Cam belts 100,000

[mickjc75]

Hi, I have an 88 prelude, with 306,000 kM on it.

I bought it 5 years ago with 150,000 and had the belt changed.

Although the current belt has done around 150,000 it has only been in for 5 yr's.
I know 100,000 is the reccomended use, but what is the real sort of life expectancy of a belt?
I'm wondering if it's worth changing in a motor with 306,000 on it, or if it is likely to last the life of the car.
The motor dosent burn oil and still has power, but i don't know how long it will last? I drive it pretty hard, but i always warm it up first.

I'd like to hear from people with 88 preludes (or older) with 300,000+

[EuroDude]

Change the Belt ASAP. You can't determine when its gonna snap, it could be 150,000, it could be 300,000. It depends on many factors such as temperature and humidity, fluids touching the belt, how tight the belt it, how hard u drive, etc..

Same with the Engine, you cant predict how long its gonna last. If its still got good power and not burning oil, then it could last another 200,000km if you service it properly.

[JasonGilholme]

simple....change the belt or be prepared to change the engine.

[Brash22]

Should the timing belt break, there's a good chance you'll be able to see the valves through the back of the pistons, and that might be expensive...

Change the belt. It's cheap insurance.

[EuroDude]

Some engines are safe when the belt snaps, but most Honda's are an "interference" design which means the pistons may crash into the valves and cause havoc.

From what I understand, only some 3.2L Acura engines are non-interference

[ECU-MAN]

your 88 prelude does not stand a chance if the belt snap ( which it will very soon ). it will cost you about 2k to fix. only costs about $200 to have the belt changed.

thier are a few honda 4 bangers that are free running, but this engine is not.

hope your cam seals are not leaking

[vtek]

yeah ive seen one snap at 200,000kms and bent all the valves so the engine need t be reconditioned.

[EuroDude]

^ My friends civic's timing belt has done 210,000km and is due for a snap soon... just doesnt wanna change it lol

[vtek]

Some civics are ok tho, had a ED snap a belt. but just changed it and off he went again. Was lucky though.

[ECU-MAN]

yeah the D15 series will be ok :)

[mickjc75]

your 88 prelude does not stand a chance if the belt snap ( which it will very soon ). it will cost you about 2k to fix. only costs about $200 to have the belt changed.

thier are a few honda 4 bangers that are free running, but this engine is not.

hope your cam seals are not leaking

From memory I spent around $600-$700 to have it changed, that was by ethridge ford ringwood. Hopefully they did the seal, I know leaking oil can perish the belt.

If I could get it for $200, I'd do it now. Maybe I should look around more. Any suggestions? I'm in doveton, eastern suburbs melbourne vic.

My main fear is that I'm starting to spend bucks on a motor that may blow its rings, or do a big end bearing, or have the ecu die, or whatever in another 20-30,000.
I'm due for a bonus mid year, so if it makes it that far I'll get it changed.

Thanks for all the responses guys, I am aware that If the belt snaps it's big damage, I had an 84 civic before this, and the nut came loose on the cam pully, it made a big "POOMF" noise and bent valves.

It was interesting to hear about the one that snapped, i guess at 150,000 mine could be close.


Regards,

[EuroDude]

$600-$700 :eek: u got ripped dude.

The genuine belt is what $150, plus 2-3hours labour ~$200 -$300


oh yeh, my friends civ has a D15Y (EG Gli) so maybe it will be ok when the belt snaps :p

[ek4-guy]

firstly EuroDude can you tell me this mechanic that charges $25 an hour or maybe your saying $200 in labour witch with the belt would make it $350

my thought is a little different mate bassically you have to consider the cheapest price you can get the timming done and if thats $600 then you have already saved yourself $600 and your 50,000kms down the road to saving another $600 so at the least you've saved yourself $900 and maybe even $1200 by the time the belt snaps

and with that $1200 im sure you could buy a second hand low km motor for your car

and as for spending 2k on fixing your motor if the timming belt snaps id just buy a new car if that was the case i just seen a 88 prelude Si for $2990

[EuroDude]

Yes roughly $200 for labour only.

My mech changed the timing belt in 2-3 hours and charged about $70 per hour if I recall correctly. It was a mobile mechanic as well. $70 is pretty cheap I guess..

btw, I also didnt change the belt in 200,000km. lucky it didnt snap :p

[panda[cRx]]

Hi, I have an 88 prelude, with 306,000 kM on it.

I bought it 5 years ago with 150,000 and had the belt changed.

Although the current belt has done around 150,000 it has only been in for 5 yr's.
I know 100,000 is the reccomended use, but what is the real sort of life expectancy of a belt?

they are due every 5yrs or 100,000kms for a reason. there is no set life expectancy for cambelts so it's better to be on the safe side


$600-$700 :eek: u got ripped dude.

The genuine belt is what $150, plus 2hours labour ~$200 max



lmfao who only charges 2 hrs?
most will charge 3-3.5 depending on the car (even more for some v6 legends which are an absolute bitch to do)

[EuroDude]

My mech was generous I guess :p
But yeh ur right, some engines are easier than others

[ECU-MAN]

this is funy

a good mechanic can change the belt in 1.5 hours, belt cost 50 to 70, labour 130 to 150


a mechanic with nfi will take longer to change the belt waisting time cursing and spuring how hard it is to get the belt off. so you pay more for his labour coz it takes him longer

moral of the story

good mechanic = stupid for doing it quick
dodgy mechanic = smart for taking his time

:)

I can change a v6 belt quicker than the 88 prelude :)

[Drew]

$600-$700 :eek: u got ripped dude.

The genuine belt is what $150, plus 2-3hours labour ~$200 -$300


oh yeh, my friends civ has a D15Y (EG Gli) so maybe it will be ok when the belt snaps :p

Then by the time you add all the necessary seals to that and anything else that might need to be changed... After all 300K is a fair bit of millage and the water pump would most certainly be worthwhile changing especially if it hasn't been done in the past

A Dayco kit will probably run you into about $250-/+ depending if the mechanic wants to make up his own price or charge you RRP
Water pump is probably going to cost you $100 odd

Most mechanics will charge 3 or so hours regardless

[Hans Bond]

hi.. just bought the 5th gen lude.. did anyone know a good service centre in ringwood/heathmont/bayswater area to replace the cam belt? my lude soon reach 100k

[panda[cRx]]

get a dealer to do it imo.
local to u are:

eastern honda - doncaster
patterson cheney - ringwood
courtney & patterson

[Drew]

hi.. just bought the 5th gen lude.. did anyone know a good service centre in ringwood/heathmont/bayswater area to replace the cam belt? my lude soon reach 100k

Supply the parts and I'll do it for $200 :wave:

My CH9 Accord needs to have the belt changed when I have time, come to think of it...
Spend 13 hours a day fixing other peoples car, don't even have time to fix my own -_-