anyway to tell if a timing belt is going on a 90 civic?
 

hello everyone. new to the forum - this is my first posting. purchased my civic hatchback a year ago and have grown to love it. over 210,000 and still running strong.

been trying to track down repair records/info with previous owner re: timing belt - so far no luck. are there any obvious indications (sounds, etc) that a timing belt needs replaced without pulling the cover off?

No, you need to remove the valve cover and upper timing belt cover to inspect the belt. Nonetheless, even if the belt looks fine, your safest bet is to just replace it.

thanks for the speedy replies. i figured it was just wishful thinking. replacing the timing belt will be my first big project on this car. wish me luck.

They usually fail because the teeth strip off. The only sign of that impending failure might be some little cracks at the base of the teeth. You'd really have to take the belt off the car to inspect it that closely, so at that point you'd just put a new one on. Any time you buy a used Civic and don't know how old the timing belt is, just replace it.