From: rll@frieda.mitre.org (Roberto L. Landrau)
Subject: Re: Timing belts on Honda
Organization: Research Computer Facility, MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 11:18:34 GMT

In article <SYNTH.92Oct5120004@deepthought.unm.edu> synth@deepthought.unm.edu (Synth F. Oberheim) writes:
>Your '89 Accord's timing belt should be guaranteed until 90,000 miles --
>have you checked with your dealer to make sure?

Have YOU checked with YOUR dealer to make sure?  The powertrain
warranty thay our Honda dealer offered in 1989 was only 2 yrs/24k
miles.  Chrysler was offering 7/70, Ford and GM 6/60 on most of their
models.

>As for changing it before its due date, this is up to you -- if it
>breaks prematurely Honda should take responsibility for the resulting
>damage,

Correction: if it breaks while the car is still under warranty, Honda
may take responsibility.  If it breaks after, it is up to the dealer.

>but changing it now would avert a big mess like this.  If
>you've heard enough first- hand horror stories, I'd alert Honda, have
>your belt inspected, and if there is a problem found with your belt,
>see if they will cover the expense of changing it now instead of
>covering the expense of repairing your engine later. :-)

Just because the timing belt passes a visual inspection doesn't mean
it is guaranteed to last for a while.  I have heard of timing belts
breaking without showing any signs of wear prior to that.

This topic has been brought up in the net many times before (just like
99% of the topics discussed here, anyway...:).  The conclusion has
always been (it is probably in the FAQ) that if there is not enough
clearance between the valves and the pistons, serious damage will
occur if the belt breaks, so you should change the timing belt every
60k miles (whether it needs it or not).  SOme timing belts won't even
last that long.  For most Hondas, 60k is safe (that's once or twice in
the life of the car, anyway.)  The first Preludes had serious
problems.  A recall was issued.  Fortunately, that engine did have
enough clearance to allow the crank to rotate with the camshaft
stationary.

>ujmli> Also, i have a '92 Civic CX and i heard that its timing belt is
>ujmli> suppose to last til at least 90k. Is that true?

It is probably true, but I wouldn't count on it.  Ours has 95k and it
hasn't broken yet.  It is going to have one installed next week.  My
neighbor just changed his after 135k on his '87 CRX.  The question you
should ask yourself is... do you feel lucky?

>Your '92 Civic should definitely be guaranteed until 90K.

I agree it SHOULD be, but I bet it isn't, unless you bought an
extended warranty.  I believe the warranty on the new Civics is 3/36k,
not 9/90k.  If it is, please let me know ASAP.  I'll seriously
consider buying one to replace our '88.  The 3/36 doesn't apply to
emission control equipment (5/50 by Federal law, I think) and passive
restraints (by law, I think).

>===============================================================================
>    :: :: :: :: ::     Synth F.    synth@deepthought.unm.edu    U S E N E T   
> :: :: :: :: :: :: ::  Oberheim    synth@yenta.alb.nm.us             in color!
>===============================================================================
>SPY MAGAZINE'S 1,000 REASONS NOT TO VOTE FOR GEORGE BUSH:
>#550: "I happen to think it was right" -- March 1980, on his support of Roe v.
>Wade.  #551: "My position hasn't changed. I am, uh, pro-pro-uh, pro-life."

SPY MAGAZINE'S 1,000 REASONS NOT TO VOTE FOR DAN QUALE:
#552: "I never smoked, but I did inhale" :)

--
The opinions stated above are not necessarily my employer's.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Roberto L. Landrau    KC1YP    landrau@mitre.org  rll@linus.mitre.org
The MITRE Corporation  Bedford, MA 01730          rll@linus.UUCP
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