Hi, I just bought a 99 Accord for my 16 year old daughter to drive to school and work.
The car is in like new condition even with 130k on it.I have been doing some minor
maintaince on it, oil change, spark plugs, new battery cables. My question is how
can I tell if the timing belt has been changed? It seems to have been well maintained
but I dont want to take a chance on the belt breaking. Thanks.

 

If you have no idea, A good rule of thumb is to look at the belt and see if you can still read the writing on it, and just look for general wear and cracking. If you dont have maintence records and you cannot read the writing on the belt and I would replace it

 

As a last resort, I'd replace it. Honda's timing belt replacement intervals (around 100,000 miles) are more generous than other manufacturers' intervals (60,000 miles). Like live2rice said, if it looks old, cracked, and worn, replace it.

Hey, did you know Honda's switching back to timing chains? I think that would be better than belts in that you wouldn't have to replace them as often!

 

they already have, K series have chains

 

nice! Like the K20s that everyone wants?

 

indeed

 

Streetwise, you might as well check around the waterpump too.

 

An examination of the motor mount bolts, upper timing belt cover bolts, and lower timing belt cover bolts should indicate whether these have ever been removed (nicks, scars, damage to T'belt cover, washer under tbelt lock nut missing). If these itemsdon't appear to have ever been touched you can be pretty sure the belt has not been replaced. Many trade the car in because they don't want to fork over $600-$1000 for Tbelt service.

I agree w/ position that if you can't be sure Tbelt is new, replace it again. The downside is likely cylinder head damage $1000 and possible piston damage (new engine $$).

good luck

 

Yeah, tomorrow morning I will do a close inspection of the timing belt cover. The engine
bay is very clean..... I am guessing the dealer I bought from probably had it cleaned.
Is there a way to visually inspect the belt with out much disassembly if I see no obvious
signs of previous maintainance.

 

Looking at belt won't tell you whether it's 10K, 50k, or 150K miles. All the belts I've removed (not that large a number perhaps 5-6) were pristine and could have been new for all I could infer from examination. There are no manufacturing codes that I've heard of to date the belt. Guess why?

I purchased a 97 Acura 2.5TL w/ 95k miles w/ assurance from seller that "timing belts have been replaced". I bought the car assuming he was probably lying. I tried calling the service depts he used, but they were no help. In the end, I replaced the belt rather than take a chance.

I found out later, for other reasons, what can happen when crankshaft and camshaft get out of alignment; bent valves and I'm $1000 poorer. Too long a story to tell here, but suffice to say; Change your belts if there's any doubt about their age.

good luck