timing belt of 97 civix

My wifes Civic has 140K miles on it and I was wondering how long doe a timing belt usually last on one of these cars. I don't want it to go out and runi the engine but I don't want to chnage it too soon either. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Rick

Change it NOW if it's never been change - Should be done every 90K or 72 months! It's better to change it early rather than too late. I HIGHLY recommend replacing the water pump @ the same time. Besides the timing belt & water pump, replacing the drive belts & a valve adjustment is not a bad idea while it's all apart - valve adjustment should be done every 30K or so.

thanks jack. Would you thinks this is something that a "weekend" mechaniic could do with limited tools(wrenches, rachets, sockets, etc.), but no power tools (other then a dremmel)?

I have changed several water pumps, not on Hondas but on american made cars and a toyota, so I can turn a wrench, but is there a concern about not getting the timing belt lined up properly?

Rick

I think a "weekend" mechanic should be able to the job. It's just time consuming, especially your first few times. Book time for the "average tech" is 4hrs(i think for t/belt - w/pump). If you do choose to do the job, I recommend a Honda timing belt & water pump for replacement. Now when it comes to the crank bolt, that will be a bitch to remove with hand tools, impact highly advised. At the shop we have a 3/4" impact(750 lb-ft) just for this purpose and that even struggles on some, others the tiny 3/8" gun would have done the job.

I'll post links for a '91 civic/crx t/belt replacement so you can get an idea of what the job involves. If you don't have access to the correct repair manual, you could always copy the pages needed at a Honda dealer.
Support the engine using a block of wood on a jack - placed under oil pan
Bunch of links:
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/images/91-6-25.jpg
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/images/91-6-26.jpg
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/images/91-6-27.jpg
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/images/91-6-28.jpg
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/images/91-6-29.jpg
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/images/91-10-7.jpg
http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/images/91-10-8.jpg

Welcome to AF, btw :wave: