When your car is getting closer and closer to timing belt replacement mileage, is there anything that one should be aware of in order to not snap the aging timing belt early? Does hard acceleration or high revs or anything else, put an aging timing belt at higher risk for failure?

99 LX 2.3L 5-spd Coupe

 

hard acceleration and high engine speeds will put more strain on the belt. Also higher temps and temperature fluxuations can help a belt snap. The less strain on the motor, the less strain on the belt since it is drive directly by the motor.

I have seen belts snap at idle though, so the only real safe bet is to have the belt changed.

 

What is the highest price I should pay for timing belt replacement and water pump altogether at Honda dealer. Those guys seem to like to jack up the price if you look like you don't know what it costs.

 

it depends.....in all reality you should be able to get it done for under 400 dollars.

that belt controls the valve train so quick rpm changes are super rough on the belt. so those choppy 1-2 shifts are terrible

 

The honda dealer around me does it for 450. There's also an awesome honda mechanic I know the has his own honda repair shop who does it for a little more. This is assumming you don't need a new tensioner or anything like that. Just the seals (including the crank seal), water pump, balance and timing belts, and new drive belts plus all the labor.