I have a 98 with 65k miles & 8yrs old. Runs perfect. Should i change the timing belt?
I heard that if it snaps/brakes while driving on freeway that it could damage valves & other parts, is this true?
Basically, what are the consequences on not changing the belt?

 

You pretty much answered your own question, If you let your timing belt go too long, it can break, and cause your interference motor to make the pistons collide with the valves, doing some pretty hardcore damage in a couple engine rotations. Just follow your car's service schedule, and you should be fine. I wouldnt let it go past 100k though on the stock timing belt. if you wanted to, you can probably access the cam pulleys by removing a couple screws to remove the top of the timing belt cover (might have to remove the valve cover too) That will let you at least look at your belt to determine if it's cracking, or looks worn in any way.

Bottom line is with 65k on an 8 year old car, you're probably fine for now.

Brendan.

 

I would recommend taking a look at the belt like hondamatic suggested and checking for wear and cracks. If there is any doubt of the condition of the belt, you're better off changing it. I know down here in florida, the heat and humidity will get to the belts after a while.

The timing belt is something you never want to break. My mom needs to do it on her CR-V and I keep telling her I'll come over and do the whole job, but she doesn't think I am capable of changing it for some reason...

 

I believe Honda recommends changing the Timing belt at approx 90k, time also is a critical factor. I would feel much safer changing mine between 60-70k. I would also consider changing the water pump since you are already in there. But that is just me.
I depend on my car everyday for work and sales calls. I would much rather PLAN my repairs than have a water pump go out at the worst moment.
Just my opinon.

 

if you reside on a hot and dry climate.. AZ, NEV .. i would reccomend to replace t-belt around 60k or 6 years... if you reside in a normal climate. 75-90 k ,, depends if you do a lot of city or hwy driving.........If mostly city driving do it around 75k... keep in mind the the miles on the odometer are not the actual miles that the t-belt has on it,,, while at stop lites or behind traffic, engine still runs, t-belt still rotates,, miles do not add up..

It is safer to do it 10k sooner than later..
And as suggested by Mpanelli,, replace the water pump and any other seals insidide the t-belt cover, and the alt/p/s belts, also chk the tensioner make sure they are not noisy,,

 

V6 or I4?


Under normal driving 105K is the recommended intervil. Under severe, it is half that. How you DRIVE YOUR CAR is the most critical aspect. If you are constantly gunning it from lights or taking it up to high RPMs before shifting, then it's time for a new one. If you drive like a normal person, then you can wait till a little longer to change it. IF you are not sure you can inspect the belt yourself or you can have your local HONDA dealer/ shop do it. I would not recommend taking it to a shop that does not specialise in or does not work on A LOT OF HONDAS as that job is the most critical to engine life. Also using a NON HONDA belt is a big NO.

 

Thanks for all the replies & suggestions.

Is there a big chance that if the t-belt breaks while driving the valves could get bent? causing more damage.
I have heard that if it breaks it could damage the valves, I have also heard that if it breaks it would NOT damage anything else.
What are the chances of it breaking/damaging other parts? 50%, 75% chance?

I'm kinda weighing it out if i could put it off for another few months.

 

if you are idling, no not really. If you are driving at hwy speeds, then most likely yes.

 

basically if a valve bends or breaks it means that it hit something hard enough to cause that damage. That being said you can assume that it collided with another part so the chances of something else being damaged (anywhere from a simple scratch to a hole) is fairly high. If you bend a valve because of the timing belt snaping then it hit something and had to at least have left a mark...

 

It could also mess up a piston or a valve guide, depending on engine speed.