Timing belt - change or not

The failure mode I'm familiar with is the teeth coming off a section of the belt.. other than that the belt usually looks good. You're over on both mileage and time... and you're asking if you need to change it or not?

Is it an interference motor?

Jim

Has it stretched?

How much is the replacement belt?

Good point, did not think of that but it feels tight. $60 Guess I will change it to be safe.

Yes

I would change it, unless you are willing to live with the uncertainty of a motor that could stop with no warning and possibly damage itself. Why not just follow the manufacturers already liberal maintenance policies and not have to worry every time you start the engine.

Get it replaced (approx $200-$400 if a garage fits it for you).

The belt will look perfectly fine in a visual inspection, but you won't be able to see that the internal fibres have weakened, and the security of the teeth is compromised.

Two failure modes I'm aware of:

These are interference engines. It's not a given that you will suffer valve damage, but the probability is high. If it happens, you may find it uneconomic to repair this car; they aren't worth much.

Change it. The consequences of failure are too high to fool around.

--scott

timing belts tend to look perfect until suddenly they don't. The tensioner keeps them tight and the cover keeps them clean. You know the answer to your question, you don't need to ask.

Brian

You're driving the vehicle now and aparently you intend to keep driving it for some time. You got good service off the belt. What would be the point of driving another year and then changing it? Change it now and enjoy the reliability for its lifetime.

"Martik" wrote in news:mTqOe.152174$wr.97033@clgrps12:

the retail cost of the engine failure that COULD occur would possibly put your 90 integra in a U-Pull it yard. ive ended up as far as R&R'ing bare blocks (cracked) with original pistons that werent hit, valves and rods that didnt bend, and heads that didnt crack. (hardly a good idea in a general dealer shop. measurements were with a caliper and a 'good eye' thats how warranty work was in the early 80's). but they all drove out under there own power or lack there of.................kjun

Hey, if you opt for a new belt, measure its width with a caliper. Write down the measurement and save it.

The best inspection for a good quality belt is to monitor the width change. As the belt ages, it stretches. When it stretches, it gets thinner.