Greetings, I'm new here, actually posting to find out about my Fiancee's car. I'm not a honda guy myself so I don't know much about them other than they are legendary for running forever when cared for.

She has a 2000 Civic EX that just crossed 100k miles about 2 weeks ago. It's now due for an oil change anyways, but I was wondering how important it would be to replace the timing belt and anything else that goes along with that at this point. I had read that this service at the dealership is around $570.00, does that sound right?

I just replaced the air filter, spark plugs and wires myself, as well as cleaned out the entire engine compartment. It's sparkling in there now.

Also I had read someplace that there's a 90K mile service, which I'm positive she didn't have done. Can anyone tell me what that entails and if it's worth going to the dealership for? I know often times it can be an overpriced replacement of filters/plugs/wires and stuff like that.

I'm just looking to educate myself because if I don't I know she never will!

Thanks!

 

Yeah, replace the timing belt, as well as the water pump and timing belt tensioner. The price seems about right.

You might also consider replacing the transmission and power steering fluid, although you can do this yourself. For a manual transmission and power steering, use genuine Honda fluids.

A Seafoam treatment would also be recommended (search for DIY on forum).

 

I concur with RonJ about getting the timing belt replaced now. It's not worth the high cost of a new engine if it fails. When replacing the timing belt, make sure that they also replace the water pump, tensioner, and also the coolant. I'm not sure if the coolant has been replaced on a regular basis, but I'd recommend doing that.

If you have not done this, also consider bleeding or replacing the brake fluid on it if it has not been done in a while.

My car is a '98 and it now has 115k miles and I just went through what you are talking about.

I must say that $570 for a timing belt job is a pretty good price from a dealer. Make sure that it includes all the above services as well.

You are correct in that they last forever if you take care of them.

 

make sure you shop around, I had one dealer wanting to charge me $650 for the timing job and another that would do it for $450. What Im doing is ordering the OEM Honda parts myself and taking it to a mechanic which is going to charge me only $275 for the labor.

 

Thanks for the helpful responses.

00ex_menace-

Would you care to share your parts source so that I can see if I can price the parts for myself?

Thanks!

 

Here's a reliable source to purchase Civic parts:

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/

If you consider doing the job yourself, also check here:

http://www.civicforums.com/forums/7-...t-96-00-a.html

 

This is where I bought my kit
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-97...spagenameZWDVW
They came Fedex within 3 days, and are all Genuine Honda OEM parts still in the packaging.
Paid $185 after shipping for Timing belt, AC Belt, PS Belt, Alternator Belt, Water Pump and I ordered the Tensioner seperate which they sent in the same box combined shipping price of the first kit.

 

Thanks a lot guys.