Re: '96 Accord 90K preventive maintenance
 

Honda has switched to chains on the newer 4 cylinder engines. They are
still using the belts on the 6s though the replacement interval has been
extended to 105,000 miles.

On 11/30/04 8:41 PM, in article 8PmdnTmbTOXBsjDcRVn-2A@rogers.com, "Hank"
<jdoe@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Why is Honda still using a timing belt, instead of a timing chain?
> Why would they not switch to a chain and eliminate this high cost
> maintenance item?
>
> "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:vF3rd.1093$Dm2.625@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
>> I've seen numerous broken timing belts. Some are disastrous and some are
>> just a nuisance. It all depends on whether your motor is an "interference
>> motor" or not. That means, is their any space between the piston and any
>> hung open valve. If there is space then internal damage will not occur.
>> You
>> would have to tow the car to repair it and replace your timing belt and
>> any
>> other needed belts or items due for that type of maintenance. If there is
>> no
>> room between pistons and valves or your engine is an "interference motor"
>> then when your motor is running (spinning) and your timing belt breaks the
>> piston will smash in to the open valves and bend them. Depending on how
>> fast
>> your engine was turning (RPM) you may bend a majority or all your valves.
>> You may even damage a piston. All bent valves and damaged pistons would
>> need
>> to be replaced if you wanted the engine to run again. I've seen the costs
>> run from about $300 for no engine damage to a couple of thousand to
>> replace
>> valves and/or piston(s). Sometimes the cause is a frozen belt tensioner
>> which should be inspected when repairing and replaced.
>> Most of the time the failure has occurred after the factory specified
>> mileage period for replacement when owners have ignored the maintenance
>> schedules. But I have seen a few that have failed before the specified
>> interval, though that is rare. It all depends on how a vehicle is
>> maintained
>> and under what conditions the vehicle is operated under. Normal or severe
>> conditions require different timetables of maintenance.
>> The most frequent end result I've seen is people will follow the
>> recommended
>> service intervals after going through that experience and then not have
>> that
>> problem again.
>> And that is usually all that is required to make a Honda last and be
>> dependable. Just follow the recommended service intervals from the
>> factory.
>> Don't let anyone sell you a service you don't need, such as an engine
>> flush,
>> transmission flush or anything beyond the factory intervals. If you follow
>> them you usually won't need these unnecessary services because your Honda
>> has been properly maintained.
>> Howard
>> "Hank" <jdoe@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:K6ednftGX45K9zHcRVn-uw@rogers.com...
>>> Just wondering if anyone on this newsgroup has had a timing belt break on
>>> them
>>> and would like to share the experience with the group?
>>> The conditions at the time, such as the age and make of vehicle,
>>> mileage, damage that occurred, cost to repaid and end results.
>>>
>>> "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:ECZqd.883$Dm2.552@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
>>>> DO NOT WAIT!
>>>> You do not want to wait for something to happen. If your belt breaks
>>>> you
>>>> can
>>>> cause major engine damage. That $800. figure will pale in comparison.
>> When
>>>> a
>>>> timing belt fails, there is no warning, so don't be fooled by how your
>> car
>>>> runs.
>>>> If it were my car, I'd bring it to my dealer. I'd want to be sure that
>>>> it's
>>>> done right and with the best quality parts. Avoid all "back alley"
>>>> guys.
>>>> But
>>>> if you do it outside of your dealer be sure of three things. First, be
>>>> sure
>>>> to do it right. Change all of the following: timing belt, balance belt,
>>>> alternator belt, power steering belt, air conditioner belt, water pump,
>>>> camshaft seal, balance shaft seal (make sure you have a retainer for
>> this
>>>> seal which was added by Honda later) and crankshaft seal and use Honda
>>>> antifreeze to prevent any damage to your cooling system from the wrong
>>>> coolant. Second, as I said before, use original Honda parts. They WILL
>>>> last
>>>> longest. Third, if your dealer does it, fine. If you do it elsewhere,
>>>> be
>>>> sure that person/shop is not just an experienced mechanic but is a
>>>> Honda
>>>> specialist. These three steps are the key to be lucky enough to have
>>>> the
>>>> opportunity to get you to be able to spend this much and more for the
>> next
>>>> time at 180,000 miles!
>>>> Good luck,
>>>> Howard
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Mike" <powerpNOSPAM@yahoo.com>
>>>> Newsgroups: alt.autos.honda
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 12:05 AM
>>>> Subject: '96 Accord 90K preventive maintenance
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> 1st time on here...
>>>>>
>>>>> Honda recommends preventive maintenance replacement of water pump and
>>>> timing
>>>>> belt at 90K.
>>>>> I'm at 91K now and things are running fine with my '96 Accord coupe
>> (4cyl
>>>>> Vtec auto).
>>>>> Should I have it done now by Honda ($800), find a good back-alley guy,
>> or
>>>>> just wait for something to happen?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>>>
>>>>> Mike
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Re: '96 Accord 90K preventive maintenance
 

Honda has switched to chains on the newer 4 cylinder engines. They are
still using the belts on the 6s though the replacement interval has been
extended to 105,000 miles.

On 11/30/04 8:41 PM, in article 8PmdnTmbTOXBsjDcRVn-2A@rogers.com, "Hank"
<jdoe@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Why is Honda still using a timing belt, instead of a timing chain?
> Why would they not switch to a chain and eliminate this high cost
> maintenance item?
>
> "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:vF3rd.1093$Dm2.625@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
>> I've seen numerous broken timing belts. Some are disastrous and some are
>> just a nuisance. It all depends on whether your motor is an "interference
>> motor" or not. That means, is their any space between the piston and any
>> hung open valve. If there is space then internal damage will not occur.
>> You
>> would have to tow the car to repair it and replace your timing belt and
>> any
>> other needed belts or items due for that type of maintenance. If there is
>> no
>> room between pistons and valves or your engine is an "interference motor"
>> then when your motor is running (spinning) and your timing belt breaks the
>> piston will smash in to the open valves and bend them. Depending on how
>> fast
>> your engine was turning (RPM) you may bend a majority or all your valves.
>> You may even damage a piston. All bent valves and damaged pistons would
>> need
>> to be replaced if you wanted the engine to run again. I've seen the costs
>> run from about $300 for no engine damage to a couple of thousand to
>> replace
>> valves and/or piston(s). Sometimes the cause is a frozen belt tensioner
>> which should be inspected when repairing and replaced.
>> Most of the time the failure has occurred after the factory specified
>> mileage period for replacement when owners have ignored the maintenance
>> schedules. But I have seen a few that have failed before the specified
>> interval, though that is rare. It all depends on how a vehicle is
>> maintained
>> and under what conditions the vehicle is operated under. Normal or severe
>> conditions require different timetables of maintenance.
>> The most frequent end result I've seen is people will follow the
>> recommended
>> service intervals after going through that experience and then not have
>> that
>> problem again.
>> And that is usually all that is required to make a Honda last and be
>> dependable. Just follow the recommended service intervals from the
>> factory.
>> Don't let anyone sell you a service you don't need, such as an engine
>> flush,
>> transmission flush or anything beyond the factory intervals. If you follow
>> them you usually won't need these unnecessary services because your Honda
>> has been properly maintained.
>> Howard
>> "Hank" <jdoe@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:K6ednftGX45K9zHcRVn-uw@rogers.com...
>>> Just wondering if anyone on this newsgroup has had a timing belt break on
>>> them
>>> and would like to share the experience with the group?
>>> The conditions at the time, such as the age and make of vehicle,
>>> mileage, damage that occurred, cost to repaid and end results.
>>>
>>> "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:ECZqd.883$Dm2.552@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
>>>> DO NOT WAIT!
>>>> You do not want to wait for something to happen. If your belt breaks
>>>> you
>>>> can
>>>> cause major engine damage. That $800. figure will pale in comparison.
>> When
>>>> a
>>>> timing belt fails, there is no warning, so don't be fooled by how your
>> car
>>>> runs.
>>>> If it were my car, I'd bring it to my dealer. I'd want to be sure that
>>>> it's
>>>> done right and with the best quality parts. Avoid all "back alley"
>>>> guys.
>>>> But
>>>> if you do it outside of your dealer be sure of three things. First, be
>>>> sure
>>>> to do it right. Change all of the following: timing belt, balance belt,
>>>> alternator belt, power steering belt, air conditioner belt, water pump,
>>>> camshaft seal, balance shaft seal (make sure you have a retainer for
>> this
>>>> seal which was added by Honda later) and crankshaft seal and use Honda
>>>> antifreeze to prevent any damage to your cooling system from the wrong
>>>> coolant. Second, as I said before, use original Honda parts. They WILL
>>>> last
>>>> longest. Third, if your dealer does it, fine. If you do it elsewhere,
>>>> be
>>>> sure that person/shop is not just an experienced mechanic but is a
>>>> Honda
>>>> specialist. These three steps are the key to be lucky enough to have
>>>> the
>>>> opportunity to get you to be able to spend this much and more for the
>> next
>>>> time at 180,000 miles!
>>>> Good luck,
>>>> Howard
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Mike" <powerpNOSPAM@yahoo.com>
>>>> Newsgroups: alt.autos.honda
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 12:05 AM
>>>> Subject: '96 Accord 90K preventive maintenance
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> 1st time on here...
>>>>>
>>>>> Honda recommends preventive maintenance replacement of water pump and
>>>> timing
>>>>> belt at 90K.
>>>>> I'm at 91K now and things are running fine with my '96 Accord coupe
>> (4cyl
>>>>> Vtec auto).
>>>>> Should I have it done now by Honda ($800), find a good back-alley guy,
>> or
>>>>> just wait for something to happen?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>>>
>>>>> Mike
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>