Timing Belt

I have a 2000 Civic CX hatchback, and I was wondering if anyone could give
me an idea when you changed your timing belts. I'm in Canada, and the manual
says to change it at 168 000 kms or 105 000 miles (or 7 years).
I've often heard that it oughta be done at 100 000 kms, as waiting could
risk severe engine damage. Thoughts?
Thanks,
-chris

 

Chris,
Some cars do have a timing belt change interval of 100 000 kms, and yes, if
you don't do it, you risk engine damage. (If the belt breaks in an
'interference' engine, the pistons could hit the valves.)

However, the manual is the best source of information for _your_ car.
Honda's liability if it underestimated the life of the timing belt
would be huge. It is not about to do that. Follow the manual's
recommendations (and don't be surprised if a dealer tells you that it
needs to be changed sooner).
Dan
(This account is not used for email.)

 

I agree with Chris, with a caveat that doesn't apply to your first change.
Apparently there are "extended life" belts available for earlier models that
had shorter change intervals (like 90K miles). In spite of the claims, my
recommendation is to always use the change interval specified in the owner's
manual. The extra 20% would save you a whole timing belt change if the car
lasts 500K miles.

When I bought my daughter's '93 Accord LX from its former owner, he had been
having it maintained at Midas. They never clued him in that at 163K miles it
was *way* overdue for timing belt replacement. That was the very first thing
I had done to it.

Mike

 

I have a 98 civic lx here in canada too, but my
manual says that the interval is 100000kms. I
wonder why they would change the interval on the
same generation of civic? At the same time, I
guess its not outside the realm of possibility
either.

Like the other guys said, follow your manual,
and if you are really worried about it, talk to
your (trusted) dealer. (ie make sure you trust
them, I have had good and bad experiences...)

t

 

Make sure you are not looking at the "Severe Driving Conditions"
reccomendation.

G-Man

 

In canada, we are supposed to follow the severe
driving conditions,as in most provinces, we
experience sub -20 temps.

Like today for instance. I love changing my oil outside in -24 degrees
Celsius...

Frick, I need to move...

t

 

I find it hard to believe that sub-zero weather would significantly alter
the design life cycle on the timing belt. The recommendations in your
owner's manual are exactly that, "recommendations". They are not
compulsory. Any timing belt "recommended" for replacement at 100,000 KM is
being replaced at the sweet spot of its life-expectancy curve only to
protect the mfr while at the same time generating a revenue stream for the
servicing dealer. Every Civic or Accord I've seen would easily go 150,000
KM before the T-belt would start to show significant wear.

 

Although I don't doubt what you are saying is
correct, my experience would indicate
otherwise. I know 2 people in my area alone
that have had their T-Belt go at the 110 - 125K
km range.

I'm sure teGGer could attest to this as well.

We're lucky here in Canada, we get to do our
timing belts more often, as well as oil changes,
and other fluids.

t

 

I am on my 3rd accord. My other 2 went right around 150K.