"Pankaj" <sharmapankaj@gmail.com> wrote
> Sorry if this question is asked thousands of times.
> I will make it as simple as possible.
> I have 99 Civic EX and it has done 95K.
> I purchased it from a lady who wasn't sure about timing
> belt was
> changed .she said she got some belts changed. She didn't
> know much
> about the CAR and service. I got it checked before buying
> and the
> mechanic told me that he cannot check the state of TB.
> There is a lot
> of work involved. My questions:
>
> 1) Can I get it(TB) checked?

No, it's impossible to tell much by just looking at a timing
belt.

For "normal driving," the timing belt for the 99 Civic is
due for replacement at 105k miles or seven years, whichever
comes first. Unless the former owner was a pushover, then it
seems more likely that the belt has not yet been changed.

This interval is listed in the owner's manual linked via
http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id9.html .

Do you have an owner's manual? Start using the free online
one linked above to identify what maintenance should be done
on your car. Lurk here, too, to learn important details
about maintenance! :-)

At what mileage did you buy this car?

> If yes then how much it would cost me? I
> guess a lot.
> 2) What is the cost involved in changing of TB (without
> pumps and with
> pumps) and other things which usually go with TB change?

Based on recent reports here, $500 to $700 seems to be the
going rate, with independent shops generally charging less.
This should include a new water pump and possibly also a
balance shaft belt for your Civic. I recommend doing the
water pump, too, for peace of mind. It's about $50 of the
price, and the labor for the belt and pump overlap
significantly.

> 3) I am in east coast near DC. Any suggestions who should
> be the best
> for this job. I know dealers are good but the expenses at
> their shops
> are very high.

An independent import shop might do just as good a job as
the dealer, but it's more likely the dealer will do this job
100% correctly. For at TB replacement, you pay more at the
dealer, but arguably you do get more.

You could ask the original owner if she ever had a bill
upwards of say $350 or so for "belts." If so, this would
most likely be a timing belt.

If you really can't be sure of whether the belt has been
changed, then have it changed as soon as possible. Your
Honda's engine can be seriously damaged if the belt fails,
to the tune of a few thousand dollars or a total loss. We do
get reports of timing belts failing here.

Other tips for keeping your Honda running optimally appear
at:

http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id9.html