Why is Honda still using a timing belt, instead of a timing chain?
Why would they not switch to a chain and eliminate this high cost
maintenance item?

"Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:vF3rd.1093$Dm2.625@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
> I've seen numerous broken timing belts. Some are disastrous and some are
> just a nuisance. It all depends on whether your motor is an "interference
> motor" or not. That means, is their any space between the piston and any
> hung open valve. If there is space then internal damage will not occur.
> You
> would have to tow the car to repair it and replace your timing belt and
> any
> other needed belts or items due for that type of maintenance. If there is
> no
> room between pistons and valves or your engine is an "interference motor"
> then when your motor is running (spinning) and your timing belt breaks the
> piston will smash in to the open valves and bend them. Depending on how
> fast
> your engine was turning (RPM) you may bend a majority or all your valves.
> You may even damage a piston. All bent valves and damaged pistons would
> need
> to be replaced if you wanted the engine to run again. I've seen the costs
> run from about $300 for no engine damage to a couple of thousand to
> replace
> valves and/or piston(s). Sometimes the cause is a frozen belt tensioner
> which should be inspected when repairing and replaced.
> Most of the time the failure has occurred after the factory specified
> mileage period for replacement when owners have ignored the maintenance
> schedules. But I have seen a few that have failed before the specified
> interval, though that is rare. It all depends on how a vehicle is
> maintained
> and under what conditions the vehicle is operated under. Normal or severe
> conditions require different timetables of maintenance.
> The most frequent end result I've seen is people will follow the
> recommended
> service intervals after going through that experience and then not have
> that
> problem again.
> And that is usually all that is required to make a Honda last and be
> dependable. Just follow the recommended service intervals from the
> factory.
> Don't let anyone sell you a service you don't need, such as an engine
> flush,
> transmission flush or anything beyond the factory intervals. If you follow
> them you usually won't need these unnecessary services because your Honda
> has been properly maintained.
> Howard
> "Hank" <jdoe@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:K6ednftGX45K9zHcRVn-uw@rogers.com...
>> Just wondering if anyone on this newsgroup has had a timing belt break on
>> them
>> and would like to share the experience with the group?
>> The conditions at the time, such as the age and make of vehicle,
>> mileage, damage that occurred, cost to repaid and end results.
>>
>> "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:ECZqd.883$Dm2.552@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
>> > DO NOT WAIT!
>> > You do not want to wait for something to happen. If your belt breaks
>> > you
>> > can
>> > cause major engine damage. That $800. figure will pale in comparison.
> When
>> > a
>> > timing belt fails, there is no warning, so don't be fooled by how your
> car
>> > runs.
>> > If it were my car, I'd bring it to my dealer. I'd want to be sure that
>> > it's
>> > done right and with the best quality parts. Avoid all "back alley"
>> > guys.
>> > But
>> > if you do it outside of your dealer be sure of three things. First, be
>> > sure
>> > to do it right. Change all of the following: timing belt, balance belt,
>> > alternator belt, power steering belt, air conditioner belt, water pump,
>> > camshaft seal, balance shaft seal (make sure you have a retainer for
> this
>> > seal which was added by Honda later) and crankshaft seal and use Honda
>> > antifreeze to prevent any damage to your cooling system from the wrong
>> > coolant. Second, as I said before, use original Honda parts. They WILL
>> > last
>> > longest. Third, if your dealer does it, fine. If you do it elsewhere,
>> > be
>> > sure that person/shop is not just an experienced mechanic but is a
>> > Honda
>> > specialist. These three steps are the key to be lucky enough to have
>> > the
>> > opportunity to get you to be able to spend this much and more for the
> next
>> > time at 180,000 miles!
>> > Good luck,
>> > Howard
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Mike" <powerpNOSPAM@yahoo.com>
>> > Newsgroups: alt.autos.honda
>> > Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 12:05 AM
>> > Subject: '96 Accord 90K preventive maintenance
>> >
>> >
>> >> Hi,
>> >>
>> >> 1st time on here...
>> >>
>> >> Honda recommends preventive maintenance replacement of water pump and
>> > timing
>> >> belt at 90K.
>> >> I'm at 91K now and things are running fine with my '96 Accord coupe
> (4cyl
>> >> Vtec auto).
>> >> Should I have it done now by Honda ($800), find a good back-alley guy,
> or
>> >> just wait for something to happen?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks in advance,
>> >>
>> >> Mike
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>