Timing belt on Honda D engine ('93 Civic)

[ClareQuilty]

Just picked up a very good running and driving old Civic very cheap, but I've no way of knowing if the timing belt has ever been replaced. Though I generally doubt odometers in Thailand, this is a two owner car with 154,000 km, so it might be accurate. If so just overdue for its timing belt. As I've read these Honda motors are 'interference' engines, and so updating the timing belt before it breaks is vital.

Does anyone know if this is something that's easily checked, or will they need to take the engine apart to do it (in which case I might as well have them change it regardless), and also does anyone know how much this typically costs?

[NeverSure]

On that engine (90's ?) it's quite easy. The bolts are accessible by removing the left front tire and the top cam/valve cover. A mechanic should be able to do it in an hour or so.

Don't forget to change the tensioner. It's cheap. A rough guess would be 2k baht for parts plus labor.

Edit. Unless Thailand is a total rip off on the parts. In the US the parts would be about 1.5K baht so I bumped that for duties or whatever.

Edited March 21, 2015 by NeverSure

[kartman]

Starting another disc pad saga here ? you bought it cheap just change it.(If you bought it dear just change it)

Edited March 21, 2015 by kartman

[DavisH]

Here is the method.

Yes, get it done if you don't know the history of the car. Also replace oil/filter, air filter too, if they have not been done. Which car did you get? There are a number of d-series cars about.

You may find a non-dealer honda garage. They usually have some sign out the front advertising honda. There is one opposite my house and have ex-honda deal mechanics working there. Most regular garages could service it though as hondas are well known and easily serviceable.

[ClareQuilty]

It is a '93 Civic, guys, as it says in the topic title. Thanks for your advice, I think since it is such an important and yet not-very-expensive repair I might go to the dealer for this one. I'm kind of blown away by how nicely the car drives, so I think it would be worth a dealer visit for this.

[DavisH]

It is a '93 Civic, guys, as it says in the topic title. Thanks for your advice, I think since it is such an important and yet not-very-expensive repair I might go to the dealer for this one. I'm kind of blown away by how nicely the car drives, so I think it would be worth a dealer visit for this.

Yeah I saw that (1993) after I posted. These cars are pretty reliable. A honda dealer won't have any spares for this car, but will be able to source them. Despite that, it will be a good idea to use them unless you know of another reliable garage nearby.

[seedy]

I would recommend a genuine Honda belt.

No place to take a chance on a jobber part.

[ClareQuilty]

Well, I had the car in at Honda today, asked them to check the timing belt.. they removed the valve cover and part of the timing belt cover, and we took a look at it. About 3-4 of them took a gander, and all agreed the belt was fine for now, they stated it seemed fairly new.

They also checked the oil, the air filter, and the radiator fluid, adding only to the latter, and not suggesting replacing or changing anything. I was surprised. The whole visit was free.

I suppose I should trust their judgement, but I think I may go back and change it in just a few months, after the budget busting time of income-tax and visa-renewal...

[WarpSpeed]

On that engine (90's ?) it's quite easy. The bolts are accessible by removing the left front tire and the top cam/valve cover. A mechanic should be able to do it in an hour or so.

Don't forget to change the tensioner. It's cheap. A rough guess would be 2k baht for parts plus labor.

Edit. Unless Thailand is a total rip off on the parts. In the US the parts would be about 1.5K baht so I bumped that for duties or whatever.

I'd steer clear of any mechanic that does that job in an hour or so, done correctly it should be at least 2 to 2.5 hours, new valve cover gasket, water pump gasket and absolutely belt tensioner, there is quite a bit that needs to be removed, replaced and re-installed that's after installing the belt and as the above video noted the water pump should be replaced too at the same time so as not to have to do it all again in the near future.

[WarpSpeed]

Just so you won't look foolish thinking only 2.5 hours or less, after searching the net I found the dealer charge time for labor for this job, (DELETED), the dealer charge time is 5 hours which sounds about right to me, I think the parts estimate is a bit low as well, probably about 5 to 8000b if done correctly, which should also include the idler pulley.

I forgot, should also probably consider crankshaft and cam shaft seals as well while in there.

Edited March 25, 2015 by seedy
discuss moderation

[ClareQuilty]

Well my goodness, I will definitely have to put it off if it is that expensive. I could have gotten a whole new engine for the KE70 for 10,000!

The car just cost 50,000, I guess I could just drive it and see what happens. Hope to get a few years out of it of course, and it drives so nice. I have to say in my humble opinion this 'interference' engine design seems a frightful mistake on Honda's part.

[seedy]

If you have a link which will help the OP, by all means post it.

So long as these rules do not apply -

3) You will not post about activities or links to websites containing such material that are illegal in
Thailand. This includes but is not limited to: gambling, betting, pornography, illegal drugs, fake
goods/clothing, file sharing of pirated material, pyramid schemes, etc. Discussion of the above is
permitted only as news items, but never as a "how to" topic.

13) You will not post links to other Thailand forums, or forums which could reasonably be construed as
competition to Thaivisa.com or its sponsors.

[lostinisaan]

It is a '93 Civic, guys, as it says in the topic title. Thanks for your advice, I think since it is such an important and yet not-very-expensive repair I might go to the dealer for this one. I'm kind of blown away by how nicely the car drives, so I think it would be worth a dealer visit for this.

Please tell them to change the water pump and tensioner as well. Get your oil, inclusive filter changed, then tell them to check all steering parts.

The front drive shafts, etc...let them check all and you won't encounter other problems. Do not go to a no name place, as Honda will give you a warranty.

[lostinisaan]

Just so you won't look foolish thinking only 2.5 hours or less, after searching the net I found the dealer charge time for labor for this job, (DELETED), the dealer charge time is 5 hours which sounds about right to me, I think the parts estimate is a bit low as well, probably about 5 to 8000b if done correctly, which should also include the idler pulley.

I forgot, should also probably consider crankshaft and cam shaft seals as well while in there.

Plus new belts, oil, oil filter, air filter, etc..

Wouldn't you do all at the same time to be on the safe side?

[WarpSpeed]

Just so you won't look foolish thinking only 2.5 hours or less, after searching the net I found the dealer charge time for labor for this job, (DELETED), the dealer charge time is 5 hours which sounds about right to me, I think the parts estimate is a bit low as well, probably about 5 to 8000b if done correctly, which should also include the idler pulley.

I forgot, should also probably consider crankshaft and cam shaft seals as well while in there.

Plus new belts, oil, oil filter, air filter, etc..

Wouldn't you do all at the same time to be on the safe side?

Not really necessary for those yet in this case, only the parts that are inaccessible once the timing belt is done and all is back together, all others can be done in due time they're on the outside and more easily accessible.

Clare they are actually very good engines and because they have the clearances and timing they do they produce a lot of Hp out of a small bore engine. For the most part though they are bullet proof if properly taken care of and once you change the belt and the additional parts you'll likely never have to do it again during your ownership with many more care free miles/km left.

[WarpSpeed]

If you have a link which will help the OP, by all means post it.

So long as these rules do not apply -

3) You will not post about activities or links to websites containing such material that are illegal in

Thailand. This includes but is not limited to: gambling, betting, pornography, illegal drugs, fake

goods/clothing, file sharing of pirated material, pyramid schemes, etc. Discussion of the above is

permitted only as news items, but never as a "how to" topic.

13) You will not post links to other Thailand forums, or forums which could reasonably be construed as

competition to Thaivisa.com or its sponsors.

Even the mere mention got deleted anyway so why try? It was from another forum and any other motoring forum would be in essence a competing forum regardless of it being Thailand or not, the internet is not exclusive to Thailand just like motoring isn't either..