I am going to be replacing the timing belt and some other things on my 2003 Honda Civic EX 1.7L SOHC VTEC engine. Was wondering if I am missing anything that I should replace while I will be doing this service. Not sure how long it has been since the belts and stuff have been replaced so, I am doing it all at once.

T-Belt Gatorback
T-Belt tensioner Duralast
Water pump Duralast
Water pump gasket Felpro
Alternator belt w/ A.C. Gatorback
Powersteering Belt Gatorback
Spark Plugs Bosch
Valve Cover Gasket Felpro


Not sure if I needed to even replace the valve cover gasket; The kit comes with spark plug tube seals. Wanted to make sure these brands were good and that I wasnt missing anything. All advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

I would use NGK spark plugs. Bosch aren't very good in our Honda engines.

I think you need NGK Platinum.

 

I wouldn't get another valve cover gasket, mine works fine and it's been on and off more times than I can count. GET A HONDA BELT. It will cost a little more (mine was about 50) but the one I replaced I believe was the original with 139K and could have gone further. I wouldn't worry about the tensioner. Just make sure it's not too loose or too tight when you put it back together. As for the water pump, I didn't replace mine. I've never had problems with the cooling system and as long as it's not broke i'm not going to fix it. The original honda water pump is probably better than the duralast pump. If it's not leaking, leave it alone. It's not too big of a deal to get to it again if you need to.

 

i just replaced all the same stuff you listed with exception to the brands but i used a new valve cover gasket just to be safe. I would highly recommend the water pump, the last thing you need is that seizing up after you did all the work of changing the belt. As for the tensioner i would reccomend using that too, so in the future nothing slips or breaks. the money you spend and the confident feeling you'll have is worth much more than replacing a whole cylinder head when something breaks.

 

You should get a matching brand tensioner and timing belt. I know that with Dayco timing belts that if you use their timing belt, they warranty it for the amount of miles that the stock one is rated to last, as long as you use it in pair with their tensioner.

And yea... change the water pump. Taking that stuff back apart is kind of annoying when you could have just replaced the water pump as preventive maintenance.

 

and water pumps arent too spendy, its very worth it.

 

thanks guys......I have gone and ordered everything on the above list EXCEPT for the timing belt. My local autozone said they could get me a timing belt by Sunday or Monday so, wasnt sure if I should get the Duralast or Gatorback still. I know one of you recommended Honda brand, others the Duralast belt with the Duralast tensioner. Has anyone had any experience with these brands?

I was going to order OEM coolant anyway so, I was thinking I should just throw in the timing belt anyway. But if I get only ONE OEM part out of the 8, is it even worth it?

......thank you all very much for your input by the way.....GREATLY appreciated.

 

The OEM belt will be worth it as far as life and efficiency go but you'll be just as fine using the matching belt and tensioner like i did.

 

i bought OEM plugs and OEM belts. they lasted 120K miles, so why not stick with it?

 

I took off of work this week and I already ordered the parts so.....its kinda too late to cancel my order. I think I am going to go with the OEM belt, but use all of the second hand brands/parts for everything else.

I am assuming the tensioner will work with any belt anyway so. Thanks for all of your help guys. I am using all of the items from the original post EXCEPT:

NGK Platinum Spark Plugs
OEM Timing Belt

Thanks for all your input! I'm sure you'll here from me if I run into any problems.