Honda Car Forum

Could I go for another 20,000 mi and be safe? Or will it most likely snap before then? It's the original belt. I currently have 91,000 miles on it, is there a good probability it will snap soon? Have you or anyone youve known gone over 120,000 miles on a civic and not had the belt snap? I am putting it off because its soooo expensive to have done!

How much will it cost you to have it towed when it quits in some remote location? On some cars the valves drive into the pistons when the belt breaks causing a lot of engine damage, some will "freewheel" and just coast to a stop. Not sure about Honda engines. Start calling different places today for a price, borrow the money from someone if you have to.They may suggest replacing the water pump too if they are working in that area- your call on that.

I would definitely say bite the bullet and replace it.When a timing belt goes and the engine is an interference fit between piston and valves, it then really becomes an expensive job.In your case I think it is interference seehttp://www.gates.com/part_locator/in...on_id=3598From the site below - http://www.theautoshop.com/timing.html#HONDA12. On 1989 & prior models, manufacturer does not recommend a specific interval; on 1990-96 models, 90,000-mile intervals or 72 months; on 1997 models, under normal conditions, at intervals of 105,000 miles or 84 months (60,000-mile intervals if operated at ambient temperatures under -20'F or above 1 1 O'F)....................There is generally no way of knowing when the belt will break. Place it safe, replace.

Hello, If you are worried about it, replace it before it snaps. It will cost you a lot more if it snaps while you are on the road. You may not know what happens if it snaps and most likely will try to restart the car and there is a good chance you may bent some push rods. Towing charges ,finding a shop to replace it, and all the inconveniences that you will encounter. good luck j z

Well being that it's a Honda, I wouldn't even risk it. All Hondas hav interference engines so a timing belt snapping can ( and usually will) require an engine rebuild or replacement. Don't wait. What makes it cost so much is that mechanics also replace your waterpump, engine seals, and belts. You can get just the belt replaced for a lot less but you'll have to pay labor again if your waterpump fails or you develop an oil leak from one of your seals. They generally do all of that in the replacement because it saves time since they are already in there changing your timing belt. In the long run, it's cheaper to get it all done at once. If cash is that tight, request just having the belt changed but don't attempt to go 20K more miles on the current timing belt.

Mfg. recommends 60K. If it breaks your engine will have an internal scrap iron hemorrhage. The pistons run into the valves and bend the push rods. More expensive to repair than to replace a timing-belt.

I rode my '98 to 161k before I got the timing belt done...and when he took it off, I swear I didn't know how it made it that far.I'd say get it done at 100k. You won't have to think about it again for at least another 50k

Do the timing belt package at 105k