Thanks. I was definately going to change the water pump after reading other
sources. I hadn't thought of the tensioner and will get a price on it. Since
I plan to put 300,000 ( I commute 33k per year) miles on this car, I want to
keep it in good service and preventive maintenance is always cheaper than
repairs.

Mike

"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
news:CsydnW_cupQc4yDfRVn-rQ@sedona.net...
> "Mike Lewis" <jmpj@cableone.net> wrote in message
> news:11bn441dds7obe8@corp.supernews.com...
> >I have 100k miles on my civic which I bought new. When I get the timing
> >belt
> > replaced, what other components should I have replaced while they are
> > changing the belt?
> >
> > mike
> >
> >
> It's controversial, but I am with the people who believe the water pump
> should be changed at the same time. Some have kept the original water pump
> over 200K miles, but I don't think that's the smart way to bet. It is
> reasonably priced and the labor to change it once the timing belt is off
is
> small. Same thing on the crank and cam seals - cheap and easy at that
point,
> although they are a rare failure. Also the seals won't destroy your engine
> if they fail, like the water pump can. My belief was sealed when a member
of
> the Volvo group reported his water pump seized a year after he had the
belt
> replaced, and it cost him bent valves. Seals optional, water pump not.
>
> There's also a belt tensioner - two in some engines - that is probably
> getting pretty ragged (the sealed bearing will sound like an old roller
> skate wheel) after 100K. It is in the same price range as the water pump,
> but if you can afford it the peace of mind is worthwhile.
>
> Mike
>
>