How to check if Timing Belt needs change? - Honda Prelude Forum

Heero · 05-28-2002, 02:13 PM

Does anyone know how to tell if the timing belt needs a change? I'm very concern about it because I bought it 5 months ago and now I'm worrying if the past owner didn't change it or something.

Also, how much was it for you guys who had theirs changed?

Is it easy changing it yourself?

Mark94 · 05-28-2002, 03:47 PM

Typically there are no signs that a belt is ready to snap. Sometimes you may notice that it is fraying or cracking but in most cases you will have no warning signs.

It is recommended that you change the belt every 90,000 miles or every six years whichever comes first. If you don't know if the previous owner had the belts changed then they probably weren't. If you received no prior maintenance records from the previous owner or the dealership you bought it from then you can only assume it was not done. I would consider having it done or taking it Honda and have them inspect the belts because if the timing belt goes while driving you are going to do a lot of damage to your valve train.

If you decide to have this done then have all your drive belts changed as well as your water pump. Your water pump has to be removed in order to change the belt so it is a good idea to have the pump changed at that time. Also, inspect your cam seals while everything is open, especially the seal on the distributor side (this seal is known to be very weak and prone to leak). I had to have my seal replaced and it would have been cheaper if I took care of it when the timing belt was done.

I took mine to a local mechanic and had the belt done, all drive belts, tensioner replaced and the water pump replaced for $470. There is a number to go by, but it will be considerably more at the dealership.

Good luck.

Mark

MURPHYX232 · 05-28-2002, 06:08 PM

Just a little FYI about my experience with a timing belt snapping. Mine decided to go while I was on the highway, so when it happened all the valves in my engine melted together. BYE BYE engine. $4000 dollars later my car was back to good. Spend the $400-$500 bucks now before the same happens to you.

Mike Murphy

phatfarm · 05-28-2002, 06:19 PM

Whenver I buy a HONDA I always change the belt/balancer belt/water pump and seals... ALWAYS even if the guy said he changed it, , not worth LOOSING your motor... Trust me..

Heero · 05-28-2002, 09:47 PM

dam, now i'm gonna for sure change the timing belt...

red92si · 05-29-2002, 02:20 AM

I bought my Prelude with 93k on it. The first thing I did was change the timing belt, and water pump. Its the cardinal rule to change the timing belt whenever you buy a Honda, cause if that thing goes... your pretty much f**ked.

millhouse · 05-29-2002, 09:26 AM

I bought my car with 92k, last friday with 118k SNAP!! All valves are bent, pistons are damaged and suspected rod bearings damage due to the fact that the rod bearings are soft and the piston crushing my valve may have left pits on my bearings. Long story short, $2100 for a 62k motor, new timing belt, pump, clutch and ported and polished intake manifold installed with 6 month warranty. And I had just talked to my mechanic 5 days before about changing it!!

XtremeMan · 07-16-2002, 07:14 PM

what causes them to break? Is it just the age of the belt? my parents told me that it breaks due to high speeds and flooring it on the starts...i wanna know if they just told me that so I dont speed or if they are right about it. Please reply and lemme know im really curious.

-xtrememan

XtremeMan · 07-16-2002, 10:03 PM

cuz I've been driving my lude like a madman here recently so im really curious.

-xtrememan