when should i replace my timing belt..i know around 100k miles im at 97k milesand im money tight right now...whats the longest someone has waited to put a new timing belt in? in miles? and also, whats the best way to save gas..i drive a 98 civic ex 5speed

 

The timing belt should be replaced as soon as possible. Under normal conditions, Honda recommends replacement at 105k miles. You take a big risk going any longer because, if the belt snaps or slips, major engine damage is a typical outcome (replace engine or junk car).

 

Replace it as soon as you can. I had mine replaced by a friend who is a mechanic for $100. A shop will charge a lot to do it.

The shop here wouldn't do it unless I bought the new belt AND gear, for $160 and charge $199 for labor.

I had about 154000 miles on my 98 ex before I changed it. When I got the belt off, it actually didn't look bad at all..no cracks in it, but I still felt good about replacing it.

 

did you own the car for the entire 154,000 miles? how do you know that it wasn't replaced before?

 

I just hit 118k the other day. I'm going to get my belt replaced soon just so I feel better. Especially since the other day when my car was idling, it sounded like a belt was whining or making some high pitched noise. I could tell it was comming from a pulley or something, I wasn't quite sure, but it makes me wanna change my belt as soon as I can lol.

 

I have 72,000 miles on mine and i changed mine but the only reason i changed mine was because i had to have a new head gasket put in so i am wayy about schedlue but yah i knew a guy that had his timing belt bust on him and costed him the whole motor so he had to get a new motor after that so if i were you get a buddy to help you put a new timing belt on and might as well put a new water pump in and it will save you alot of money if you do it yourself or read online how to do it not very hard at all

 

I think Honda recommends every 90k miles, I just replaced mine a few months before I boosted but that is another thing to do if youre boosting. Also, change the water pump when you change the timing belt

 

just do it. preventative maint. is always cheaper than engine replacement

 

How often should you change the timing belt. Mine was changed at 102,000

 

To add to that, it's good measure to replace the thermostat as well.