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Driving cross country in a 97 Civic; should I replace the timingbelt?
Hello all,
I know very little of cars, so I figured I'd get some input from anyone in this newsgroup. I have a 97 Honda Civic EX that I bought new. It's seen it's share of battles and the body isn't the most flawless one you'll see, but for the most part it runs pretty smoothly. It's just getting to 68,000 miles. I recently took it into the dealer for a regular maintenence, and they suggested that I replace the timing belt. I told them to pass, as I was initially planning on selling the car as I'm moving out to California. Well, as fate would have it it looks like I'll need to be taking the car with me after all. Furthermore I'll be driving it all the way (Ohio to California). So, my question is twofold: first, what EXACTLY does the timing belt do? I have a rough idea of how it works with the engine, but I'm fuzzy on exactly what it means performance and weare/tear wise. Which leads me into my next question: at almost 70,000 miles, would it be a good idea (both for efficiency and lifespan of the car) to replace the timing belt before I take it on such a long drive? I've seen/heard of people putting off a timing belt replacement for quite some time, so I was just unsure as to how imperative it is to get it fixed. Thanks in advance. |
Re: Driving cross country in a 97 Civic; should I replace the timing belt?
The timing belt synchronizes the valves with the pistons. I am not a
mechanic but it controls when the valves open and close to allow fuel to go into the pistons and let the fumes out (I am sure somebody has a better explanation). Do it, check your manual for recommendation interval. Don't do it at the dealer. Find a local Honda shop and it will be a lot less money, but be sure is a Honda shop so they know what needs to be done. What I did is buy the parts online (spend ~$100 including water pump) and my mechanic did it for ~$200. Be sure to use Honda parts only including the coolant. Do a google search for "timing belt". "Mitleid" <no@dice.net> wrote in message news:ENudnb1lfuAzI4XcRVn-hw@giganews.com... : Hello all, : I know very little of cars, so I figured I'd get some input from anyone : in this newsgroup. : I have a 97 Honda Civic EX that I bought new. It's seen it's share of : battles and the body isn't the most flawless one you'll see, but for the : most part it runs pretty smoothly. It's just getting to 68,000 miles. : I recently took it into the dealer for a regular maintenence, and they : suggested that I replace the timing belt. I told them to pass, as I was : initially planning on selling the car as I'm moving out to California. : Well, as fate would have it it looks like I'll need to be taking the car : with me after all. Furthermore I'll be driving it all the way (Ohio to : California). : So, my question is twofold: first, what EXACTLY does the timing belt : do? I have a rough idea of how it works with the engine, but I'm fuzzy : on exactly what it means performance and weare/tear wise. Which leads me : into my next question: at almost 70,000 miles, would it be a good idea : (both for efficiency and lifespan of the car) to replace the timing belt : before I take it on such a long drive? I've seen/heard of people putting : off a timing belt replacement for quite some time, so I was just unsure : as to how imperative it is to get it fixed. Thanks in advance. |
Re: Driving cross country in a 97 Civic; should I replace the timing belt?
The timing belt synchronizes the valves with the pistons. I am not a
mechanic but it controls when the valves open and close to allow fuel to go into the pistons and let the fumes out (I am sure somebody has a better explanation). Do it, check your manual for recommendation interval. Don't do it at the dealer. Find a local Honda shop and it will be a lot less money, but be sure is a Honda shop so they know what needs to be done. What I did is buy the parts online (spend ~$100 including water pump) and my mechanic did it for ~$200. Be sure to use Honda parts only including the coolant. Do a google search for "timing belt". "Mitleid" <no@dice.net> wrote in message news:ENudnb1lfuAzI4XcRVn-hw@giganews.com... : Hello all, : I know very little of cars, so I figured I'd get some input from anyone : in this newsgroup. : I have a 97 Honda Civic EX that I bought new. It's seen it's share of : battles and the body isn't the most flawless one you'll see, but for the : most part it runs pretty smoothly. It's just getting to 68,000 miles. : I recently took it into the dealer for a regular maintenence, and they : suggested that I replace the timing belt. I told them to pass, as I was : initially planning on selling the car as I'm moving out to California. : Well, as fate would have it it looks like I'll need to be taking the car : with me after all. Furthermore I'll be driving it all the way (Ohio to : California). : So, my question is twofold: first, what EXACTLY does the timing belt : do? I have a rough idea of how it works with the engine, but I'm fuzzy : on exactly what it means performance and weare/tear wise. Which leads me : into my next question: at almost 70,000 miles, would it be a good idea : (both for efficiency and lifespan of the car) to replace the timing belt : before I take it on such a long drive? I've seen/heard of people putting : off a timing belt replacement for quite some time, so I was just unsure : as to how imperative it is to get it fixed. Thanks in advance. |
Re: Driving cross country in a 97 Civic; should I replace the timingbelt?
Thanks, Bob.
That was my general understanding of the timing belt, as well. I actually wasn't planning on going to the dealer for any repairs; they charge an arm and a leg and I'm sure I could get it done for a LOT less somewhere else. I hadn't even thought of finding a Honda shop, though. Do you happen to have any recommendations about the best way to go about finding one in my area? Thanks again. Bob S. wrote: > The timing belt synchronizes the valves with the pistons. I am not a > mechanic but it controls when the valves open and close to allow fuel to go > into the pistons and let the fumes out (I am sure somebody has a better > explanation). > Do it, check your manual for recommendation interval. > Don't do it at the dealer. Find a local Honda shop and it will be a lot less > money, but be sure is a Honda shop so they know what needs to be done. > What I did is buy the parts online (spend ~$100 including water pump) and my > mechanic did it for ~$200. Be sure to use Honda parts only including the > coolant. > Do a google search for "timing belt". > > "Mitleid" <no@dice.net> wrote in message > news:ENudnb1lfuAzI4XcRVn-hw@giganews.com... > : Hello all, > : I know very little of cars, so I figured I'd get some input from anyone > : in this newsgroup. > : I have a 97 Honda Civic EX that I bought new. It's seen it's share of > : battles and the body isn't the most flawless one you'll see, but for the > : most part it runs pretty smoothly. It's just getting to 68,000 miles. > : I recently took it into the dealer for a regular maintenence, and they > : suggested that I replace the timing belt. I told them to pass, as I was > : initially planning on selling the car as I'm moving out to California. > : Well, as fate would have it it looks like I'll need to be taking the car > : with me after all. Furthermore I'll be driving it all the way (Ohio to > : California). > : So, my question is twofold: first, what EXACTLY does the timing belt > : do? I have a rough idea of how it works with the engine, but I'm fuzzy > : on exactly what it means performance and weare/tear wise. Which leads me > : into my next question: at almost 70,000 miles, would it be a good idea > : (both for efficiency and lifespan of the car) to replace the timing belt > : before I take it on such a long drive? I've seen/heard of people putting > : off a timing belt replacement for quite some time, so I was just unsure > : as to how imperative it is to get it fixed. Thanks in advance. > > |
Re: Driving cross country in a 97 Civic; should I replace the timingbelt?
Thanks, Bob.
That was my general understanding of the timing belt, as well. I actually wasn't planning on going to the dealer for any repairs; they charge an arm and a leg and I'm sure I could get it done for a LOT less somewhere else. I hadn't even thought of finding a Honda shop, though. Do you happen to have any recommendations about the best way to go about finding one in my area? Thanks again. Bob S. wrote: > The timing belt synchronizes the valves with the pistons. I am not a > mechanic but it controls when the valves open and close to allow fuel to go > into the pistons and let the fumes out (I am sure somebody has a better > explanation). > Do it, check your manual for recommendation interval. > Don't do it at the dealer. Find a local Honda shop and it will be a lot less > money, but be sure is a Honda shop so they know what needs to be done. > What I did is buy the parts online (spend ~$100 including water pump) and my > mechanic did it for ~$200. Be sure to use Honda parts only including the > coolant. > Do a google search for "timing belt". > > "Mitleid" <no@dice.net> wrote in message > news:ENudnb1lfuAzI4XcRVn-hw@giganews.com... > : Hello all, > : I know very little of cars, so I figured I'd get some input from anyone > : in this newsgroup. > : I have a 97 Honda Civic EX that I bought new. It's seen it's share of > : battles and the body isn't the most flawless one you'll see, but for the > : most part it runs pretty smoothly. It's just getting to 68,000 miles. > : I recently took it into the dealer for a regular maintenence, and they > : suggested that I replace the timing belt. I told them to pass, as I was > : initially planning on selling the car as I'm moving out to California. > : Well, as fate would have it it looks like I'll need to be taking the car > : with me after all. Furthermore I'll be driving it all the way (Ohio to > : California). > : So, my question is twofold: first, what EXACTLY does the timing belt > : do? I have a rough idea of how it works with the engine, but I'm fuzzy > : on exactly what it means performance and weare/tear wise. Which leads me > : into my next question: at almost 70,000 miles, would it be a good idea > : (both for efficiency and lifespan of the car) to replace the timing belt > : before I take it on such a long drive? I've seen/heard of people putting > : off a timing belt replacement for quite some time, so I was just unsure > : as to how imperative it is to get it fixed. Thanks in advance. > > |
Re: Driving cross country in a 97 Civic; should I replace the timing belt?
www.gates.com (search for "interference," as in 'interference engine'; click on
first hit; then view the first PDF file) says the TB interval for your 97 Honda Civic is 105,000 miles. Normally there's a time limit, too. For many (or all) 1990s Hondas, this is six years. Some models may go up to 7 years, but I can't remember for sure. Either way, your car is due for a new timing belt. Note that it is an interference engine, so if the timing belt fails (because you didn't replace it at the recommended interval), the chances of doing several thousand dollars worth of damage to the engine are high. Definitely replace it before your big trip. The pistons drive the crankshaft. At one end (the car's left) of the crankshaft is a (sprocket) pulley at about the height of your car's left front wheel's center. Over this sprocket pulley loops one end of the timing belt. The other (upper) end of the timing belt loops over the camshaft sprocket pulley. So the pistons drive the crankshaft which drives the timing belt which drives the camshaft. The camshaft (right underneath the valve cover, which has the oil fill cap which you've probably seen) controls exhaust and intake valve openings. The valves must open and close according to the piston position. The timing belt ensures they are synchronized ("timed") correctly. On interference engines, the valves are actually in the path of the piston's motion. If the valves get out of synch. with the pistons, they will be damaged. http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/find.html may have some suggestions for independent Honda mechanics in your area. Post your city, and others may very well post here with specific suggestions. (They have in the past.) Alternatively, check your yellow pages for Automobiles-Repairs or similar. Look for foreign/import auto repair shops. Call them up and ask about their Honda experience. Some independent shops are completely focused on Honda. Those are the ones I first roll the dice on. "Mitleid" <no@dice.net> wrote > Hello all, > I know very little of cars, so I figured I'd get some input from anyone > in this newsgroup. > I have a 97 Honda Civic EX that I bought new. It's seen it's share of > battles and the body isn't the most flawless one you'll see, but for the > most part it runs pretty smoothly. It's just getting to 68,000 miles. > I recently took it into the dealer for a regular maintenence, and they > suggested that I replace the timing belt. I told them to pass, as I was > initially planning on selling the car as I'm moving out to California. > Well, as fate would have it it looks like I'll need to be taking the car > with me after all. Furthermore I'll be driving it all the way (Ohio to > California). > So, my question is twofold: first, what EXACTLY does the timing belt > do? I have a rough idea of how it works with the engine, but I'm fuzzy > on exactly what it means performance and weare/tear wise. Which leads me > into my next question: at almost 70,000 miles, would it be a good idea > (both for efficiency and lifespan of the car) to replace the timing belt > before I take it on such a long drive? I've seen/heard of people putting > off a timing belt replacement for quite some time, so I was just unsure > as to how imperative it is to get it fixed. Thanks in advance. |
Re: Driving cross country in a 97 Civic; should I replace the timing belt?
www.gates.com (search for "interference," as in 'interference engine'; click on
first hit; then view the first PDF file) says the TB interval for your 97 Honda Civic is 105,000 miles. Normally there's a time limit, too. For many (or all) 1990s Hondas, this is six years. Some models may go up to 7 years, but I can't remember for sure. Either way, your car is due for a new timing belt. Note that it is an interference engine, so if the timing belt fails (because you didn't replace it at the recommended interval), the chances of doing several thousand dollars worth of damage to the engine are high. Definitely replace it before your big trip. The pistons drive the crankshaft. At one end (the car's left) of the crankshaft is a (sprocket) pulley at about the height of your car's left front wheel's center. Over this sprocket pulley loops one end of the timing belt. The other (upper) end of the timing belt loops over the camshaft sprocket pulley. So the pistons drive the crankshaft which drives the timing belt which drives the camshaft. The camshaft (right underneath the valve cover, which has the oil fill cap which you've probably seen) controls exhaust and intake valve openings. The valves must open and close according to the piston position. The timing belt ensures they are synchronized ("timed") correctly. On interference engines, the valves are actually in the path of the piston's motion. If the valves get out of synch. with the pistons, they will be damaged. http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/find.html may have some suggestions for independent Honda mechanics in your area. Post your city, and others may very well post here with specific suggestions. (They have in the past.) Alternatively, check your yellow pages for Automobiles-Repairs or similar. Look for foreign/import auto repair shops. Call them up and ask about their Honda experience. Some independent shops are completely focused on Honda. Those are the ones I first roll the dice on. "Mitleid" <no@dice.net> wrote > Hello all, > I know very little of cars, so I figured I'd get some input from anyone > in this newsgroup. > I have a 97 Honda Civic EX that I bought new. It's seen it's share of > battles and the body isn't the most flawless one you'll see, but for the > most part it runs pretty smoothly. It's just getting to 68,000 miles. > I recently took it into the dealer for a regular maintenence, and they > suggested that I replace the timing belt. I told them to pass, as I was > initially planning on selling the car as I'm moving out to California. > Well, as fate would have it it looks like I'll need to be taking the car > with me after all. Furthermore I'll be driving it all the way (Ohio to > California). > So, my question is twofold: first, what EXACTLY does the timing belt > do? I have a rough idea of how it works with the engine, but I'm fuzzy > on exactly what it means performance and weare/tear wise. Which leads me > into my next question: at almost 70,000 miles, would it be a good idea > (both for efficiency and lifespan of the car) to replace the timing belt > before I take it on such a long drive? I've seen/heard of people putting > off a timing belt replacement for quite some time, so I was just unsure > as to how imperative it is to get it fixed. Thanks in advance. |
dont change the belt! here's why.
while its true that the belt is supposed to have its belt changed most
people i know never change it. just because it says 60k doesnt mean its going to break at 60k. i have an accord with 220,000 miles on it and never had the belt replaced i will be doing that in a few months however....the timing belt can last past 60k miles and having one break on you that soon is so rare i dont think you need to worry about it.... if you get to california you might want to sell the car there. you might not be able to pass california emissions tests with an out of state car so you might have to sell it... why waste money on a belt if you are goihng to sell it? |
dont change the belt! here's why.
while its true that the belt is supposed to have its belt changed most
people i know never change it. just because it says 60k doesnt mean its going to break at 60k. i have an accord with 220,000 miles on it and never had the belt replaced i will be doing that in a few months however....the timing belt can last past 60k miles and having one break on you that soon is so rare i dont think you need to worry about it.... if you get to california you might want to sell the car there. you might not be able to pass california emissions tests with an out of state car so you might have to sell it... why waste money on a belt if you are goihng to sell it? |
Re: Driving cross country in a 97 Civic; should I replace the timing belt?
Hey,
If you plan on selling the car once you get to CA, or even if you don't plan on selling it, I wouldn't do the timing belt job right now. Given the amount of miles on your car and the age, how bad of shape could the belt be in? Probably none. When my Civic (2000) had around 70,000mi, I drove from the midwest, down to Virginia and back. No problems, no fear. Save the cash and put off the timing belt job for now. -AGS On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 08:25:31 -0400, Mitleid <no@dice.net> wrote: > Hello all, > I know very little of cars, so I figured I'd get some input from anyone > in this newsgroup. > I have a 97 Honda Civic EX that I bought new. It's seen it's share of > battles and the body isn't the most flawless one you'll see, but for the > most part it runs pretty smoothly. It's just getting to 68,000 miles. > I recently took it into the dealer for a regular maintenence, and they > suggested that I replace the timing belt. I told them to pass, as I was > initially planning on selling the car as I'm moving out to California. > Well, as fate would have it it looks like I'll need to be taking the car > with me after all. Furthermore I'll be driving it all the way (Ohio to > California). > So, my question is twofold: first, what EXACTLY does the timing belt > do? I have a rough idea of how it works with the engine, but I'm fuzzy > on exactly what it means performance and weare/tear wise. Which leads me > into my next question: at almost 70,000 miles, would it be a good idea > (both for efficiency and lifespan of the car) to replace the timing belt > before I take it on such a long drive? I've seen/heard of people putting > off a timing belt replacement for quite some time, so I was just unsure > as to how imperative it is to get it fixed. Thanks in advance. -- Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/ |
Re: Driving cross country in a 97 Civic; should I replace the timing belt?
Hey,
If you plan on selling the car once you get to CA, or even if you don't plan on selling it, I wouldn't do the timing belt job right now. Given the amount of miles on your car and the age, how bad of shape could the belt be in? Probably none. When my Civic (2000) had around 70,000mi, I drove from the midwest, down to Virginia and back. No problems, no fear. Save the cash and put off the timing belt job for now. -AGS On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 08:25:31 -0400, Mitleid <no@dice.net> wrote: > Hello all, > I know very little of cars, so I figured I'd get some input from anyone > in this newsgroup. > I have a 97 Honda Civic EX that I bought new. It's seen it's share of > battles and the body isn't the most flawless one you'll see, but for the > most part it runs pretty smoothly. It's just getting to 68,000 miles. > I recently took it into the dealer for a regular maintenence, and they > suggested that I replace the timing belt. I told them to pass, as I was > initially planning on selling the car as I'm moving out to California. > Well, as fate would have it it looks like I'll need to be taking the car > with me after all. Furthermore I'll be driving it all the way (Ohio to > California). > So, my question is twofold: first, what EXACTLY does the timing belt > do? I have a rough idea of how it works with the engine, but I'm fuzzy > on exactly what it means performance and weare/tear wise. Which leads me > into my next question: at almost 70,000 miles, would it be a good idea > (both for efficiency and lifespan of the car) to replace the timing belt > before I take it on such a long drive? I've seen/heard of people putting > off a timing belt replacement for quite some time, so I was just unsure > as to how imperative it is to get it fixed. Thanks in advance. -- Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/ |
Re: dont change the belt! here's why.
On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 20:48:01 GMT, "lamont" <lamont@microsoft.com>
wrote: >while its true that the belt is supposed to have its belt changed most >people i know never change it. just because it says 60k doesnt mean its >going to break at 60k. i have an accord with 220,000 miles on it and never >had the belt replaced i will be doing that in a few months however....the >timing belt can last past 60k miles and having one break on you that soon is >so rare i dont think you need to worry about it.... if you get to california >you might want to sell the car there. you might not be able to pass >california emissions tests with an out of state car so you might have to >sell it... why waste money on a belt if you are goihng to sell it? .... You don't say. |
Re: dont change the belt! here's why.
On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 20:48:01 GMT, "lamont" <lamont@microsoft.com>
wrote: >while its true that the belt is supposed to have its belt changed most >people i know never change it. just because it says 60k doesnt mean its >going to break at 60k. i have an accord with 220,000 miles on it and never >had the belt replaced i will be doing that in a few months however....the >timing belt can last past 60k miles and having one break on you that soon is >so rare i dont think you need to worry about it.... if you get to california >you might want to sell the car there. you might not be able to pass >california emissions tests with an out of state car so you might have to >sell it... why waste money on a belt if you are goihng to sell it? .... You don't say. |
Re: dont change the belt! here's why.
lamont wrote:
> > while its true that the belt is supposed to have its belt changed most > people i know never change it. just because it says 60k doesnt mean its > going to break at 60k. i have an accord with 220,000 miles on it and never > had the belt replaced i will be doing that in a few months however The recommended interval for changing the timing belt is 6 years or 90,000 miles. This interval is based on an average rate of failure. Some belts may fail earlier while others last longer. Exceed the interval at your own risk. If the belt breaks then the valves will get bent. It's not worth the risk. It's unlikely that a timing belt would last 220,000 miles. If you're not the original owner of this vehicle, then consider it likely that a prior owner had this work done. > if you get to california you might want to sell the car there. you might > not be able to pass california emissions tests with an out of state car > so you might have to sell it... why waste money on a belt if you are > goihng to sell it? What is the basis for this claim? As long as the car is running within the factory specs then it should pass california emissions. A more logical reason for the original poster to wait to replace the timing belt might be that they wish to wait until they get situated in their new area. That way, if there was a problem with the work then they would still be dealing with a local shop and not one 2-3000 miles away. Incidentally, I changed my '88 Civic's belt at 8 years and 75,000 miles. Eric |
Re: dont change the belt! here's why.
lamont wrote:
> > while its true that the belt is supposed to have its belt changed most > people i know never change it. just because it says 60k doesnt mean its > going to break at 60k. i have an accord with 220,000 miles on it and never > had the belt replaced i will be doing that in a few months however The recommended interval for changing the timing belt is 6 years or 90,000 miles. This interval is based on an average rate of failure. Some belts may fail earlier while others last longer. Exceed the interval at your own risk. If the belt breaks then the valves will get bent. It's not worth the risk. It's unlikely that a timing belt would last 220,000 miles. If you're not the original owner of this vehicle, then consider it likely that a prior owner had this work done. > if you get to california you might want to sell the car there. you might > not be able to pass california emissions tests with an out of state car > so you might have to sell it... why waste money on a belt if you are > goihng to sell it? What is the basis for this claim? As long as the car is running within the factory specs then it should pass california emissions. A more logical reason for the original poster to wait to replace the timing belt might be that they wish to wait until they get situated in their new area. That way, if there was a problem with the work then they would still be dealing with a local shop and not one 2-3000 miles away. Incidentally, I changed my '88 Civic's belt at 8 years and 75,000 miles. Eric |
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