tooga

Original owner, 2005 TL. Did full timing belt service in 2013 at 92k. We don't drive nearly as much since. Fast forward nine years, 34k miles later (odometer currently at 126k), knock on wood car continues to run great.... just wondering, when should I be thinking about doing the timing belt service again?

Acura TL Builder

You are in FL so theres excess moisture and perhaps salty air? Not sure, someone else will havea better idea. It would be a good idea to open the small hatch of the timing belt cover and peer inthere to see what the condition of the belt is.

tooga

Thanks! Car resided in FL up until a yr ago when we relocated to NC. How do I look inside under the cover? What am I looking for in terms of condition?

Acura TL Builder

Cracks or lines in the belt typically.

truonghthe

OP as long as your TB tensioner dont make noise you will be ok. I made a thread few month back both of my TL original belt looks really good still tho.

jc-tl

105K or 8 years, whatever comes first.

redbeard1

The attached video will show you how to remove the front timing belt cover. There are five bolts. Four are very easy to remove. The fifth is very hard unless you have an offset wrench and lots of patience (2 minute 55 second mark).

If you have if you have a TRUSTED friend move the accessory belt tensioner back while you work (do this method at your own risk and be careful, if your friend accidentally releases the tensioner, the tensioner will snap back into the area where your hands are working), you can remove the fifth bolt in under a minute.


If you used anything but OEM or Aisin from rockauto for your last timing belt job, I would do the job sooner than later.

FYI, I changed my timing belt after 15 years and around 100k miles. The belt looked new. My water pump was leaking. I think OEM belts are very sturdy and usually the timing belt tensioner or the waterpump will force the job so when inspecting the belt look for coolant or timing belt tensioner oil on the belt.