GTcarz - Automotive forums for cars & trucks.

- Honda Mailing List (https://www.gtcarz.com/honda-mailing-list-327/)

- - the belt (https://www.gtcarz.com/honda-mailing-list-327/belt-276791/)

> Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs
to
> be changed?

Belts are usually hard to tell when they need to be replaced. However; you
can make sure that your belt is NOT dying. If you pull the valve cover and
the upper timing belt cover, you can use a 17mm socket to rotate the
accessory pulley and look at the belt in its entirity. Make sure you the
teeth
look OK and there's no deterioration on them. Also, make sure the
belt is not frayed and in good condition. If the car has never received a
timing belt change at a delearship, check the maker of the belt (it will
be written on the top), if it is Honda chances are the previous owner
never replaced the belt.
Belts should be replaced every 90,000 along with its water pump. I heard
from someone in the newsgroup he was charged $1000 to replace it at a
stealership. Truth is, the job should not take more than 4 hours and
the belt is only worth ~$50. If you have any mechanical skills, you should
be able to change it yourself in a day (maybe a weekend project).
Otherwise you should be able to change it at an independent shop for
~$300. To make sure they DO change it, paint a mark on the old belt
and ask them to give you the old part once they are done. Look for the
paint mark you made.
I hope this helps,

- JR

> Also one more question, the radiator seems to be losing half a litre of
> liquid every 2-3 days, although I don't see any water leaking out. A
friend
> of mine said it could be a cracked head gasket (I hope not!!), but there
is
> no indication of any mixture of oil and water. The hoses are fine. How
would
> I be able to test for a cracked head gasket?
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
>

> How would
> I be able to test for a cracked head gasket?
>
> Thanks

oxidation/rust on the sparkplugs
or a cole monoxide test on the cooling fluid

marcel

On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 00:13:06 GMT, marcel <w_coyote@wxs.nl> wrote:

>> How would
>> I be able to test for a cracked head gasket?
>>
>> Thanks
>
>oxidation/rust on the sparkplugs
>or a cole monoxide test on the cooling fluid

Cylinder Leakage Test. Listen/look for air in radiator..

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marcel wrote:
>
> > How would I be able to test for a cracked head gasket?
> >
> > Thanks
>
> oxidation/rust on the sparkplugs
> or a cole monoxide test on the cooling fluid
>

I've seen a few with some white crystals on the spark plugs though I've
never noticed any with rust.

Eric