YACT: Timing Belt Replacement (DIY or Take It In)

[HiTek21]

My 93 Legend is due for a timing belt change soon, I got a quote from Kerechuk (honda/acura specialist that my family has been using for years) and they said it would cost about $850 and about 2 days (1 if i get it in early) this includes Timing Belt, Water Pump, Thermostat, the other 3 engine belts and a coolant change. I was talking to my dad and he prefers that I take a few days off work and do it myself which isn't a bad idea. I have a Haynes manual (and a Acura Sedan Chiltons Manual). I asked around on the Legend Forums and they said that its rather complicated. So should I attempt the DIY or just break down and take it in.

 

[Heisenberg]

I'm guessing you'll probably have to disassemble half the motor to get to the belt. Unless you're pretty confident, I'd take it in.

 

[Ryan]

Dealership - too much of a chance that you'll ruin such a nice car.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
I'm guessing you'll probably have to disassemble half the motor to get to the belt. Unless you're pretty confident, I'd take it in.

You guessed correctly.
I took my Legend in to get the belt changed, I'm not going to take apart my engine.

 

[Sluggo]

I would imagine that a timing belt is a relatively substantial undertaking, lots of crap to screw up if you arent proficient at auto repair.

There could also be a smattering of specialty tools that if may not be rentable and would end up costing you as much as having a dealer do it.

You should call around to some independent shops to compare prices.

 

[amdskip]

I need to do the same for my 96 civic this summer but it looks like a real pita to do it myself.

 

[NutBucket]

On a V6 I would take it. After changing a t-belt on my current engine whilst out of the car I'd feel pretty decent about doing it in the car. Only problem is that d@mned crank pulley bolt! Fscker is on there with at least 180 ft-lbs.

 

[Quixfire]

There are several special tools required to set the timing on that engine, if your camshaft move while changing the belt you won't be able to set the timing. Plus I believe there is a special tool for the crankshaft pully to remove the bolt.

I would take it in.

 

[Slacker]

How much more will it cost to get it towed in and put back together after you take it apart?

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
There are several special tools required to set the timing on that engine, if your camshaft move while changing the belt you won't be able to set the timing. Plus I believe there is a special tool for the crankshaft pully to remove the bolt.

I would take it in.

Scary when a 3/4" impact gun can't break a bolt eh?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Timing belts are one job that I will not tackle at home. Just not happening. Unless you run your own shop, have someone else do it.

ZV

EDIT: How much opportunity cost is there in taking the 3-4 days off work that you'll invariably need? If it takes a professional 2 days, it's going to take you at _least_ 4.

 

[Templeton]

The first real mechanical job I ever tackled outside of oil changes was a head gasket swap on an i4 eclipse, the experience gained was invaluable, but I took my sweet time and was without a car for a number of weeks. A timing belt is certainly something you can do yourself at home, the question is, how much time do you have to spend on it? If you need your car to get to work/school, I would just take it in, there are just too many small things that can go wrong that'll set you back as you wait for parts to come in.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Some cars the crank pulley does not have to be taken off. On some a motor mount and the pulley has to be removed.
If a motor mount must be removed, the engine must be supported in a SAFE manner. The front pulley bolt must be removed before the motor mount, if that is the case.

Read your repair manual, see if you want to bite off a chunk, your the one thats going to be doing the chewing
Make sure you have the proper tools before you start. See if Autozone has the procedure listed for your car. They generally have good pics and a decent explanation of whats involved. Print it out as you WILL need it later. If your as anal as me, give it a quick coat of clear lacquer to prevent the inevitable smudges from blurring the text.

The most difficult pulley bolt ever(for me)is the in-line Toyota 6's. I had to make a hole in the flywheel housing and use a large screw driver to keep the flywheel from turning as I pulled on a 4.5' breaker bar. Yes it was a snipe(cheater) a piece of pipe slipped over a 1/2" drive flex handle. When it broke loose, it sounded like a crack of lightning.

If you study the manual and realize the work involved, you will at least know what you are paying for

If you chose to tackle the job, you will save some dough. It's your call. Take small bites and chew well

 

[LAUST]

not sure about Honda's V6's but on the 4 banger I changed the T belt on I have to put a jack under the engine and remove a motor mount, took awhile but wasn't really too bad. Sideways mounted V6's just suck in general to work on, I don't even want to know how much of a pain it is to do the T-belt, just the plugs alone suck.