Need Timing Belt Replaced -Can I handle it?

[Rickpatbrown]

Hey there,

My girlfriend has a 2000 CR-V. I think that its the SE. She has 145,000 miles on it and has done no maintenance besides changing the oil and air filter according to Jiffy Lube's wims. I had to replace her front rotors and brakes and went ahead and purchased the Haynes for her car. Changed the spark plugs and and wires while I was getting dirty. Her gaps in the old plugs were about 0.09 inches and looked a little ashy (hot engine?). I also think that the engine is burning oil because I only filled two quarts with the old oil and put 4 quarts in.

Any comments on the above??

My question is as stated in the subject. Is replacing the timing belt something that I can do competently?

My mechanical knowledge is limited. It has become a hobby in the past 3 months out of neccesity, in that I replaced the lower intake manifold gasket of my 99 Buick Regal. I'm pretty careful about how I go about doing things and I follow directions well.

[BullShifter]

If you can do a lower intake gasket on a 3.8L I'm sure you can do a T/belt. Being a DOHC makes it a bit more difficult than a SOHC or a V6. A manual will make things a lot easier. Besides lining up all the timing marks and getting the new belt on, taking out the crank bolt is the hardest thing. Even with a impact some times the bolts wont crack loose. We have a special Honda crank holder and use a jack handle on a breaker bar to break them loose.

If you do the job get the parts from Honda! You should replace the following:
Timing belt
Assy. drive belts(3)
Water pump
Valve cover gasket & tube seal
Coolant

It's a good idea to adjust the valves while the valve cover is off. Other things to consider cap/rotor(Honda parts), fuel filter, trans fluid(Honda stuff whether it's manual or auto), rear diif fluid if it's AWD(Honda stuff Dual Pump fluid) Cabin air filter, brake fluid.

[Rickpatbrown]

How long do you think it will take to do the timing belt? It took me almost 30 hours to do the LIM gasket. I'm sure I could do the gasket in 15 or so if I had to do it again.

She appears to be having some transmission problems as well. The car doesn't get moving when you accelerate from a stop, especially when you are stopped going up a hill. The engine revs, but the tires don't move. I suggested taking it to a trans shop. Am I right in saying that she should NOT get a trans flush? Being that she has never had the trans serviced, I've read that this can cause serious problems.

[BullShifter]

Originally Posted by Rickpatbrown

How long do you think it will take to do the timing belt? It took me almost 30 hours to do the LIM gasket. I'm sure I could do the gasket in 15 or so if I had to do it again.

She appears to be having some transmission problems as well. The car doesn't get moving when you accelerate from a stop, especially when you are stopped going up a hill. The engine revs, but the tires don't move. I suggested taking it to a trans shop. Am I right in saying that she should NOT get a trans flush? Being that she has never had the trans serviced, I've read that this can cause serious problems.

If I remember right the labor time is 5 hrs on the t/belt. I'm not sure how long it would actually take you being your first time. It doesn't take me long but I've done many, have all the tools, and a lift.

Once a Honda has trans issues changing the fluid by any method isn't going to help long term. It might help short term. OMG, never service? That thing should get a drain and fill every 30K! Sounds like an unmaintained vehicle.

[Rickpatbrown]

Originally Posted by BullShifter

OMG, never service? That thing should get a drain and fill every 30K! Sounds like an unmaintained vehicle.

When she told her Mom I was doing a tune up, her mom replied "Who even does that these days?" -I don't blame my girlfriend. She was never taught any better.

Quite frankly, I'm surprised the car is still running. We just took it on a 600 mile round trip to the mountains. I was nervous the whole ride.

I wonder if it's even worth me changing the timing belt if her trans is going.