I have a 2002 Honda accord ex with 2.3 v tec engine.The car was bought new and only has 46,000 miles on it.Should I go ahead and replace the timing belt,balance shaft belt and water pump.Low miles but things do dry rot.I looked at the belt as best I could and it dosent look dry rotted but I know they can stretch over time.Thanks for any advice.

 

If you look in the owner's manual, there is a mileage and time limit on those belts. You are probably over due, since the belt is 9 years old.

Are you going to do this yourself, or take it to a shop?

 

Most things I have seen say replace it by the 10 year mark despite how many miles are on it.

 

while I do 99% of my own auto repairs the timing belt,balance belt looks like a real pain in the butt.I changed the timing belt on my aunts old Toyota corrola.It wasn't too bad but it wasn't 95deg out when I did it.The car belongs to my 80 year old mom. She dosent like being without her car long and I don't like being pushed for time so I may just take it to one of the local shops.I will buy the parts from Honda at the very least.Its kinda tight in my garage right now as far as space gose.Im in the middle of rebuilding the rear end in my old corvette.About how long to change it out along with the water pump.Keep in mind this would be my first time changing one out on a accord.

 

Its not too tough of a job, but if you dont have an aircompressor/impact wrench it could be a bit difficult. The crank pulley bolt is real hard to get off without one.

As far as hours go its hard to say but i'd say 4-5 or more.

 

About the only thing I don't have is a crank pulley holder.The one I have has arms on it with different size pins you screw in them.I took a look at the pulley and there's no holes to use the one I have.I guess I could get one from somewhere.If I knew the shop would do a good complete job I wouldn't mind farming it out.It seems like what few times I have had warranty work done.They managed to leave bolts out or loose.I had to have a timing belt and idler pulley changed on my Toyota and they left the fan shroud loose and leaning against the engine.I took it apart and checked the torque on the crank and pulleys to make sure and this was at the dealer.

 

Some propane torch will help loosen locktite from crank bolt.

 

If you go to the site called ericthecarguy.com, the fix it section has a video covering how to do a 90-02 accord 4-cylinder timing belt. It costs ~$10. It will show you how to do this step by step. It is worth the investment IMO.

 

Thanks for all the info.I just don't have the time right now to do it.I ordered all the parts from Honda on line.I will drop it off next week at shop down the street from me.Neither of the local Honda dealers have that great a rep as far as their service depts go.I would have rather done it my self but it would be at least six weeks before I could get to it and its already over do.I bought a new timing belt,balance belt,water pump,valve cover gasket,radiator hoses,thermostat and two gal of Honda antifreeze.That should take care of it for now.