Hello,

I am a complete novice on car repairs. I want to make sure I have correctly interpreted my search results for timing belt replacement, since it seems to be critical. I am the original owner of a 1999 Accord LX (4 cyl) and have had all the regularly scheduled maintenance done. My understanding from the manual is that I need a scheduled replacement at 105,000 miles. My forum search indicates several of the experts agree with this. The car has mostly been operated in Albuquerque, NM with very mild winters (seldom even snows) and summers where the temperature can reach 90 during a three months period. Thanks in advance for those who help.

 

t-belt is due,,,,,,,replace t-belt, balancer belt, water pump, cam, crank, balancer shaft seals,valve cover gasket, upper plug seals, install a balancer shaft seal retainer, replace the alt, p/s belts unless they are in good shape,

 

See if I understand...
You're a complete novice on car repairs so you're asking whether to have a shop do this?
YES. There's no real good way to inspect the timing belt, because it can look real good 2 weeks before it breaks.

You want to change the belt yourself? OK, but it's not exactly the job for a newbie mechanic. I'd say get yourself the shop manual (www.helminc.com) and read up real good first. Know just what you're getting yourself into. BEFORE you dismantle it...

 

Thanks for your responses guys. Jim, my question is so basic I misled you with it. I wouldn't dream of trying to do that job. (I don't even have any tools!) This is going to be a big expense for me right now as I have become unemployed, and I am simply trying to determine when I absolutely need to have it done. I have read posts of people changing theirs anywhere from 105,000 to 120,000 miles, but I believe Honda says 105,000 miles. Even a 105,000 mile target would give me a few months to work with. I wanted to ask some some of you experts here, rather than a mechanic I don't know, since you don't have a vested interest in the $600 job (including water pump replacement). Is this a repair that absolutely has to be done at the recommended mileage, and were those who waited until 115,000 miles running a huge risk with the extra 10,000 miles? Apologies again for not being clear in my first post!

 

a lot of it also depends on wether you do mostly city or hwy driving ...........
keep in mind that when in city driving and you are stopped behind traffic, traffic lite,, the engine still runs thus t-belt runs but odometer stands still ,, thus the miles in odometer are not exactly the miles on t-belt ,,,
the proper way to know the condition of the t- belt is to remove the upper timing belt cover and visually inspect the belt

 

It's a probability thing, like Desert says. Honda has no way of knowing how much traffic, or how much real hot climate is experienced by every owner. But they have to write a mileage number in the book. If they see belts fail everywhere between 110k miles & 175k miles, and only very few fail before 100k miles, then it makes sense to schedule this at 105k. It's a risk to go over but who knows?

The problem is if it breaks while driving, the pistons will hit the valves. Then you're in for a REALLY big $$$$$ repair.

 

There's also a time limit on timing belt life, probably 105kmiles or 7 years, whichever occurs first. You're way over on the time limit. Belt deterioates due to mechanical stress of engine running, heat, exposure to oxygen, oil mist, etc. Many of these elements are independent of mileage, hence the time limit.

Repairs will probably cost $500-$700, if you buy your own parts and go to several shops for labor quotes to do the job. Make sure any shop you propose to use has done this work frequently, and has a good reputation.

I would add replacement of timing belt tensioners to the list of replaced components. They are relatively inexpensive and bearings could be almost dry after 10 years of service. Check ebay for a Timing Belt "kit" for your car.

good luck