YACT: 1998 Honda Civic Timing Belt

[shopbruin]

to replace or not to replace?

i took the car in today to get an oil change. i asked if they could check the timing belt, and they said that they couldn't - they might as well replace it if they were going to go in and look at it. honda said it's about 750 dollars to 850 dollars to replace, including labor.

my car was bought in early 1998, and has 103k miles on it. the dealer said it should be replaced at 7.5 years or 105k miles, whichever comes first, so i'm overdue according to the dealer.

i said i'll wait a few months and come back. is my car going to explode anytime soon? i take it in fairly regularly for oil change, new spark plugs at 90k miles, and i try to keep it in shape. how difficult is it to change the belt? my dad's friend is a mechanic, but he's semi retired and does this work for us out of the garage of his house, but i'd also have to drive back to norcal for him to do it.

i obviously know nothing about cars, other than take it in for oil changes, and then ask my dad if the next bunch of service is needed.

 

[CrackRabbit]

broken timing belt = smashed valves = dead motor or at the minimum a very expensive repair.

choke it down and spend the money to get it replaced, you are running on borrowed time.

 

[RedArmy]

Well if you wanna change the timing belt yourself or by your dads friend, prepare to have a heck of a time since if I'm thinking correctly of where it's located on that generation civic then it doesn't leave much room to be desired. Also you gotta get a new water pump and tensioner. After that you have to make sure that it's timed correctly too unless you don't mind your engine imploding on you. I'd look around for a cheaper place, cause 750 dollars is insane. I could get it done on my Honda for about 400 at the most.

Edit: I'm optimistic when it comes to Hondas, I'd say you still have some time before you have to worry about it. Look for fraying on the belt itself or any cracks in it. You may need to remove the timing belt cover to do this, but it's only a few 10mm bolts at the most.

 

[Splork]

You should get it changed, but that price sounds really high. I'd shop around.

-sp

 

[thirdeye]

That price is absurd, but you should get it changed. Shop around.

 

[0roo0roo]

small local shop for better price
its required service as said, failure of this part on this engine is disaster. some other cars dont have that problem since the pistons dont go high enough to smash the valves. those timing belt changes aren't quite as important, though being stuck on the side of the road still isn't great. if you went to a lube shop..welll they'd probably overcharge.

 

[Heisenberg]

Honda's have interference engines IIRC. So if it breaks that will be very expensive to fix. Look around for a private shop, preferably one that specializes in imports and get an estimate from them. It's likely to be much cheaper than the dealer's price.

 

[d33pt]

had it changed on my del sol (pretty much the same engine) for abourt $200 with water pump.

 

[Squisher]

Yeah, go with a small shop, but specify that want a belt from the dealer. No reason to chance something on a cheap aftermarket part.

 

[shopbruin]

well i was thinking of getting a new car later this year and hopefully not have to deal with changing the timing belt (i didn't even think about the water pump and tensioner). there's no way i know how to take the cover off - i don't think i even know how i check my oil. i bet if i poke around i can find the stick.

anyone in west los angeles that has any shop recommendations?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: freesia39
well i was thinking of getting a new car later this year and hopefully not have to deal with changing the timing belt (i didn't even think about the water pump and tensioner). there's no way i know how to take the cover off - i don't think i even know how i check my oil. i bet if i poke around i can find the stick.

anyone in west los angeles that has any shop recommendations?

Have you taken good care of the car? Are you the original owner? I'd bet that the timing belt could go longer but if you plan on keeping the car I'd definitely get it done. If it's an interference engine it could cost you major bucks if the belt breaks while the engine is running...oh, and that's when timing belts break BTW. They never break when the engine isn't running.

 

[shopbruin]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: freesia39
well i was thinking of getting a new car later this year and hopefully not have to deal with changing the timing belt (i didn't even think about the water pump and tensioner). there's no way i know how to take the cover off - i don't think i even know how i check my oil. i bet if i poke around i can find the stick.

anyone in west los angeles that has any shop recommendations?

Have you taken good care of the car? Are you the original owner? I'd bet that the timing belt could go longer but if you plan on keeping the car I'd definitely get it done. If it's an interference engine it could cost you major bucks if the belt breaks while the engine is running...oh, and that's when timing belts break BTW. They never break when the engine isn't running.

as good as i know how to. i know how to take it in for oil changes, and then my dad just tells me to check the manual for my next scheduled "major service." technically my parents are the original owner but it's either been me, my mom, dad or brother driving this car.

 

[kitkit201]

remember mind was replaced and cost $220 at a small shop in the bay area..

 

[goodoptics]

Originally posted by: freesia39

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: freesia39
well i was thinking of getting a new car later this year and hopefully not have to deal with changing the timing belt (i didn't even think about the water pump and tensioner). there's no way i know how to take the cover off - i don't think i even know how i check my oil. i bet if i poke around i can find the stick.

anyone in west los angeles that has any shop recommendations?

Have you taken good care of the car? Are you the original owner? I'd bet that the timing belt could go longer but if you plan on keeping the car I'd definitely get it done. If it's an interference engine it could cost you major bucks if the belt breaks while the engine is running...oh, and that's when timing belts break BTW. They never break when the engine isn't running.

as good as i know how to. i know how to take it in for oil changes, and then my dad just tells me to check the manual for my next scheduled "major service." technically my parents are the original owner but it's either been me, my mom, dad or brother driving this car.

Your 98 Civic has an interference engine, and you are now on borrow time. If you plan on keeping the car, I'd recommend replace water pump and timing belt tensioner as well. Also, have the mechanic check the accessory belts, front seals, and valve cover gasket (since valve cover has to be removed anyway). I know a mechanic in Torrance specialized in foreign cars. PM me if you're interested.