Honda civic ; timing belt question

[musiclawyer]

lady i know has had a Civic for 2 years, purchased used. Don't know the model year. It has 90K miles. Do civics need a 60K service like many cars. I'm worried about her timing belt. She's done nothing but oil changes. I suggested she just have a trusted mechanic check next oil change? Any other ideas?

[Floogeldy]

1. What made you start worrying about her timing belt?

Are you trying to pick up this chick?

[thefool_wa]

6. Can't they just be friends

I have a female friend or two who knows nothing about cars and I help them out all the time.

Doesn't mean I'm trying to make time, just being a friend.

[Floogeldy]

9. No. No friends.

Sex only.

[thefool_wa]

10. OK

If you insist....

[Dude_CalmDown]

2. Perfect Timing

90K miles is (I'm pretty sure but not certain) the time Honda recommends changing the timing belt.

[thefool_wa]

5. Great pun, btw! nt

[Dude_CalmDown]

11. Thanks

I'm so brilliant that this stuff just comes to me.

[catzies]

3. It should have the model year on the plate inside driver's side door

It's also the 10th character in the VIN.

1st character- Identifies the country in which the vehicle was manufactured.
For example: U.S.A.(1or4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)

2nd character- Identifies the manufacturer. For example; Audi(A),
BMW(B), Buick(4), Cadillac(6), Chevrolet(1), Chrysler(C), Dodge(B),
Ford(F), GM Canada(7), General Motors(G), Honda(H), Jaquar(A), Lincoln(L), Mercedes Benz(D), Mercury(M), Nissan(N), Oldsmobile(3), Pontiac(2or5), Plymouth(P), Saturn(8), Toyota(T), VW(V), Volvo(V).

3rd character- Identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division.

4th to 8th characters- Identifies vehicle features such as body style, engine type, model, series, etc.

9th character- Identifies VIN accuracy as check digit.

10th character- Identifies the model year. For example: 1988(J), 1989(K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1995(S), 1996(T), 1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y)------2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)

11th character- Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.

12th to 17th characters- Identifies the sequence of the vehicle for production
as it rolled of the manufacturers assembly line.

[thefool_wa]

4. Any car should have their timing belt/chain replaced

Around 100K miles. 65-75K is better. Every belt I have had fail on me did so right around 100K and if that happens on a Civic the engine will get f*cked. They are zero clearance and it will bend valves when it goes making the head unusable and possibly damaging the pistons to the point of replacement.

Sometimes chains can go further, but all the chains I have known to fail failed between 100k-125K miles, so there isn't really all that much of a difference.

Also, if all she has done is oil changes, then she should change accessory belts, plugs, wires, dist cap and rotor (all standard tune up parts) should be done at the 100K mark if not before. She'll get back 10HP or more.

[catzies]

7. Good advice. I'd say it's major service time w/timing belt.

It will be expensive, but I'd say it's time catching up, because if prev. owner never put a dime onto it, the new owner will have to put in dollars.

[thefool_wa]

8. Timing belt is tricky

And expensive if you have mechanic/dealership do it.

Otherwise, with a little know how (or someone who has it) it is one of the least expensive fixes around. The timing belt I bought to rebuild my '94 VW engine this year was only $6!

Plus, if you are going to replace all of the belts and do the tune up anyways (all of which can be done with no mechanic experience) it really adds very little to the task, just attention to a couple of details.

Costs:

DIY: Parts: $45-60 Labor: An afternoon to a day DOE.
Shop: $400-750, easily for all that I recommended.

This disparity is why I would suggest doing it yourself.

[SnohoDem]

12. I think the timing belt should replaced at 90K on Civics,

at least on ours (a '92).

Here's a link:

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/faqs/l/bl635f.htm

Hope that helps.