99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

Sorry if this question is asked thousands of times.
I will make it as simple as possible.
I have 99 Civic EX and it has done 95K.
I purchased it from a lady who wasn't sure about timing belt was
changed .she said she got some belts changed. She didn't know much
about the CAR and service. I got it checked before buying and the
mechanic told me that he cannot check the state of TB. There is a lot
of work involved. My questions:

1) Can I get it(TB) checked? If yes then how much it would cost me? I
guess a lot.
2) What is the cost involved in changing of TB (without pumps and with
pumps) and other things which usually go with TB change?
3) I am in east coast near DC. Any suggestions who should be the best
for this job. I know dealers are good but the expenses at their shops
are very high.

Your help will be highly appreciated.

Thanks.

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

"Pankaj" <sharmapankaj@gmail.com> wrote
> Sorry if this question is asked thousands of times.
> I will make it as simple as possible.
> I have 99 Civic EX and it has done 95K.
> I purchased it from a lady who wasn't sure about timing
> belt was
> changed .she said she got some belts changed. She didn't
> know much
> about the CAR and service. I got it checked before buying
> and the
> mechanic told me that he cannot check the state of TB.
> There is a lot
> of work involved. My questions:
>
> 1) Can I get it(TB) checked?

No, it's impossible to tell much by just looking at a timing
belt.

For "normal driving," the timing belt for the 99 Civic is
due for replacement at 105k miles or seven years, whichever
comes first. Unless the former owner was a pushover, then it
seems more likely that the belt has not yet been changed.

This interval is listed in the owner's manual linked via
http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id9.html .

Do you have an owner's manual? Start using the free online
one linked above to identify what maintenance should be done
on your car. Lurk here, too, to learn important details
about maintenance! :-)

At what mileage did you buy this car?

> If yes then how much it would cost me? I
> guess a lot.
> 2) What is the cost involved in changing of TB (without
> pumps and with
> pumps) and other things which usually go with TB change?

Based on recent reports here, $500 to $700 seems to be the
going rate, with independent shops generally charging less.
This should include a new water pump and possibly also a
balance shaft belt for your Civic. I recommend doing the
water pump, too, for peace of mind. It's about $50 of the
price, and the labor for the belt and pump overlap
significantly.

> 3) I am in east coast near DC. Any suggestions who should
> be the best
> for this job. I know dealers are good but the expenses at
> their shops
> are very high.

An independent import shop might do just as good a job as
the dealer, but it's more likely the dealer will do this job
100% correctly. For at TB replacement, you pay more at the
dealer, but arguably you do get more.

You could ask the original owner if she ever had a bill
upwards of say $350 or so for "belts." If so, this would
most likely be a timing belt.

If you really can't be sure of whether the belt has been
changed, then have it changed as soon as possible. Your
Honda's engine can be seriously damaged if the belt fails,
to the tune of a few thousand dollars or a total loss. We do
get reports of timing belts failing here.

Other tips for keeping your Honda running optimally appear
at:

http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id9.html

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

"Pankaj" <sharmapankaj@gmail.com> wrote
> Sorry if this question is asked thousands of times.
> I will make it as simple as possible.
> I have 99 Civic EX and it has done 95K.
> I purchased it from a lady who wasn't sure about timing
> belt was
> changed .she said she got some belts changed. She didn't
> know much
> about the CAR and service. I got it checked before buying
> and the
> mechanic told me that he cannot check the state of TB.
> There is a lot
> of work involved. My questions:
>
> 1) Can I get it(TB) checked?

No, it's impossible to tell much by just looking at a timing
belt.

For "normal driving," the timing belt for the 99 Civic is
due for replacement at 105k miles or seven years, whichever
comes first. Unless the former owner was a pushover, then it
seems more likely that the belt has not yet been changed.

This interval is listed in the owner's manual linked via
http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id9.html .

Do you have an owner's manual? Start using the free online
one linked above to identify what maintenance should be done
on your car. Lurk here, too, to learn important details
about maintenance! :-)

At what mileage did you buy this car?

> If yes then how much it would cost me? I
> guess a lot.
> 2) What is the cost involved in changing of TB (without
> pumps and with
> pumps) and other things which usually go with TB change?

Based on recent reports here, $500 to $700 seems to be the
going rate, with independent shops generally charging less.
This should include a new water pump and possibly also a
balance shaft belt for your Civic. I recommend doing the
water pump, too, for peace of mind. It's about $50 of the
price, and the labor for the belt and pump overlap
significantly.

> 3) I am in east coast near DC. Any suggestions who should
> be the best
> for this job. I know dealers are good but the expenses at
> their shops
> are very high.

An independent import shop might do just as good a job as
the dealer, but it's more likely the dealer will do this job
100% correctly. For at TB replacement, you pay more at the
dealer, but arguably you do get more.

You could ask the original owner if she ever had a bill
upwards of say $350 or so for "belts." If so, this would
most likely be a timing belt.

If you really can't be sure of whether the belt has been
changed, then have it changed as soon as possible. Your
Honda's engine can be seriously damaged if the belt fails,
to the tune of a few thousand dollars or a total loss. We do
get reports of timing belts failing here.

Other tips for keeping your Honda running optimally appear
at:

http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id9.html

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

"Pankaj" <sharmapankaj@gmail.com> wrote
> Sorry if this question is asked thousands of times.
> I will make it as simple as possible.
> I have 99 Civic EX and it has done 95K.
> I purchased it from a lady who wasn't sure about timing
> belt was
> changed .she said she got some belts changed. She didn't
> know much
> about the CAR and service. I got it checked before buying
> and the
> mechanic told me that he cannot check the state of TB.
> There is a lot
> of work involved. My questions:
>
> 1) Can I get it(TB) checked?

No, it's impossible to tell much by just looking at a timing
belt.

For "normal driving," the timing belt for the 99 Civic is
due for replacement at 105k miles or seven years, whichever
comes first. Unless the former owner was a pushover, then it
seems more likely that the belt has not yet been changed.

This interval is listed in the owner's manual linked via
http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id9.html .

Do you have an owner's manual? Start using the free online
one linked above to identify what maintenance should be done
on your car. Lurk here, too, to learn important details
about maintenance! :-)

At what mileage did you buy this car?

> If yes then how much it would cost me? I
> guess a lot.
> 2) What is the cost involved in changing of TB (without
> pumps and with
> pumps) and other things which usually go with TB change?

Based on recent reports here, $500 to $700 seems to be the
going rate, with independent shops generally charging less.
This should include a new water pump and possibly also a
balance shaft belt for your Civic. I recommend doing the
water pump, too, for peace of mind. It's about $50 of the
price, and the labor for the belt and pump overlap
significantly.

> 3) I am in east coast near DC. Any suggestions who should
> be the best
> for this job. I know dealers are good but the expenses at
> their shops
> are very high.

An independent import shop might do just as good a job as
the dealer, but it's more likely the dealer will do this job
100% correctly. For at TB replacement, you pay more at the
dealer, but arguably you do get more.

You could ask the original owner if she ever had a bill
upwards of say $350 or so for "belts." If so, this would
most likely be a timing belt.

If you really can't be sure of whether the belt has been
changed, then have it changed as soon as possible. Your
Honda's engine can be seriously damaged if the belt fails,
to the tune of a few thousand dollars or a total loss. We do
get reports of timing belts failing here.

Other tips for keeping your Honda running optimally appear
at:

http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id9.html

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

Pankaj wrote:
> Sorry if this question is asked thousands of times.
> I will make it as simple as possible.
> I have 99 Civic EX and it has done 95K.
> I purchased it from a lady who wasn't sure about timing belt was
> changed .she said she got some belts changed. She didn't know much
> about the CAR and service. I got it checked before buying and the
> mechanic told me that he cannot check the state of TB.

find a different mechanic. they can't tell you the exact mileage, but
it sure is easy to see the difference between a belt that's done 95k and
one that's done 10k.

> There is a lot
> of work involved. My questions:
>
> 1) Can I get it(TB) checked? If yes then how much it would cost me? I
> guess a lot.

it'll cost you the price of a valve lash adjustment and rocker cover
gasket - with the rocker cover off, the state of the belt can be easily
seen. again, find a decent mechanic that will do this for you. or buy
the book and tools and do it yourself.

> 2) What is the cost involved in changing of TB (without pumps and with
> pumps) and other things which usually go with TB change?
> 3) I am in east coast near DC. Any suggestions who should be the best
> for this job. I know dealers are good but the expenses at their shops
> are very high.
>
> Your help will be highly appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

Pankaj wrote:
> Sorry if this question is asked thousands of times.
> I will make it as simple as possible.
> I have 99 Civic EX and it has done 95K.
> I purchased it from a lady who wasn't sure about timing belt was
> changed .she said she got some belts changed. She didn't know much
> about the CAR and service. I got it checked before buying and the
> mechanic told me that he cannot check the state of TB.

find a different mechanic. they can't tell you the exact mileage, but
it sure is easy to see the difference between a belt that's done 95k and
one that's done 10k.

> There is a lot
> of work involved. My questions:
>
> 1) Can I get it(TB) checked? If yes then how much it would cost me? I
> guess a lot.

it'll cost you the price of a valve lash adjustment and rocker cover
gasket - with the rocker cover off, the state of the belt can be easily
seen. again, find a decent mechanic that will do this for you. or buy
the book and tools and do it yourself.

> 2) What is the cost involved in changing of TB (without pumps and with
> pumps) and other things which usually go with TB change?
> 3) I am in east coast near DC. Any suggestions who should be the best
> for this job. I know dealers are good but the expenses at their shops
> are very high.
>
> Your help will be highly appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

Pankaj wrote:
> Sorry if this question is asked thousands of times.
> I will make it as simple as possible.
> I have 99 Civic EX and it has done 95K.
> I purchased it from a lady who wasn't sure about timing belt was
> changed .she said she got some belts changed. She didn't know much
> about the CAR and service. I got it checked before buying and the
> mechanic told me that he cannot check the state of TB.

find a different mechanic. they can't tell you the exact mileage, but
it sure is easy to see the difference between a belt that's done 95k and
one that's done 10k.

> There is a lot
> of work involved. My questions:
>
> 1) Can I get it(TB) checked? If yes then how much it would cost me? I
> guess a lot.

it'll cost you the price of a valve lash adjustment and rocker cover
gasket - with the rocker cover off, the state of the belt can be easily
seen. again, find a decent mechanic that will do this for you. or buy
the book and tools and do it yourself.

> 2) What is the cost involved in changing of TB (without pumps and with
> pumps) and other things which usually go with TB change?
> 3) I am in east coast near DC. Any suggestions who should be the best
> for this job. I know dealers are good but the expenses at their shops
> are very high.
>
> Your help will be highly appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

Elle has a lot of good points. I'm in the middle of a timing belt change
on my daughter's 98 Civic Ex with 99,000 miles. The timing belt was 8
years old and still looked perfect. But, I guess it could have snapped at
any moment. I would not let a generic repair shop touch and learn on my
Honda. A dealer or someone who specializes in Honda / Acura would fit the
bill if I was not doing it myself. My goal was to replace many parts that
still had some life in them to help ensure no major problems in the next
100,000 miles. I plan on replacing the alternator or brushes at 150,000
miles. The crankshft pulley was the tightest I have ever seen. I had to
purchase a new impact socket and boost the pressure to 150 psi on my
Ingersoll Rand Impact wrench (600+ ft pounds of torque). I also had a
major problem trying to remove the dipstick tube so I could remove the
timing belt covers (it's posted 2 days ago under the Honda heading in this
forum. I'm replacing the TB tensioner, water pump, fuel filter and Air
Filter. I found the lower drivers side motor mount bad. Changing all
belts, plugs (NGK), Distributor Cap and Rotor is what I'm doing. Don't go
cheap on this and you will get a lot of additional miles out of your Honda.
Changing the transmission fluid is also a must. Good luck.

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

Elle has a lot of good points. I'm in the middle of a timing belt change
on my daughter's 98 Civic Ex with 99,000 miles. The timing belt was 8
years old and still looked perfect. But, I guess it could have snapped at
any moment. I would not let a generic repair shop touch and learn on my
Honda. A dealer or someone who specializes in Honda / Acura would fit the
bill if I was not doing it myself. My goal was to replace many parts that
still had some life in them to help ensure no major problems in the next
100,000 miles. I plan on replacing the alternator or brushes at 150,000
miles. The crankshft pulley was the tightest I have ever seen. I had to
purchase a new impact socket and boost the pressure to 150 psi on my
Ingersoll Rand Impact wrench (600+ ft pounds of torque). I also had a
major problem trying to remove the dipstick tube so I could remove the
timing belt covers (it's posted 2 days ago under the Honda heading in this
forum. I'm replacing the TB tensioner, water pump, fuel filter and Air
Filter. I found the lower drivers side motor mount bad. Changing all
belts, plugs (NGK), Distributor Cap and Rotor is what I'm doing. Don't go
cheap on this and you will get a lot of additional miles out of your Honda.
Changing the transmission fluid is also a must. Good luck.

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

Elle has a lot of good points. I'm in the middle of a timing belt change
on my daughter's 98 Civic Ex with 99,000 miles. The timing belt was 8
years old and still looked perfect. But, I guess it could have snapped at
any moment. I would not let a generic repair shop touch and learn on my
Honda. A dealer or someone who specializes in Honda / Acura would fit the
bill if I was not doing it myself. My goal was to replace many parts that
still had some life in them to help ensure no major problems in the next
100,000 miles. I plan on replacing the alternator or brushes at 150,000
miles. The crankshft pulley was the tightest I have ever seen. I had to
purchase a new impact socket and boost the pressure to 150 psi on my
Ingersoll Rand Impact wrench (600+ ft pounds of torque). I also had a
major problem trying to remove the dipstick tube so I could remove the
timing belt covers (it's posted 2 days ago under the Honda heading in this
forum. I'm replacing the TB tensioner, water pump, fuel filter and Air
Filter. I found the lower drivers side motor mount bad. Changing all
belts, plugs (NGK), Distributor Cap and Rotor is what I'm doing. Don't go
cheap on this and you will get a lot of additional miles out of your Honda.
Changing the transmission fluid is also a must. Good luck.

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

duckbill wrote:
> Elle has a lot of good points. I'm in the middle of a timing belt change
> on my daughter's 98 Civic Ex with 99,000 miles. The timing belt was 8
> years old and still looked perfect. But, I guess it could have snapped at
> any moment. I would not let a generic repair shop touch and learn on my
> Honda. A dealer or someone who specializes in Honda / Acura would fit the
> bill if I was not doing it myself. My goal was to replace many parts that
> still had some life in them to help ensure no major problems in the next
> 100,000 miles. I plan on replacing the alternator or brushes at 150,000
> miles. The crankshft pulley was the tightest I have ever seen. I had to
> purchase a new impact socket and boost the pressure to 150 psi on my
> Ingersoll Rand Impact wrench (600+ ft pounds of torque).

what size air line are you using? they only reach that kind of torque
with fat line as the skinny stuff has too much flow resistance - it
tends to be a little elastic too and that drops pressure low in pulses,
which of course you can't see on a gauge as it's too transient.

i use the proper pulley wheel holder, a 3/4" drive, breaker bar and body
weight solution. bolt comes free at about 300 - 350 ft.lbs.

> I also had a
> major problem trying to remove the dipstick tube so I could remove the
> timing belt covers (it's posted 2 days ago under the Honda heading in this
> forum. I'm replacing the TB tensioner, water pump, fuel filter and Air
> Filter. I found the lower drivers side motor mount bad. Changing all
> belts, plugs (NGK), Distributor Cap and Rotor is what I'm doing. Don't go
> cheap on this and you will get a lot of additional miles out of your Honda.
> Changing the transmission fluid is also a must. Good luck.
>
>

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

duckbill wrote:
> Elle has a lot of good points. I'm in the middle of a timing belt change
> on my daughter's 98 Civic Ex with 99,000 miles. The timing belt was 8
> years old and still looked perfect. But, I guess it could have snapped at
> any moment. I would not let a generic repair shop touch and learn on my
> Honda. A dealer or someone who specializes in Honda / Acura would fit the
> bill if I was not doing it myself. My goal was to replace many parts that
> still had some life in them to help ensure no major problems in the next
> 100,000 miles. I plan on replacing the alternator or brushes at 150,000
> miles. The crankshft pulley was the tightest I have ever seen. I had to
> purchase a new impact socket and boost the pressure to 150 psi on my
> Ingersoll Rand Impact wrench (600+ ft pounds of torque).

what size air line are you using? they only reach that kind of torque
with fat line as the skinny stuff has too much flow resistance - it
tends to be a little elastic too and that drops pressure low in pulses,
which of course you can't see on a gauge as it's too transient.

i use the proper pulley wheel holder, a 3/4" drive, breaker bar and body
weight solution. bolt comes free at about 300 - 350 ft.lbs.

> I also had a
> major problem trying to remove the dipstick tube so I could remove the
> timing belt covers (it's posted 2 days ago under the Honda heading in this
> forum. I'm replacing the TB tensioner, water pump, fuel filter and Air
> Filter. I found the lower drivers side motor mount bad. Changing all
> belts, plugs (NGK), Distributor Cap and Rotor is what I'm doing. Don't go
> cheap on this and you will get a lot of additional miles out of your Honda.
> Changing the transmission fluid is also a must. Good luck.
>
>

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

duckbill wrote:
> Elle has a lot of good points. I'm in the middle of a timing belt change
> on my daughter's 98 Civic Ex with 99,000 miles. The timing belt was 8
> years old and still looked perfect. But, I guess it could have snapped at
> any moment. I would not let a generic repair shop touch and learn on my
> Honda. A dealer or someone who specializes in Honda / Acura would fit the
> bill if I was not doing it myself. My goal was to replace many parts that
> still had some life in them to help ensure no major problems in the next
> 100,000 miles. I plan on replacing the alternator or brushes at 150,000
> miles. The crankshft pulley was the tightest I have ever seen. I had to
> purchase a new impact socket and boost the pressure to 150 psi on my
> Ingersoll Rand Impact wrench (600+ ft pounds of torque).

what size air line are you using? they only reach that kind of torque
with fat line as the skinny stuff has too much flow resistance - it
tends to be a little elastic too and that drops pressure low in pulses,
which of course you can't see on a gauge as it's too transient.

i use the proper pulley wheel holder, a 3/4" drive, breaker bar and body
weight solution. bolt comes free at about 300 - 350 ft.lbs.

> I also had a
> major problem trying to remove the dipstick tube so I could remove the
> timing belt covers (it's posted 2 days ago under the Honda heading in this
> forum. I'm replacing the TB tensioner, water pump, fuel filter and Air
> Filter. I found the lower drivers side motor mount bad. Changing all
> belts, plugs (NGK), Distributor Cap and Rotor is what I'm doing. Don't go
> cheap on this and you will get a lot of additional miles out of your Honda.
> Changing the transmission fluid is also a must. Good luck.
>
>

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

Jim, I'm not replacing the cam and crankshaft oil seals this time around
with regard to your advice on that subject. My air pressure line is an
Air-TAC HW 300 PSI (2608) line with 3/8 fittings. It's a fairly fat line.
It my original "cheap" 17mm impact socket. Spraying the crank bolt
with PB Blaster, hitting the bolt with a drift and hammer, then using a
new, heavy duty impact socket did the trick (150 psi), whew.

Re: 99 Honda Civic - I want my timing belt changed
 

Jim, I'm not replacing the cam and crankshaft oil seals this time around
with regard to your advice on that subject. My air pressure line is an
Air-TAC HW 300 PSI (2608) line with 3/8 fittings. It's a fairly fat line.
It my original "cheap" 17mm impact socket. Spraying the crank bolt
with PB Blaster, hitting the bolt with a drift and hammer, then using a
new, heavy duty impact socket did the trick (150 psi), whew.