What parts do I need to change theTiming Belt on my '98 (4 cyl) Odyssey?

The car only has 75K on it but it is eight years old. I am going to
have my mechanic do it but he suggested that I get the parts and ask
the parts counter what they recommend changing. He wasn't sure if the
idler pulley should be changed, for example. I have never heard of
people doing that on Hondas. I was thinking that I need the
following:

Timing Belt
Balance Shaft Belt
Water Pump
Coolant

Any thoughts?

 

That sounds good to me. The idler(s) may need to be changed, but it is much
more a mileage issue than a year issue and I'd expect it to be in decent
shape after 75K miles. By the next timing belt change the idlers (yours has
one for the timing belt and one for the balance, IIRC) will probably sound
like cheap roller skate wheels and will need to be changed so they don't
seize and burn through the belt from the back. They are expensive enough
that you don't want to buy them if you don't have to.

Some recommend changing the crank and cam front seals, since they are right
there. At 75K miles that seems like overkill. But definitely do the water
pump, because if it seizes it will destroy the timing belt and there will be
wailing and gnashing of teeth... yours.

Replacing the thermostat with an OEM thermostat is a good thing while
changing the coolant. But even an old OEM like the one you have now is
better than a new aftermarket 'stat.

A couple good resources are http://tegger.com/hondafaq/cranktool/index.html
and http://tegger.com/hondafaq/engines.html#beltmark

Mike

 

That sounds good to me. The idler(s) may need to be changed, but it is much
more a mileage issue than a year issue and I'd expect it to be in decent
shape after 75K miles. By the next timing belt change the idlers (yours has
one for the timing belt and one for the balance, IIRC) will probably sound
like cheap roller skate wheels and will need to be changed so they don't
seize and burn through the belt from the back. They are expensive enough
that you don't want to buy them if you don't have to.

Some recommend changing the crank and cam front seals, since they are right
there. At 75K miles that seems like overkill. But definitely do the water
pump, because if it seizes it will destroy the timing belt and there will be
wailing and gnashing of teeth... yours.

Replacing the thermostat with an OEM thermostat is a good thing while
changing the coolant. But even an old OEM like the one you have now is
better than a new aftermarket 'stat.

A couple good resources are http://tegger.com/hondafaq/cranktool/index.html
and http://tegger.com/hondafaq/engines.html#beltmark

Mike

 

(Gordon McGrew) wrote in

Yes to all the above. Use Honda coolant.


Replace the idler pulleys every second belt change. If leaving the exisint
one, confirm its condition by wiggling and spinning it.

While you're in there, check the crank and cam seals for weepage. They're
cheap and easy to replace. If they're leaking, now is the time to swap
them.

 

(Gordon McGrew) wrote in

Yes to all the above. Use Honda coolant.


Replace the idler pulleys every second belt change. If leaving the exisint
one, confirm its condition by wiggling and spinning it.

While you're in there, check the crank and cam seals for weepage. They're
cheap and easy to replace. If they're leaking, now is the time to swap
them.

 

got to be careful here... a new tensioner pulley has a little play in
it, so if the op is thinking of replacing the pulley on the basis that
it feels loose, they could be wasting their money. replace on mileage -
not necessary this time around.

weepage is normal and healthy. leakage, i.e. where oil is running out,
is not.

i personally favor not replacing them unless they actually leak.
instead, use of a quality motor oil that contains seal conditioners can
do wonders for seal performance. replacement has the risk of
[expensive] damage if the job is fouled up. besides, it makes more
logical sense to replace /all/ the seals if one were doing a job like
that, and that would involve transmission removal to access the main
seal. again, look to the quality oil solution first.

 

got to be careful here... a new tensioner pulley has a little play in
it, so if the op is thinking of replacing the pulley on the basis that
it feels loose, they could be wasting their money. replace on mileage -
not necessary this time around.

weepage is normal and healthy. leakage, i.e. where oil is running out,
is not.

i personally favor not replacing them unless they actually leak.
instead, use of a quality motor oil that contains seal conditioners can
do wonders for seal performance. replacement has the risk of
[expensive] damage if the job is fouled up. besides, it makes more
logical sense to replace /all/ the seals if one were doing a job like
that, and that would involve transmission removal to access the main
seal. again, look to the quality oil solution first.

 

I would add one more task based on experience with our '96 Odyssey. While
you've got the valve cover off doing the cam belts, this is a good time to
adjust the valves. Also replace the valve cover & sparkplug tube gaskets,
which are probably flattened out, hardened and preparing to leak by now.

 

I would add one more task based on experience with our '96 Odyssey. While
you've got the valve cover off doing the cam belts, this is a good time to
adjust the valves. Also replace the valve cover & sparkplug tube gaskets,
which are probably flattened out, hardened and preparing to leak by now.

 

Thanks everybody. I was already planning to do the valve adjustment
and the new gaskets sound like a good idea.

The thermostat was replaced about a year ago due to cold running.

Right on the Honda coolant - wouldn't use anything else.

I don't think there are any genuine Honda parts on the internet
anymore. Any idea what would be a good price in the US for these
parts?


Timing Belt
Balance Shaft Belt
Water Pump
Honda Coolant
Valve cover gasket set

 

Thanks everybody. I was already planning to do the valve adjustment
and the new gaskets sound like a good idea.

The thermostat was replaced about a year ago due to cold running.

Right on the Honda coolant - wouldn't use anything else.

I don't think there are any genuine Honda parts on the internet
anymore. Any idea what would be a good price in the US for these
parts?


Timing Belt
Balance Shaft Belt
Water Pump
Honda Coolant
Valve cover gasket set

 

OEM Honda parts on the net:
www.slhondaparts.com (California)
www.hondaautomotiveparts.com (Rhode Island)
www.cheapesthondaparts.com (Colorado; monitor shipping
closely)

 

OEM Honda parts on the net:
www.slhondaparts.com (California)
www.hondaautomotiveparts.com (Rhode Island)
www.cheapesthondaparts.com (Colorado; monitor shipping
closely)

 

Thanks a lot! Ordered the parts from Majestic in RI and saved a
bunch.

 

Thanks a lot! Ordered the parts from Majestic in RI and saved a
bunch.

 

Elle,

I just went there to see if I can get the plastic windshield trim (fake
chrome) and it seems to not be on the list. I need three sets of this
stuff front and rear. The only thing that I could save was the
stainless corner clips. Kin youse take a looksee???..

TIA

JT

 

Elle,

I just went there to see if I can get the plastic windshield trim (fake
chrome) and it seems to not be on the list. I need three sets of this
stuff front and rear. The only thing that I could save was the
stainless corner clips. Kin youse take a looksee???..

TIA

JT

 

Oooops, that's for the '83 Honda Civic FE and my latest aquisition, an
'82 el cheapo 4 speed hatchback ($200)...

JT

 

Oooops, that's for the '83 Honda Civic FE and my latest aquisition, an
'82 el cheapo 4 speed hatchback ($200)...

JT

 

Did you get to the following site (which is for the KAHMT
version of your 83 FE), and is the "molding" listed there
what you're seeking?

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Civic&catcgry2=1983&catcgry3=3DR+FE+1300&catcgry4=KAHMT&catcgry5=WINDSHIELD-REAR+WINDOW

For the 82 (3 door FE 1300 4-speed manual):
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Civic&catcgry2=1982&catcgry3=3DR+FE+1300&catcgry4=KA4MT&catcgry5=WINDSHIELD-REAR+WINDOW

I think Majestic's site (= hondaautomotiveparts.com) is a
little easier to use when first checking for parts.