You should get the timing belt changed. It is 12 years old and 40 k
miles over what is recommended.

The timing belt drives your camshaft, which in turn operate your valves.
If the timing belt breaks, your pistons and valves will come crashing
together and you will have a very expensive repair to take care of.

As SoCalMike said, you do not need a new head gasket nor do you need to
remove the head to change the timing belt. The mechanic probably meant
to say valve cover gasket. Valve cover gasket replacement is a
maintenance item.

d_tarn wrote:
>
> I HAve 92 civic with 100000 milES. aT 60000 THE DealER TOLd ME THAT i
> shOULD get the timing belT CHAngeD aLong with the head GASkET CHAngeD.
> they sAid THEY HAve to remove the head TO GET TO THE TIMING BELt, I
> SHould GET THE NEW HEAD gasKet.
> my quesTIONS aRE:
> -WHAt is A timing belT And HOW WILl A new one aFfECT MY CAr?
> -dO I HAve to remove the head TO GET TO THE BELt?
> -shOULD i even bother if THE GASkET IS sTILl HOLdING And THE BELt is
> INtacT?
> I PLaN ON Keeping this CAr tilL i canT AfFord TO GET IT Fixed. ITS my
> fAvorite aND only CAR i haVE EVER HAd. THAnk YOU.
> D_tarN