Changing Timing Belt on Honda Civic !!!

Hello!

I have a 98 Honda Civic DX Hatchback. It has 97k on it right now. Many of my
friends are telling me that i should get the timing belt changed.

If I do, how much would it cost approximately? And is it true in the same
time I should get also the water pump replaced because it's nearby the
timing belt? I just bought some new winter tires and would like any advice
on what I should do right now?

Can I wait until spring time before changing the timing belt? Ok, and the
timing belt: how much? how many hours for the labour?

Thanks to all responses!

Jay

 

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You're the only one who can say, since you know where you live, and
whether you qualify as a 'regular' service (Vancouver, garaged) or a
'severe' service schedule user (Winnipeg, no plug-in). You also have
access to the exact date the car went into use.

You're probably due, just based on age, but if it's been pampered /
highway driven / kept in a warm climate, you might push the limits a bit.

You should also mention whether you're talking Km or MILES.

'Curly'

 

=======================

You're the only one who can say, since you know where you live, and
whether you qualify as a 'regular' service (Vancouver, garaged) or a
'severe' service schedule user (Winnipeg, no plug-in). You also have
access to the exact date the car went into use.

You're probably due, just based on age, but if it's been pampered /
highway driven / kept in a warm climate, you might push the limits a bit.

You should also mention whether you're talking Km or MILES.

'Curly'

 

@108k, IIRC.

id put it off til spring.

if i pay to have it done, im expecting about $600, total. just a wild
ass guess.

 

@108k, IIRC.

id put it off til spring.

if i pay to have it done, im expecting about $600, total. just a wild
ass guess.

 

I have heard that as a rule, you have to change your timing belt around or
every 75k miles!..

And that once you're doing it, it will also be convenient for you to change
the oil seals and the water pump!..It's better pto have a peace of mind than
beeing worried about if that problem will leave you stranded!..

 

I have heard that as a rule, you have to change your timing belt around or
every 75k miles!..

And that once you're doing it, it will also be convenient for you to change
the oil seals and the water pump!..It's better pto have a peace of mind than
beeing worried about if that problem will leave you stranded!..

 

I didn't change the water pump on my last timing belt change at 90k miles. I
need to change the timing belt again in 3k miles. I don't plan on changing the
water pump at this time either.

 

I didn't change the water pump on my last timing belt change at 90k miles. I
need to change the timing belt again in 3k miles. I don't plan on changing the
water pump at this time either.

 

That's very smart! ... you are saving how much???

 

That's very smart! ... you are saving how much???

 

I saved some labor...and waste materials to the dump... and energy the
manufacturer spent on making it... and fuel transporting it... and some $$. Why
replace it when it works well?

 

I saved some labor...and waste materials to the dump... and energy the
manufacturer spent on making it... and fuel transporting it... and some $$. Why
replace it when it works well?

 

if it stops working well suddenly, youll need a new top end. i can see
your point, though. dont the pumps leak or squeak before they fail?

 

if it stops working well suddenly, youll need a new top end. i can see
your point, though. dont the pumps leak or squeak before they fail?

 

75K is a new number. Where did you hear that?

 

One failure mode is jammed pump. This is catastrophic. It would damage the timing
belt.

The other mode is leakage. Since the water pump has built-in seep hole, occasional
drops won't be considered failure. If it drips continuously, I would consider that a
failure.

I've seen one picture of a water pump with fully corroded propellers. I still don't
know what that person put into his engine to get those stainless steel props to
corrode like that.

My point is that I won't consciously recommend someone to spend extra money to
replace the water pump because of myth surrounding frequent pump failure. My car is a
92 Civic. It still has original water pump, and possibly original coolant. There is
no seepage of coolant from the water pump atm. There is no whining, nor overheating.
I don't consider replacing it as a preventative maintenance. I might remove it and
take a few pictures in a few months, and then put it back with a new gasket.

 

One failure mode is jammed pump. This is catastrophic. It would damage the timing
belt.

The other mode is leakage. Since the water pump has built-in seep hole, occasional
drops won't be considered failure. If it drips continuously, I would consider that a
failure.

I've seen one picture of a water pump with fully corroded propellers. I still don't
know what that person put into his engine to get those stainless steel props to
corrode like that.

My point is that I won't consciously recommend someone to spend extra money to
replace the water pump because of myth surrounding frequent pump failure. My car is a
92 Civic. It still has original water pump, and possibly original coolant. There is
no seepage of coolant from the water pump atm. There is no whining, nor overheating.
I don't consider replacing it as a preventative maintenance. I might remove it and
take a few pictures in a few months, and then put it back with a new gasket.

 

I just did my T-Belt and water pump at 210000kms (130000mi).
I'm glad i did the pump, as when I pulled it out, I noticed
that when I spun it by hand, there was a low squeal coming
from the bushing, and alot of play, since the part has alot
of mileage on it. I did not notice this when it was in the
car, so I replaced it with a new one, and it is nice and
tight. Would that be classified as PM?

Even my dealership recommended doing it, and they knew i
was doing the job myself. (and i didn't buy the pump from
them)

The t-belt on the other hand, looked brand new. I know,
I know, you can't tell when your t-belt is gonna snap. For
that matter you can't tell when your pump is gonna fail.
They cost the same amount of cash, and take the same amount
of labour to do. I think it makes sense to do the pump at
every other t-belt change.

my 2 bits.

t

 

I think of it in terms of cost to take the precaution vs. likelihood of
failure times the cost to replace the part if it fails. IIRC my son paid
about $40 (I could be wrong, but not way wrong) for the OEM water pump in
his Acura. The labor to replace the water pump would run more than 10 times
that, plus the unscheduled down time. It wasn't a hard decision, and we
replaced the perfectly good cam seals and front main seal at the same time.
It wouldn't be crazy to change the water pump at every other timing belt
change, but going longer than that is a fool's game for sure. I have never
(in 30 years) had any warning of any water pump failure. A pump looks
identical if it has years or minutes left.

I didn't get too exercised about the subject until I read a post on a Volvo
news group by a poor soul who had his timing belt (but not the water pump)
replaced at 90K and the water pump seized at a little over 100K. The $6000
dollar repair included a new water pump, though. Honda pumps don't have the
nasty reputation for seizing that Ford water pumps have, fortunately. In
'90s Escorts the water pump should be changed every 50K miles, and the
timing belt may as well be changed while the area is torn down.

Do expect to replace your belt tensioner(s), though. The one in the Acura
(he bought it with 130K miles and original timing belt) sounded like a
roller skate wheel and had been scuffing the outside of the belt.

Mike