Hi there! I have just been advised that I "might" want to replace my timing belt due to the age of my car and not just the mileage. I was wary because they seemed to be pushing timing belt changes on their specials board. But after reading through the timing belt threads am nervous because I don't want to kill my engine by waiting too long. I want to drive this car for 20 years! I love my civic so help!

 

If you plan on keeping your Civic, then it would be wise to replace the timing belt soon.

 

my civic 98 d16y8 have 71.000 km and the timing belt is original. I take out the valve and the timing belt cover to see the timing belt and it´s like brand new.

should I replace it?

 

the reason why it is recommended is because belts age by being driven a certain number of miles and also by simply being in the car for a certain number of years. Being that the civic is a 98, it should be changed since it's been in the car for at least 10 years. the important factor is that timing belts cannot be judged simply by the way it looks. they can fail at any time even if they look perfectly healthy on the outside.