How hard is it to replace a timing belt on a 2000 Honda Civic?

Question

I have not done any real work on cars for a number of years. The occational alternator and oil changes. I would like to know if I could pull off doing this timing belt thing on my own. Is there that much to it? Does it take any wierd tools? Or would it be easier to pay someone to do it. I have all the basic tools for regular maintenace. Does the car need to be re-timed when I am done?

Answer 1

Well it is a time consuming job, but not terribly difficult. As the engine is transverse mounted there is very little clearance in which to work and you have to be a little bit of a contortionist and have a reasoable number of adapters and extensions to get into the tight places. There may additionally be a couple of TORX fittings, though I cannot recall if Honda uses those in place of Allen fittings where flush mounted hands are required for clearance.

Also, as I recall, Honda recommends changing the water pump when you change the belt, as you have done most of the work to get access to it when you do a belt change and it would be a shame to have done all of that only to have to be back in there again should the water pump fail.

As to changing the belt, there are a couple of covers to remove and often some components are in the way. It varies from car to car, but it is not unusual to have to remove things like air filter housings, radiator reservoirs, windshield wiper tanks, and sometimes even starter motors and alternators. It just depends upon what you find in the way.

Any good Chilton's or Haynes manual will detail the procedure for changing the belt itself, and how to get the timing right when you do.

It is terribly important, of course, that the cam shaft and crank shaft pulleys remain in precisely the same relationship to one another that they are now in. If one rotates even a tooth out of the current relationship they car will run very poorly, if at all. Fortunately, Hondas are what are called "non-interference" engines, which means that even with a valve fully extended it can never get low enough to strike a piston when it is at the top of its range. Accordingly, if you get it wrong the worst that happens is that your car either will not run, or will run badly, but no internal damage to the valves or pistons will result. and then you will have to go back and recheck your timing marks.

On most cars you will have to remove the old belt before you can put the new one on, and so you will have to refer to the manual for aligning the timing marks. However, sometimes there is just enough room on the cam and crank pulleys to push the belt to the innner edge and slip on the edge of the new belt on the outer. If so, then timing is assured and one just takes a sharp blade, cuts off the old belt to get it out of the way, and then slides the new belt on the remainder of the way.

Now one other important thing to do is, after the new belt is in place, but before you have put everything else back together, you put a large wrench or socket and rachet on the crank shaft bolt and turn the engine over a few times, just to make sure it turns smoothly to assure that you have assembled it properly. Turning it over slowly will apply far less stress to the system if something is awry than would a starter motor.

Also, do not buy a cheap belt. Get the belt from the dealer. You may pay $15 or $20 more for it, but in that the far greater investment here is your time, as this can take a shade-tree mechanic several hours, it is not worth scrimping on a belt that may fail prematurely.

Answer 2

Changing a timing belt is not excessively difficult. Typcially its getting to it that's the most difficult. Especially how they pack the engines into the vehicles these days.

The other important thing is making sure everything is properly re-assembled before starting the engine. This especially means making sure the timing is correct before re-assembling everything. If the timing is off by even one tooth, you could have pistons hitting valves and requiring major engine repair.

To answer all your little questions:
Typically a timing belt replacement does not need any "weird" tools. You'll need a good pry bar and a breaker bar to remove the bolt typically attached to the harmonic balancer (the hardest part to remove). If you have an air gun, it would probably be the best.
It would definitely be easier to pay someone to do it, but it's not an impossible job for someone who is mechanically inclined and if it's your first time, give yourself at least the weekend to get the job done.

Answer 3

If your car is at the point where you need the timing belt changed, I would suggest bringing it in for service regardless of whether you can do it yourself or not. Events such as this should provide you the excise to get a professional once-over to see if there is anything else near failure as well that you cannot visually inspect by lifting the hood.

This idea may be a bit more expensive then you want, but investing a little money in a 7 year old Honda is an excellent investment as this car could easily run for 15 years if well maintained.

Answer 4

If you know how to follow instructions you can do anything, don't be scare to do anything if you know you can do it. To change a timing belt is easy. Go to Auto Zone and buy the Book of the year and model of your car. Them read it very carefully. Honda have a tensioner pulley that lose the belt. You maybe need help of someone to hold the tensioner when they pull it when you change the belt. If the socket handle is short, look for a long iron tube put it in the handle to help you to pulled. is easier that way. I am a woman and I did change the water pump of my Honda Accord of 2004. including put new belt. I did follow the book instructions and it work. Honda wanted $878.00 to do it for me. Hell no!!! I said.
I went to Auto Zone and to do it my self it cost me just $85.95. Whoa!!! True.

Also don't be shy of asking for help to people that work in garages, ask them where is located the tensioner. if you don't know where. and ask them to show you. some people are nice and can tell you how.

Don't be afraid but always take pictures before you start your job so you can remember how to put it back if you don't know how. Follow book instructions as well.

Good luck!!!

Answer 5

"No Starter Fluid!! Engine Damage Possible" Replace the EGR & o2 Sensor, (Timing Belt Life is 80,000 to 100.000) check for bad Belt. Loud Whistling Sound could be a Bad Intake Manifold Gasket. "Battery Light with key no and engine not running is normal.

Answer 6

its not too hard. you'll find more frustration in the fact that you have to take a bunch of stuff off the car to be able to get at the belt. they really cram that engine in there.

Answer 7

dont do it without shop manual....just b cause u can turn a wrench doesn't mean u wouldn't mess up timing and ruin engine. the timing belt set up and running engine timimg are 2 different things....

Answer 8

Is it your car? If so...go buy a repair manual for it. $20 and decide for yourself.

When ever I buy a car (used), that's one of the FIRST things I buy for it.

Answer 9

Good luck if you try. i suggest you take it to someone who knows what to do

Answer 10

If you have to ask-
It is too hard for you.