Timing Belt questions
 

Hi, I hope someone here would be able to clarify...

I bought my '96 GSR about over 1 year ago at around 160k kms.

Right now, it's at just a little over 200k kms.

I have no idea if timing belt was ever changed before. Like most ppl, financial is very tight and I would rather not spend money unless I really have to...

Questions:

1. Is there a way I can tell if the belt is need of replacing? (I'm not sure, but maybe it was changed right before I bought the car...how can I know?)

2. Any reputable place to get this done? My long-time mechanic quoted me $400 all in, with water pump. Know of any (reputable) place with better price?

3. Risks involved, if I don't get this done. If it snaps, engine's gone right?

4. Does anyone have any money to donate to my "timing-belt" fund? hahaha! I wish!

And, no, this will not be something that I want to attempt to do myself. I know how time consuming and difficult this is.

Thanks in advance fellas!

Check condition of the belt.
If its dried up and has cracks, its time to change it. If you're going to change it, then change your waterpump too. You'll save on labour.

Is the pump leaking? If so, then might as well change the belt as well.

If you want to get it done, PM me

ive heard timing belts dont crack...

I just got mine done by Dave Yo at addicted, see my post in the other section. he did a great job and let me watch so i can learn a few things about doin it. best way to check it is to remove the valve cover and see if you can see the ribs showing through the belt. but even then thats not the best way. my car i dont think the belt/waterpump was ever done which was scary cause it had 174,000km on it when i changed it last night.

best thing to do even though it may cost you some money now is to change it. cause what if a week, month from now the belt snaps cause it never was replaced? uh-oh time for a new motor. bite the bullet now to save you a major headache down the road imo. if you got it from a private sale did you not ask for service records etc.?

and 400 is a pretty good price for it. its about 3-4 hours labour and close to 200$ in parts so that right there is almost 500-600 at the rate of 90$/hour for labour.

if you want to do it yourself, I was watching Dave Yo do mine and helping every little bit he needed a third hand. it seems fairly easy but yes it is time consuming. hardest part about the whole job from what i saw was putting the new timing belt on and making sure all the belts have the right amount of tension on them.

Thanks for the replies guys! I appreciate that.

Anyone else who can tell me signs when timing belt is due to be changed?

It IS better safe than sorry... I guess I'm going to have to cough up that $400 afterall...

if you have to ask if its time to change your belt....its time to change your belt

Change it, even if it didn't have 150,000kms on it, you should get some peice of mind knowing that you're doing some preventive maintainance. If its been a while since you've changed your thermostat, it would be a good time to do so, since the coolant will be drained and they'll have to bleed the cooling system already anyways.

^^good suggestion on the thermostat!!

and like said above, just go ahead and change the timing belt/water pump...and $400 in is an awesome price!!

^+1

its funny i was looking for same question. timing belt question and the situation is almost same.i bought my car at 200,000k my mechanic told me timing belts must be changed every 100,000k kms. he also said timing belt can't be seen from outside its kinda in the engine i think u have to take the cover off or something. P.S. "HASTE" sorry dude i didn't mean to take ur thread just added my experience or whatever. lol

aryan yes he is right you gotta remove the valve cover to even see the belt. ive seen some ppl remove the timing belt cover at car shows etc. not sure why maybe so you can see the belt easily? or cause they got the gears painted

So... I have a mechanic friend who is willing to help me out here...
He said to just get the parts.

Questions:
I see there is "timing belt", "timing belt kit", and "timing belt tensioner"
What are these and which one do I buy? Does a "timing belt kit" consists of timing belt and the tensioner?

I called Acura Dealership and they are quite pricey:
Timing Belt = $134
Timing Belt Tensioner = $97
Waterpump = $193

I also checked out Autopartsway.ca, they are way cheaper (and free shipping too!):
Timing Belt = $33.06 (brand: Goodyear) or $106.46 (OEM)
Timing Belt Tensioner = $27.67 (brand: Koyo)
Timing Belt Kit = $128 (brand: ContiTech)
Waterpump = $59.15 (brand: NPW)

Have any of you had any prior dealings with Autopartsway.ca?

Should I care what kind of brand I use?

I appreciate your help fellas! :)

Anyone?

go oem

^^ yup