Is it time to change the Timing Belt?

Shan2nu · 25th March 2009, 10:11

Since i was planning on taking my car on track, i was wondering if it makes sense to change the timing belt now.

My car has done only 68K kms but more importantly, it will be 8 years old this Sept and the timing belt has never been replaced before.

It's not the snapping of the belt that scares me but the amount of damage it can cause at high revvs (especially in vtec zone). Moreover, i think the OHC has an interference engine, so if the belt snaps, it could equate to major repairs costing over 50K.

This thread is not only for me but all those who are running engines that may have low mileage but have aged.

Shan2nu

esteem_lover · 25th March 2009, 10:28

68k is way too early for timing belt replacement in a Honda. But if you want to be safe, there is no reason why you should not. My esteem's done 80k plus & my mech swears that it is not necessary for another 20k.

Psycho · 25th March 2009, 10:30

Reccomended change interval is for 60K kms. But 8 yrs is a long duration for a change (that would also be dependent on the construction and quality of the belt). Personally had a habit of changing them once every 3 years.

SS-Traveller · 25th March 2009, 10:33

If you are planning to take the car on track for prolonged redlining, you would be well advised to change an 8-year-old cam belt before doing so. Despite the fact that you may have only done 68k km, an 8y.o. belt would have degenerated enough not to be able to withstand the stresses it would be subjected to while racing.

esteem_lover · 25th March 2009, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho

Reccomended change interval is for 60K kms. But 8 yrs is a long duration for a change (that would also be dependent on the construction and quality of the belt). Personally had a habit of changing them once every 3 years.

Psycho, is this for modded cars or for stock cars too ? And does it differ for petrol/diesel cars ?

Shan2nu · 25th March 2009, 10:55

Quote:

68k is way too early for timing belt replacement in a Honda. But if you want to be safe, there is no reason why you should not. My esteem's done 80k plus & my mech swears that it is not necessary for another 20k.

Its not the kms but the age of the belt that is the prob. Rather spend 5,000 now than shell out 50,000 plus to rebuild the engine.

Quote:

If you are planning to take the car on track for prolonged redlining, you would be well advised to change an 8-year-old cam belt before doing so. Despite the fact that you may have only done 68k km, an 8y.o. belt would have degenerated enough not to be able to withstand the stresses it would be subjected to while racing.

True.

Quote:

Reccomended change interval is for 60K kms. But 8 yrs is a long duration for a change (that would also be dependent on the construction and quality of the belt). Personally had a habit of changing them once every 3 years.

Sounds like a good idea. I think i'l keep it at 50K kms or 3years (which ever comes first).

Jaggu · 25th March 2009, 11:02

Change it before you hit the tracks! And do a thorough check up of the engine also, last thing you want to do is harm the engine on a track day, however less the chances maybe.

SS-Traveller · 25th March 2009, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

I think i'l keep it at 50K kms or 3years (which ever comes first).

Not necessary unless you take the car on to the track frequently. 80,000 km or 5 years is a good enough interval to change cam belt for routine driving.

Eddy · 25th March 2009, 11:11

50k or 3 Years !!

Is it not an overkill considering the manufacturer recommends double the interval, no less.

alpha1 · 25th March 2009, 11:20

What are the typical charges for belt replacement?
Is it different type from the ones that are fitted to run the AC and water pump?

Shan2nu · 25th March 2009, 11:25

Quote:

50k or 3 Years !!

Is it not an overkill considering the manufacturer recommends double the interval, no less.

For a guy who cruises in his car and rarely redlines it, the recomended interval holds good. But if you're gunning the car everyday and plan to take it on track (where you are basically ripping the car for 30mins straight, i think its wise to change the belt early.

Quote:

Not necessary unless you take the car on to the track frequently. 80,000 km or 5 years is a good enough interval to change cam belt for routine driving.

But i do plan to get my car on track more often now. And im getting 7.9kmpl in city without A/C, so that pretty much sums up my driving style. LOL

Shan2nu

sgiitk · 25th March 2009, 11:29

At 8 years, if it a rubber belt change it pronto. I remember ages ago when a colleague had imported a Fiat 128. He even got a new belt, but did not change it. The result was the belt failed and he ended up more or less getting the engine rebuilt. Valves, Pistons, Con-rods, etc. The works.

Jaggu · 25th March 2009, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

But i do plan to get my car on track more often now. And im getting 7.9kmpl in city without A/C, so that pretty much sums up my driving style. LOL
Shan2nu

Isnt it too low for a honda even with aggressive driving? are you running any engine mods?

hillram · 25th March 2009, 12:07

I understand that the normal procedure is to change the timing belt for any car is between 60-70K.Can this be a standard norm?

black12rr · 25th March 2009, 12:16

Ok , I dont know , just asking ,
How much does timing belt cost?
Anything else needs to be replaced with it or just the timing belt can be replaced ? and what the labor cost ?

If the total cost comes upto even few hundreds rupees why not change it and have peace of mind ?

25th March 2009, 10:11	#1
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	Is it time to change the Timing Belt? Since i was planning on taking my car on track, i was wondering if it makes sense to change the timing belt now. My car has done only 68K kms but more importantly, it will be 8 years old this Sept and the timing belt has never been replaced before. It's not the snapping of the belt that scares me but the amount of damage it can cause at high revvs (especially in vtec zone). Moreover, i think the OHC has an interference engine, so if the belt snaps, it could equate to major repairs costing over 50K. This thread is not only for me but all those who are running engines that may have low mileage but have aged. Shan2nu
	(2) Thanks

25th March 2009, 10:28	#2
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 513 Times View My Garage	68k is way too early for timing belt replacement in a Honda. But if you want to be safe, there is no reason why you should not. My esteem's done 80k plus & my mech swears that it is not necessary for another 20k.
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 10:30	#3
Psycho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,041 Thanked: 111 Times View My Garage	Reccomended change interval is for 60K kms. But 8 yrs is a long duration for a change (that would also be dependent on the construction and quality of the belt). Personally had a habit of changing them once every 3 years.
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 10:33	#4
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,277 Thanked: 28,718 Times View My Garage	If you are planning to take the car on track for prolonged redlining, you would be well advised to change an 8-year-old cam belt before doing so. Despite the fact that you may have only done 68k km, an 8y.o. belt would have degenerated enough not to be able to withstand the stresses it would be subjected to while racing.
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 11:02	#7
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,383 Thanked: 17,296 Times	Change it before you hit the tracks! And do a thorough check up of the engine also, last thing you want to do is harm the engine on a track day, however less the chances maybe.
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 11:11	#9
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 9,564 Thanked: 14,521 Times	50k or 3 Years !! Is it not an overkill considering the manufacturer recommends double the interval, no less.
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 11:20	#10
alpha1 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LandOfNoWinters Posts: 2,178 Thanked: 3,008 Times	What are the typical charges for belt replacement? Is it different type from the ones that are fitted to run the AC and water pump?
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 11:29	#12
sgiitk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,971 Thanked: 4,808 Times	At 8 years, if it a rubber belt change it pronto. I remember ages ago when a colleague had imported a Fiat 128. He even got a new belt, but did not change it. The result was the belt failed and he ended up more or less getting the engine rebuilt. Valves, Pistons, Con-rods, etc. The works.
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 12:07	#14
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,941 Thanked: 1,329 Times View My Garage	I understand that the normal procedure is to change the timing belt for any car is between 60-70K.Can this be a standard norm?
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 12:16	#15
black12rr Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ridin earth now Posts: 1,280 Thanked: 349 Times	Ok , I dont know , just asking , How much does timing belt cost? Anything else needs to be replaced with it or just the timing belt can be replaced ? and what the labor cost ? If the total cost comes upto even few hundreds rupees why not change it and have peace of mind ?
	() Thanks