timing belt replacement update

Went to the garage and looked over the shoulder of the mechanic as he
did timing belt and water pump replacement. He ran so long doing the
job he gave me a free oil change.

Total cost: $400.

Old timing belt was immaculate. No cracks at all. Flexible, strong and
all the teeth were present. Probably would have lasted another 50K
miles (I had 155K miles on the car).

Water pump looked like it just came out of the box. No corrosion, and
spun like brand new.

Probably could have gone another year...BUT the alternative...if the
belt broke...would have been worse.

 

Good mechanic if he didn't charge you in accordance with that sign we've
all seen:

Labor

$65/hour
If you watch $75/hour
If you help $95/hour
If you supervise $125/hour

<g>

 

What year/model/mileage?

 

keep forgetting that....

2000 honda CRV 155K miles

 

T-belts usually look fine until they fail.

Eric

 

I went 180K on the OEM timing belt and pump, 90% Interstate driving. I'd bet
I could have gone 250k, but I began worrying about the risk so much it was
worth it to have it done and start sleeping well again. :-0

 

There will also be stories of thopse who have wrecked an engine after
60,000 miles on a camshft belt. What does that prove? Clearly the
menufacturers' recommendations for changing a belt will be
conservative as are all service intervals.

 

And the potential cost of ignoring it is far greater than the cost of
having the service performed, just like all areas of maintenance.