Cam drive belt

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Bill Kiene, Jan 19, 2004.

  1. Bill Kiene

    Bill Kiene Guest

    How long miles/years should I wait to change this on my 1998 Civic ?

    --
    Bill Kiene

    Kiene's Fly Shop
    Sacramento, CA, USA
    www.kiene.com
     
    Bill Kiene, Jan 19, 2004
    #1
  2. 60,000 miles unless you know you have one of the 90,000 mile belts. THESE
    ARE INTERFERENCE ENGINES so at very least look at it and see how it looks.
    wolf
     
    Wolfgang Bley, Jan 19, 2004
    #2
  3. Bill Kiene

    Tegger® Guest


    Read The Owner's Manual.

    It probably says 72 months or 90,000 miles, whichever comes first.

    As Wolfgang says, this IS an interference engine, meaning that if the belt
    breaks, the valves could smack into the pistons and result in very
    expensive engine work.

    Extending the interval beyond that specified is a gamble. *I* wouldn't do
    it. The odds are not in your favor.
     
    Tegger®, Jan 19, 2004
    #3
  4. Bill Kiene

    Perry Guest

    I own a 98 Civic LX. The owner's manual says 60,000, I believe, but I had
    seen differing opinions(I have seen a Honda dealer's site saying 110,000).
    I called the local Honda dealer, and he said 110,000. He said Maine did not
    qualify as extreme conditions. After the weather over the past 2 weeks, I
    am not so sure.

    I actually have a local mechanic who will replace the timing belt and
    waterpump for $280. That doesn't sound THAT bad. I plan on changing mine
    in the next few months(will probably be around 85-90K.
     
    Perry, Jan 21, 2004
    #4
  5. Bill Kiene

    Rob Guest

    On my first Honda Civic (an 87) I didn't change the belt because I didn't
    realize it was an interference engine until I got that HUGE repair bill.
    With all my other imports (older Nissan's), I just let the belt break
    because it was the same price to replace a broken belt -and no internal
    engine damage was caused.

    FYI, that original cam belt on my 88 Civic lasted 6 years/180,000 miles
    before it broke, but I plan on changing the belt on my current Honda every
    60,000 miles, WITHOUT FAIL.

    Rob
     
    Rob, Jan 29, 2004
    #5
  6. Bill Kiene

    speedy Guest

    While you are at it dont forget the crank seal and the cam seal. Oil and
    rubber belts dont mix, and these seals get very hard after 100k miles.
    Also swapping the water pump at the same time will save you some later
    aggravation.

    -SP
     
    speedy, Feb 7, 2004
    #6
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