Hi folks,
I need some advice here on the replacement of a timing belt on a 2003 Accord Coup V6.
The car is 7 years old now but has only 120,000km. I got a letter from a local dealership telling me that the replacement of the timing belt is about 168,000km or 7 years old, which ever comes first.
I wish to know if it's very necessary to have it replaced now, or I can just hang on to it for one more year or so, since I do not have the extra money to spend on something that has not been broken.
Thanks in advance!

 

Several different factors at work here.

Hot climate?
- that would make the years just as important as the kms.

Lots of short trips?
- that would explain the low kms on the car, and would also be harder on the belt because the engine has been started more often.

When you turn 7 years, the belt isn't gonna break next week. Most likely you can wait a bit. But it IS A GAMBLE. With high stakes; because if the belt breaks you're in for a vary large repair.

 

Thanks Jim for the input!
I am from Canada so the weather is hot in the summer and cold in the winter like that of NY, but not too extreme like the Northern region.
I got the car second hand and I have no idea how it was driven before by the previous owner.
I guess I can't afford this kind of gamble and have it replaced sometimes this year, as the consequences are serious if shxx happens.

 

If it breaks on you chances are better than not your going to junk your engine. Then again it may (or not) go the life of the car. If you can gather the money and your planning on keeping the car might be a smart investment. If nothing else it's one less thing to keep you up at night.