Timing Belt Replacement - Age of Timing Belt not miles
01-23-2023, 10:12 AM
#1
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Timing Belt Replacement - Age of Timing Belt not miles
I have a '99 TL with 257K miles that I have owned since it had 20K miles. Although I do most of the maintenance myself (in the last several years I have done both drive axles, front struts, valve adjustment, all valve cover seals, oil pan seal, and the seal behind the oil filter housing), about 10 years ago (November 2012) I had the local Acura dealer replace the timing belt, water pump, and side engine mount. They obviously used all Acura/Honda parts.
My question relates to the fact that the maintenance schedule calls for the replacement of the timing belt under "normal conditions" every 105K miles or 7 years. Due to a variety of factors, I have only put 54K miles on the car since that timing belt change just over 10 years ago. I am interested in other forum members experiences and input as to whether the timing belt really needs to be replaced just because it is 10 years old, making it 3 years past the scheduled time to change the timing belt.
My question relates to the fact that the maintenance schedule calls for the replacement of the timing belt under "normal conditions" every 105K miles or 7 years. Due to a variety of factors, I have only put 54K miles on the car since that timing belt change just over 10 years ago. I am interested in other forum members experiences and input as to whether the timing belt really needs to be replaced just because it is 10 years old, making it 3 years past the scheduled time to change the timing belt.
01-23-2023, 10:26 PM
#2
Pro
I would take take the front cover off and visually check the belt for wear and cracking. The reason the age counts is that contamination from the road, engine leaks, and ozone breakdown of the rubber. If there is wear, or cracking replace the belt.
01-24-2023, 12:48 PM
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Jon M, thanks for the input.
One additional question. Has anyone had experience with the AISIN TKH-011 Engine Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump -
Aisin claims to be an OEM manufacturer for many Japanese cars. The timing belt kit is currently selling on Amazon for $269.
One additional question. Has anyone had experience with the AISIN TKH-011 Engine Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump -
Aisin claims to be an OEM manufacturer for many Japanese cars. The timing belt kit is currently selling on Amazon for $269.
01-24-2023, 01:12 PM
#4
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MikeND,
If you need to change the belt out, AISIN is a OEM manufacturer for many parts on the Acura and Toyota. I think I used a Gates kit last time but I would feel confident in using the AISIN kit. If you do need to replace the belt and yes replacing the water pump (because you are there already) I would also drain the coolant, replace those hoses and the thermostat. You are going to loose coolant if you are replacing the water pump and people have a tendency not to replace the coolant hoses until they leak (usually at a bad place) and if you haven't replaced those and the thermostat it is a good time. The original thermostats tend to last a long time but 20 years (if the car was kept up) seems to be the lifetime.
If you need to change the belt out, AISIN is a OEM manufacturer for many parts on the Acura and Toyota. I think I used a Gates kit last time but I would feel confident in using the AISIN kit. If you do need to replace the belt and yes replacing the water pump (because you are there already) I would also drain the coolant, replace those hoses and the thermostat. You are going to loose coolant if you are replacing the water pump and people have a tendency not to replace the coolant hoses until they leak (usually at a bad place) and if you haven't replaced those and the thermostat it is a good time. The original thermostats tend to last a long time but 20 years (if the car was kept up) seems to be the lifetime.
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