I drive a 97 Civic DX Coupe. It is at almost 120,000 miles. Contrary to popular belief and what mechanics would have you believe, the user manual provided my the manufacturer clearly advises the timing belt replacement at 120,000.
I left my job more than an year ago to go back to school and am about to graduate in about 4 months. While a preventive timing belt replacement would be, ideal I am too poor to be able to afford one. I want to know if there are any warning signs that I could lookout for to know that it is failing ? Any advice would be greatly welcome.
Thanks !!
P.S. The car spent its' earlier years in the North-East and has running in Texas now since the last year and a half.
2006-10-20 06:24:34 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Look under your hood where the timing belt is, check to see if
it is starting to crack or sounds like a screeching noise. If it is
one of these go and fix it now don't wait until later, you'll regret
it because you'll be stranded somewhere and it''ll only cost you
more, due to that you will have to pay for the tow truck. The belt's
doesn't cost that much. Call to your nearest Auto Zone and get
a price check. Make sure you give him your make and model of
the car and the motor size, it'll be easier for him to look up.
Once you get the part find someone that KNOWS how to replace
it or find a small garage to put it on for you, they will only charge
you for the labor. Some could charge you as little as $50.
2006-10-20 06:35:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately there typically is no warning signs. Or the only way to know is to open up the timing belt cover and inspect it, and if you're going to open the timing belt cover, you might as well replace the belt.
At 120K miles for a timing belt replacement seems like a long time. I'd be really worried. Honda only places interference fit engines in their vehicles so if the timing belt breaks, you'll need a new engine to keep the car moving because if the belt breaks, you'll typically need new pistons and valves.
I would seriously advise getting the timing belt replaced. It really isn't worth a new engine or the cost of having to replace an entire engine. Which is why I buy Toyotas, since most toyota engines with belts are non-interference fit engines! (With exceptions to the Supra's engine! :-p)
2006-10-20 06:29:23 · answer #2 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Timing Belt Symptoms
2016-11-14 21:07:05 · answer #3 · answered by wysong 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The plain answer is, one of two things can happen. The belt will remain good, or it will break. If it does break, the engine will suffer damage because Hondas have interference engines. This means the valves will hit the pistons if the belt breaks.
However, when making these mileage suggestions, it is always better to go with a bump margin as far as the automakers are concerned. They suggest it at 60k, 75k or 120k, but they are most probably figuring in an additonal 10% or so.
Why would they tell you 120k if they know it only lasts 120k?
I would just drive it like an old lady with blue hair, and you'll save money on gas as well.
2006-10-20 06:36:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Timing Belt early warning signs ?
I drive a 97 Civic DX Coupe. It is at almost 120,000 miles. Contrary to popular belief and what mechanics would have you believe, the user manual provided my the manufacturer clearly advises the timing belt replacement at 120,000.
I left my job more than an year ago to go back to school and am...
2015-08-08 16:16:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate to break this to you, but a timing belt has to be replaced at a certain interval because they don't give any warning at all when they're going to break. if your engine isn't a non-interference engine, when the belt breaks, you'll be looking at several thousand dollars to change the engine. beg or borrow the money and get the belt replaced
2006-10-20 06:33:27 · answer #6 · answered by kapute2 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's why they recommend changing it by mileage. They look at the mileage when they fail, and do an average because there ARE NO WARNING SIGNS.
Ask yourself this. Can you afford the tow, and then replacing the belt, and fixing other possible problems later better than you can afford changing it now and knowing you are okay? Your choice.
2006-10-20 06:29:54 · answer #7 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No warning signs that I know of, if and when it goes the repairs will be triple the belt replacement
2006-10-20 06:31:51 · answer #8 · answered by nikowrench72 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. About 1 thousanth of a second before the pistons smash into the valves you experience a loss of power.
You'll probably be OK for another 40,000.
2006-10-20 12:27:20 · answer #9 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your car makes a clicking/ratteling noise while running, it's time to replace the timing belt. You don't want to be driving it when breaks!
2006-10-20 06:27:33 · answer #10 · answered by Mom of One in Wisconsin 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋