belt break and I only had to replace a few valves.

It's still a lot cheaper to replace the timing belt according to the manufacturers recommendation.

If the mechanic said it will damage the engine if the belt breaks then I'd get it done as soon as possible. Chances are you'd be fine for a while but you never know. It would suck to have it break because you put it off and then get stuck with a huge repair bill.

 

[CptObvious]

I have a 98 Accord, had the timing belt changed at 105K miles. The price you quoted was about how much I paid...I had it done at a Honda dealership also.