CaliBud916

Hey guys, while pulling my PS pump to rebuild it, I thought I'd pull one of the timing covers and take a look at the timing belt. The car is an 04 TL with 105,386 miles. I just recently got the car so I don't know if the timing belt has ever been replaced. When I pulled the cover I was pleasantly surprised, the timing belt looked good, not old/cracked. I'll post some pics below, maybe you guys can offer me some input as well.

PS I would like to replace the timing belt, however I'm a little tight on cash after having just replaced my transmission and rebuilding my PS pump.









Turned the crank over several times, and it looks like the above pictures throughout. Do you guys think it's safe to leave this timing belt for another 5-10k miles? Thanks for reading

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

if the timing belt service was done, it would have had to been recently, and that belt doesnt look that new. That belt looks to be the original one. However its still in decent condition and I dont see any problems waiting another year. I did mine at 125k miles, and it still looked pretty good with no signs of cracking or fraying.
Just do it when you can, don't worry about it too much at the moment if you're tight on cash

CaliBud916

Thanks for the quick reply. Yea I was afraid it would be the original one... But at least it doesn't look too bad, I'll leave it until I can change it then

YeuEmMaiMai

it is HIGHLY recommended to change it when the car tells you to. And I definitely would keep the foot out of the throttle in the meantime.

CaliBud916

Duly noted. I have been babying the heck out of the car since I changed the transmission and will continue doing so

04WDPSeDaN

iTrader: (1)

It's indeed the original belt. However, you have exceeded the service limit. You just made it with mileage but have with time you it's over due. 5-10K you should be fine, however only time will tell if it snaps.

BillMFD3

Agreed thats an original belt. Looked like mine when I replaced it at 109K miles. When removed it looked just as good...
I would still plan to replace it, if you are a DIY you can get it done for under $300 including water pump, accessory belt, coolant, spark plugs, tensioner, pullies, etc...

v8eatr

I think some people get too concerned with a timing belt. Yes they are important and yes if they break it will be expensive but the fact of the matter is, 99.999% of these cars will go 200k+ on the original belt without issue. Would I do that? Probably not but that belt looks perfectly fine. That will go for a while yet.

nfnsquared

Wrong.

There is no time or mileage limit for the 3G TB service. The TB is due to be changed when you get a "4" on the MID.


When is your next oil change due (what % on the MID?). I expect you will get a "4" when your next oil change is due.

OP, I agree that that does not look like a new belt, although it appears to be in great shape, just like mine did at 106K when I changed it out. If you're tight on cash, history would seem to indicate that the belt will easily last for another 50K, but I'd still get it changed as soon as you can.

Willie3.5

If you're strapped for cash try RockAuto they have multiple timing belt kits, the Gates ($130.99) and Aisin ($177.79) kits are most popular amongst us from what I've seen on the forum. Also, both contain water pumps. Part # TCKWP329 (Gates) and Part # TKH002 (Aisin). IMO if you got the time and can afford the Gates kits go ahead and get it changed, especially if you can do it yourself. Hope this helps.

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

That wild claim is anything but factual. It's an absurdly optimistic opinion. If you run 100,000 TLs to over 200k miles on the original belt I guarantee you're going to have many more than one failure.

v8eatr

Well I have been in the industry for 10+years and rarely do you see timing belts just break. I had an elderly couple with an RL with 300k+ on the original belt. I was clearly exaggerating a bit on that percentage but it is very high. Very very few cars would see failure. I'm speaking from a decade of experience here.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

so, you would rather chance it than to replace it.
gotcha..

its not called the 105k service for nothing or for fun.

v8eatr

See Above. However, if that were my belt at that mileage, I wouldn't waste my time.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^so, why not give better advice.
give advice on what you would do....

not on what an elderly couple did.(who btw, probably babied the whole 300k miles.)


I changed my belt early, Only because I had to remove the old belt to replace the heads on my engine.

I just changed it at 71k miles.

nfnsquared

And it's still a museum piece

erdoc48

As others have said, it looks in decent shape, and I'm sure Honda engineers have built in a safety margin of several thousand miles after the change interval. That said, although you will probably be fine waiting a bit, I'd still be a little more proactive in getting the TB service done, otherwise, it'll cost quite a bit more if the belt breaks. Also, a cursory visual belt inspection that 'looks good' does not guarantee in any way a potential weak spot that can be a point of failure. How many times do you want to roll the dice?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

i got the center mount drilled out and re-threaded.
looking forward for tomorrow's start up

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

Scenario 1:
OP waits 5-10k miles, chance of belt snapping? I say less than 5%

Scenario 2:
OP replaces belt now, takes out loan or swipe on credit card.
OP ends up not being able to pay credit card bill, credit score drops significantly. Can't get approved for future car loans or home loans. What now?

Most of us giving the advice changed our timing belts ourselves. It's pretty cheap if you DIY, but you guys have to remember, the timing belt job is NOT for a casual backyard DIYer. Take into account labor costs of the timing belt job when giving OP advice.

My advice: Okay to wait 5-10k miles, but don't push it much farther than that. You have good odds now, but they will slowly turn against you.

Jesstzn

I'm at 48k miles .. 06 TL , not changing mine based on time alone. I'll chance it.

Majofo

sure.. but water pump? idler pulley? auto-tensioner?.. a lot of variables here.

indeed.. $200 in parts is cheaper than replacing the engine.. not a lot cheaper but cheaper.

It's rare, but so is going +300k before changing it.

happyboy423

Just because a timing belt looks to be in good doesn't mean it is. It doesn't show wear or cracks like a drive belt does. Timing belt service is expensive at dealers but you can find someone to do it for about half the price. The comment about paying for service with credit card and not being able to pay credit card is true, but imagine the shit you'll be in if the belt breaks and you dont have a car to go to work. About $600 for a t-belt service every 100k miles really doesn't sound that bad.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

$600 isnt that bad every 100k miles, you're right. But if when the time comes and OP doesnt have the money, then he doesnt have the money.
Hard to make $600 pop up out of nowhere

Acura-OC

My guess is that most of the cars do not have their TB changed on time if at all since most of the cars change many owners and dealers only do 110/115/120 point inspections and whenever you ask them answer is always positive that TB has been changed.

I had 1985 VW Jetta that had more than 180K miles on it before I got rid of it. I remember one time when I was changing oil I decided to take a look at TB it looked good but when I pulled one of the bumps (or whatever it called) it just piled off very easy because TB was very dry. It still worked fine even after that. Sucks being poor.

Majofo

It's not about being poor. This is really a lesson in money management. OP had some big expenditures.. he'll be fine until he can save the feria for the 105k job.