I have a 2006 Honda Civic with 175k miles on it. We changed the timing belt at 90k, as the manual instructed. I'm wondering if it makes sense to change it at 180k or not.
The car is worth about $1200, and changing a timing belt in this car is costly ($600 - $900) because the engine has to be removed to do it. Seems like a lot of money to pay on a car that isn't worth very much to begin with.
2007-08-27 11:06:10 · 14 answers · asked by alicia_singh 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Honda
we have had zero issues with this car, and have kept it well maintained. We do tune-ups every 7500 miles, and oil changes in between the tune-ups.
2007-08-27 11:15:28 · update #1
my mistake - major typo :)
1996 honda, not 2006!
2007-08-27 11:19:55 · update #2
How in the world did you put 175xxx miles on a 2006, I don't have that many on my 94 chev pick-up? Those must be highway miles which are easy on a car, so my answer would be yes I would keep the car if it has been a good car, and change the belt. I think it would be worth more than just $1200 also, might want to check on that one more time. Bluebook value
OK, 1996 sounds better, I would deal with this in a different manner. I would drive the car till it quit running while putting a car payment in the bank each month saving up for the replacement vehicle.
2007-08-27 11:27:39 · answer #1 · answered by frfiter 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not too hard to change a timing belt. It has to have cogs in order to keep the camshaft in perfect relationship to the crankshaft that drives it. So when it is changed, it is not just a question of loosening tension and slipping the old one and new one on. The timing marks on the crank have to first be lines up, then the cover taken off the camshaft it checked for alignment as well. Then there are the pieces of the cover to keep oil off the belt. It takes usually about an hour, depending on the car. And the belts is usually around $30. So we are talking less than $200 normally. But if you wait, and throw the belt, it can be worse. On about a third of the cars out there, you risk serious valve damage. That could run more like $1200. So change the belt about every 5 years. The number of miles hardly matters, since it is more the age deterioration of the belt from oil, etc. In contrast, a transmission is much heavier so is harder to exchange, and the inside of the transmission is much more complex. Transmission rebuilds run more like $3000 with install. Although you can get a salvage one installed for more like $900.
2016-05-19 04:27:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you drive this thing non stop. 175k in less than 2 years. Never heard of having to remove a motor to replace the timing belt. The car should be worth more than $1200 for a 06
2007-08-27 11:18:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do a lot of driving. Since it has to be highway driving, I would let it go for a while. If it goes, it goes. You should be able to get at least 5-600 out of it being so new, even it the engine is trashed. You are no worse off for wear. If it doesn't break, then you are that much ahead.
Although you can't put it off forever, if you plan on keeping the car for some time. Good luck to you.
2007-08-27 11:17:37 · answer #4 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It makes perfect sense. The timing belt is made of rubber and will eventually fail. When it fails, you are looking a two to three times that to put an engine in the car.
I would be more than willing to pay you $1200.00 for a 2006 Civic.
2007-08-27 11:16:41 · answer #5 · answered by Michael C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you plan to keep the car, do the belt. the way you take care of this car, you should see over 200k. Minor tune ups should last at least 15,000mi. If you can get the car up here to Montana, I will do the job for 400.00 and thats with a water pump. Good luck
2007-08-27 17:47:11 · answer #6 · answered by Alan Zubie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How in the world did you put that many miles on this car? It is only a year old. In any event, the timing belt is going at least another 40k.
2007-08-27 11:18:58 · answer #7 · answered by milton b 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The car is probably worth more than $1200, if maintained like you say, the car will run at least another 200,000 miles. If you plan to keep it, chg it. If you don't plan to keep it, dont.
2007-08-27 18:11:41 · answer #8 · answered by katralee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I put over 350k on my prelude. If you plan on keeping the car, change the belt. Otherwise...just play highway roulette until it dies. But you might call a local High School or Trade School to see if they might change it for a lot less.
2007-08-27 11:16:21 · answer #9 · answered by bearbear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A timing belt is something you can do yourself much cheaper. But if you don't want to just drive it... odds are the tranny or the A/C will go first anyway. Civic will run forever if you just do minor maintenance.
2007-08-27 15:45:08 · answer #10 · answered by artsy5347 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋