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Preventative Head Gasket when doing Timing belt? [solved]
Hey everyone,
I have a 2004 Civic VP with 157k miles. My parents bought it brand new and babied it for first 140k, I've been driving it for last 5 years or so, and plan to for a lot longer (they love seeing it around and it's great to drive). But here's the deal...
I recently realized that the Timing belt had been done at 80k which is now 80k ago and most importantly 13 years old on the Timing belt! My understanding is 7 years on the belt so I guess I'm getting that changed immediately? Honda service advisor couldn't figure why I was wanting to make appt for timing when it hadn't been showing any symptoms of needing a new timing belt (huh?). He said bring it in first for $100 inspection and can check condition of timing belt and head gasket?
So now that I am planning on getting Timing (and H20 pump/idlers etc) done, I see where if you're doing the head gaskets to go ahead and do the new Timing belt while in there. Is that the same in reverse?
-Should I go ahead and do the Head gasket and save labor since they will already have to be in there so deep (alt, valve cover, wiring loom, timing cover and belt etc)? What if the head gasket goes and they have to get right back in there past the timing belt?
I know that's a mentality of where do you stop replacing items on the 20 year old car if doing it preventatively. But I hear these Civic's have reputation of leaking and I'd rather not be waiting for it to blow and resulting head warp damage if it's just a few hundred more now on the timing belt job. This Civic has never overheated, but the gunk that showed itself from an old leaky hose makes me wonder about the inside condition.
What would you do, wait for it to possibly leak head gasket later or knock it out now?
Thanks
re: Preventative Head Gasket when doing Timing belt? [solved]
Thanks for the reply. I haven't had any symptoms of cooling system issues so far (knock on wood). And I don't really like the thought of opening the coolant system can of worms if not needed. I am leaning towards leaving it be.
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re: Preventative Head Gasket when doing Timing belt? [solved]
TB replacement for 7th gen is every 7 years or 60k-100k miles. Besides timing belt, tensioner + spring, water pump it would be a good time to replace the accessory belts (ex: alternator, ac, ps pump).
You may want to consider replacing the coolant system's thermostat too. Not a necessity, but could make sense if not known when last replaced. If a thermostat fails in closed position it can pretty quickly cause a potential overheat situation.
re: Preventative Head Gasket when doing Timing belt? [solved]
Yeah, I'm surprised I spaced it so bad about the time span of the belt, I guess I was mostly going by the mileage.
Thermostat has never been changed so I'll do that. I'll have to read up, but any other small items like the thermostat that can go a long ways towards preventing overheating?
re: Preventative Head Gasket when doing Timing belt? [solved]
I was really surprised at how adamant the service advisor was that it may not be a problem even at that age (this was at a Honda dealership too). Guess I won't be going there.
Looks like I'll be sticking with just the TB job, which is great since that by itself was $1k at independent mech to $1500 at the stealership.
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re: Preventative Head Gasket when doing Timing belt? [solved]
Originally Posted by 3T0B3
I was really surprised at how adamant the service advisor was that it may not be a problem even at that age (this was at a Honda dealership too). Guess I won't be going there.
Possibly, the service manager mindset might be based on his experience of other customers cars that have had their timing belts on way past the years/mileage range and haven't (luckily) failed. He also might be basing it on your car's current (NADA/KBB) value vs. the money it will cost you for the parts and labor ($1,500 their price). With over 150k miles some owners might choose to drive it until fails instead of the cost of the parts and labor. Could last a week or could last several years before failing.
re: Preventative Head Gasket when doing Timing belt? [solved]
Your cost angle makes perfect sense. But we didn't get as far as discussing price (I called last week as was given $1500 info & when I called back to make sure that was kit not just belt, got this person). He said bring in for separate appt for $100 inspection (that comes off if getting work done), and they'll pull everything off to inspect timing belt and see if needed.
I had just assumed 12 yrs old was way over the 7 yr in owners manual. My brother had 200k on first belt when trading in his Ody, so maybe I'm overthinking it all : )
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re: Preventative Head Gasket when doing Timing belt? [solved]
Only way a visual inspection of the belt is going to prove there is an issue with it is if there's obvious stranding, tear or wear. The belt may look completely fine regardless of mileage. The service manual's suggested replacement interval is hopefully prevent a broken belt while driving that can lead to bent intake/exhaust valves on these "interference" engines.
Bottom line is follow the service manual's suggestion or risk facing potential catastrophic damage to the valves. If that happens the repair will be upped a minimum of several hundreds of dollars more in addition to the Timing belt kit and labor.
re: Preventative Head Gasket when doing Timing belt? [solved]
If anything, I thought he was older & maybe he knew something like snapped belts from age is overrated or something like that. Anyways, I'm over it haha.
I did start thinking more about my cooling system condition after reading some mechanic paperwork etc.
10k miles ago in March '19 I had the upper & lower rad hoses replaced (at local Firestone). They were leaking from the connection and showed some scaly, funk that leaked out (check pic) so I had changed. The receipt says they used "Armor Global extended life" and is green.
When they drain for the timing belt would you guys (for the sake of keeping HG in tip top shape) go ahead and switch over to the blue stuff, or does it not really matter much.
