jameslinkinpark

I just brought my 2004 civic to Honda the other day for routine maintenance and the guy came back saying that it's almost time to replace my timing belt. He said by November I should do it and quoted me about $550. Does this sound about right?

I'll be making my last payment on a 6yr finance in December, so I was wondering if they're trying to just get money out of me considering my warranty will be up too and I won't have much reason to go there.

dailydriver

Whats your mileage? I changed mine in my '04 around 114k miles and that was a bit later than the owners manual suggested.

This is an important fix!

dailydriver

Also, I paid around the same you did at my Honda dealer.

Nosepicker

$550 is a decent price. I'm sure independent shops may do it for slightly less. Take into consideration the kit costs around $150-$190. The remaining difference is purely labor costs.

I plan on doing mine this weekend and it'll most likely take the whole weekend.

jsmithe2010

So how u folks deal with a Honda TB, reportedly to be an interference engine and if breaks, can wreck the engine?

02civicsi02

That price seems bout right for them to change the timing belt. And the service manual for your car tells you to do a timing belt at like 110k or like what 7 yrs I think. So ya its bout that time. A timing belt is really not hard, all you have to know is to set cylinder 1 to TDC and have all the marks line up if you have them. Put the belt on and put evertything back together though you need to have the water pump and the tensioner changed as well.

And the timing belt is there for a reason. The timing belt keeps all of the internals going at the same pace and keeping them in time. If the belt breaks then those internals can not stay in pace and start going out of wack and then you have big problems.

jameslinkinpark

I'm aware of the importance of a timing belt and I have a basic understanding of its function.

My car has 68,000 miles, and is a 2004, so it's 6yrs old. He said by November, so I figure he's estimating around 70,000.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

I would not replace it if you are not going to keep the car.

The factory says 110k miles, you are far from that.

Nosepicker

It sounds like base on it's mileage you're not too keen on changing the timing belt but the fact that it's a 6 yr old car you're considering it.

Tough choice.

Personally, I'd drive it till it's around 85K. I have over 144K miles and am replacing mine. And my car is 12 yrs old. But the original owner couldn't remember if the timing belt was ever changed or not. So, I may be losing money or I am not. It's a gamble but a safe one at that.

02civicsi02

He is not estimating the mileage, he is estimating with the year. If he was going by mileage then the car would have like 40k left.

Nosepicker

I thought timing belt changes were recommended every 70K.

02civicsi02

The belt is like 90k to 110k and a chain is more of 140k to 170k.

ubnpast

iTrader: (4)

Chains dont need replacing unless they become defective. Ive had and seen many toyotas with 220k + miles easily.

jameslinkinpark: Where are you located? My 04 has 80k on it, just ordered the kit. If you are in the nj tri-state area and want to stop by I can help you out.