Installing a new timing belt?

Sid77 · 11-01-2003, 07:43 AM

I just am trying to figure out if I should venture and try this myself or have a shop do it. I consider myself very mechanicaly inclined but am not sure how hard this is so if anyone has done it or knows exactly how to do it please help. Thanks Josh

Spectre927 · 11-01-2003, 06:53 PM

I was also considering this. But then I realized that there are numerous other things such as accesory belts, tensioner and water pump that should also be changed, so I ended up just having stupid ass pep boys do it. If you do have a shop do it, dont go to pep boys.

BullShifter · 11-01-2003, 10:28 PM

I'm sorry you went to Pep Boys, lol. I can't beleive they actually recommended & change the other stuff(water pump, belts, etc.)You could have purchased a factory repair manual to walk you through the process. Timing belt is not a quick job. It also would have been a good time for valve adjustment if it hasn't been done in the past 30K.

Pep Boys can't even mount tires without bending wheels.

Sid77 · 11-01-2003, 11:02 PM

This brings up more questions if i get the tensoiners and water pump and a manual how long will this take? Less than a day(8hr) or is this a two day thing?
Oh and where can I get a good Helms manual this is the one I've heard recomended the most(I think...).

BullShifter · 11-01-2003, 11:21 PM

Dont settle for anything less than the factory repair manual - www.helminc.com - they aren't the cheapest manual, but well worth it if you plan on doing work yourself.
I cant remember the exact "book time" but i think its 3-5hrs of labor(for the average tech.) I'd say 3-6hrs for your 1st time.
I recommend using Honda parts, T/belt, drive belts, w/pump, etc.

Spectre927 · 11-02-2003, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackasssi

I'm sorry you went to Pep Boys, lol. I can't beleive they actually recommended & change the other stuff(water pump, belts, etc.)You could have purchased a factory repair manual to walk you through the process. Timing belt is not a quick job. It also would have been a good time for valve adjustment if it hasn't been done in the past 30K.

Pep Boys can't even mount tires without bending wheels.

They actually didnt recommend that stuff. I called up a nother shop, and they told me like 450, pep boys said 230. I asked them, and then they said "oh yeah." I was at 107,000 miles. Id had it since 94,000.

BullShifter · 11-02-2003, 01:48 PM

Its ALWAYS a good idea to replace the w/pump while you have the covers - t/belt off. Just think, if your water pump were to go bad, most likely it will leak on your new t/belt. Coolant will ruin or break a t/belt so that would have to get replaced again. Water pump only add .5hrs of labor + parts.

Complete timing belt jobs are not cheap, but NEEDS to be done. $500 for t/belt, w/pump, etc. is a whole lot cheaper than a new engine! In "most" cases t/belts break @ high RPM and thats the worst time! Then the valves go crashing on the pistons, either resulting in bent valves and/or busted pistons.

4-Door Flunky · 11-04-2003, 01:06 PM

If you've never taken apart all the stuff you need to to change a timing belt, it'll take you two days.
After you've done it once you can cut the time down significantly.
I was also intimidated by all the stuff hanging around the timing cover, but I did manage to get the job done. It took a lot longer than I expected.
Also, I had serious trouble with the pulley nut. Get a shop somewhere to break it loose for you before you take it apart. I had to get my neighbor to come over to the house with his big compressor and air impact to get mine off.
Then I had trouble getting that front driver's side motor mount out. Couple of the bolts were stuck. Solved that problem with a 10 foot cheater pipe.
Good luck. If you intend to keep the car for another five years, or if you think you'll have another Honda/Acura car that you'll be working on in that time period, go ahead and learn how to do it yourself. It sucks balls the first time, but after that, you'll enjoy it. And you'll save $500.
I paid $350 to have a timing belt done last year, and it's a comfort to know, "NEVER AGAIN!"
Flunky

4-Door Flunky · 11-04-2003, 01:07 PM

PS-I spent $50 for a Beck/Arnley water pump and a tube of gasket sealer. Cleaning the gasket surface took me an hour by itself...then again, I didn't want it to leak on the new timing belt...

shaunthebadass · 11-07-2003, 10:24 PM

i just get my friends that just opened a nearby shop in hometown to do it......it costs me about $300 for parts and labor using all honda parts and tgakes the around 2.5 hrs to do

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