Honda Timiing Belt Question

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Ivan Vegvary - 15 Nov 2005 02:43 GMT

'94 Honda Accord Station Wagon. Currently 120,000 miles.
Owner's manual states that the timing belt should be replaced at 140,000
miles. Then, through a subscript, it says "Recommended Only"

What is the meaning of this phrase (Recommended Only). Seriously,
everything in the maintenance schedule is a "recommendation", in my opinion.

Is this really a fabric belt that "must" be replaced before it breaks, or,
is it a metal chain that stretches and is "recommended" to be replaced when
the automatic tensioner is beyond function due to excessive stretch.

All comments appreciated.

Needless to say, the local mechanic claims that the belt should have been
replaced at 60k miles and every 60k miles thereafter.

Ivan Vegvary

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jim beam - 15 Nov 2005 02:58 GMT

> '94 Honda Accord Station Wagon. Currently 120,000 miles.
> Owner's manual states that the timing belt should be replaced at 140,000
> miles.

it's replace at 140k KILOMETERS not miles. you're overdue by 30k.

> Then, through a subscript, it says "Recommended Only"
>
> What is the meaning of this phrase (Recommended Only). Seriously,
> everything in the maintenance schedule is a "recommendation", in my opinion.

yeah, it's only a recommendation, but one that can save you upwards of
$2k. your call on the economics of deferral.

> Is this really a fabric belt that "must" be replaced before it breaks, or,
> is it a metal chain that stretches and is "recommended" to be replaced when
> the automatic tensioner is beyond function due to excessive stretch.

it's a fiber reinforced toothed rubber belt. it doesn't stretch, it
just fatigues & breaks.

> All comments appreciated.

!!! you'll get a few more than me i'm sure.

> Needless to say, the local mechanic claims that the belt should have been
> replaced at 60k miles and every 60k miles thereafter.

60k miles is premature unless using inferior aftermarket parts.

> Ivan Vegvary

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'Curly Q. Links' - 15 Nov 2005 04:13 GMT

> '94 Honda Accord Station Wagon. Currently 120,000 miles.
> Owner's manual states that the timing belt should be replaced at 140,000
> miles. Then, through a subscript, it says "Recommended Only"

--------------------------

You're overdue by about 5 years. TIME is just as important as mileage.

Start carrying a Peach basket in the back of your station wagon . .

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/faq.html#interference

'Curly'

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Ricky Spartacus - 15 Nov 2005 07:55 GMT

> Start carrying a Peach basket in the back of your station wagon . .

If the "peach-basket" implies that the owner has to pick up his engine
parts off half a mile of road and bring them into the shop in a peach
basket, that is untrue. I've broken my Honda timing belts once. The
only time I had to go collect my parts on the road is when the parts
remain useful. I lost a connecting rod caps and bearings once - didn't
bother to retrieve them because each part traveled 50-ft per second and
DISAPPEARED in my rear view mirror.

Here's a Nantucket Peach Basket and a one for only 99 pennies at ebay!

http://www.riverhillpottery.com/Images/gallery/37lg.jpg
http://www.jymm.com/baskets/walnut.jpg
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4406415196&category=45472

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Ivan Vegvary - 16 Nov 2005 02:39 GMT

Thanks for the replies, everybody!!
Guess I'll be tearing into that timing belt real soon.

Ivan Vegvary

> '94 Honda Accord Station Wagon. Currently 120,000 miles.
> Owner's manual states that the timing belt should be replaced at 140,000
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Ivan Vegvary

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