NewAcuraFan

Does any of you still have the original timing belt in your 1-G 3.2TL or 2.5TL? I have the last year model ( 1998 3.2TL) and the TB is 10 years old (only 75k). A saleman in a dealership told me those timing belts go by miles. Is that true? Owner's manual says change interval is 105k or 7 years.

I know someone from this forum claimed his car got 120k with the original TB about two years ago. I don't know if that car is still running.

triggerc

I think go90go had stock timing belt for a long time, I also have the original timing belt, but mine is a 96 2.5tl with 90k.

toocoolcord19

What the salesman told you is partially true. Timing belts are a maintenance item, as are the water pumps driven by them. They give you a 7 year span, because it's a safe number. The rubber in the belt begins to deteriorate over time, like any rubber will. While unlikely that the belt will crack due to age, it should still be done in the pre-recommended 7 years or 105k miles. If not done and the belt does skip/break, the damage will be increased as the engines are interference motors meaning the valves will strike the pistons in most occasions either locking the engine or doing serious damage to head/block. So if you plan on keeping the car, I highly suggest doing the timing belt and water pump for miantenance.

Jeph

I have a '96 2.5 and it was over 11 years old and 130k before I got it changed.

If it breaks, you'll regret not doing it because you'll be spending A LOT more money to fix what went wrong (in ADDITION to a new timing belt). Going beyond the normal mileage is really just pressing your luck. Don't take that chance.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

i changed my timing belt about a year ago at 110k miles... i have he 98 model also...

Go90go

Yes, it was my car which had the first one changed at 85K in 2001 (previous owner), then 140K miles ater at 225K whas when I changed it myself. No stretching or wear was on the belt when it was removed.

~Cheers~

Bluish

I had mine changed in 2005 after 9 years and 141K. I plan to drive the car for 250K miles and didn't want to do the job twice because it cost over $1100. I pushed it to 141K after researching posts in this forum. Consistently, do-it-yourselfers where commenting how good the belt looked when they replaced it.

If I had replaced it at 105K, I would have had to do it 3 years earlier and I'd be getting ready to do it again since I'm now approaching 200K.

There is a risk, but I took it and would do it again.

BASISON

I have a '98 3.2TL also with +151K miles. My timing belt change was right at 100K. Be sure when you do it to also replace the thermostat and the water pump. I think I'll easily make it to 200K for my next change.

SurfingScotty

I got 125,000 on my Vigor before I changed it's T.B. I only put 86,000 on my TL before the 1st change. I just had the T.B. changed on my TL for the 2nd time at 144,000. That will be the last time I change it.

I have owned a total of 5 Hondas/Acuras and all (except for my TL...just barely) went at least 90,000 miles before I changed the T.B. on any them and I've never had one break. FYI