Was curious if there are owners on here that have had timing belt failures or heard of any failures.. I know the TBs are important to change on time. Am wondering if they are not changed how long they have lasted.
Was curious if there are owners on here that have had timing belt failures or heard of any failures.. I know the TBs are important to change on time. Am wondering if they are not changed how long they have lasted.
My biggest fear is a harmonic balancer failure.
OK, I've owned my 95 since new and now have 37,215 miles on it. I have been reading about this timing belt thing for the last several years. At my 30K service, the Acura tech inspected my belt for any signs of impending failure. He said it still looked new at that time. We decided to wait until my 45K service. I know what you're thinking...the car would be 20 years old at that time with my present driving. Every bit of rubber on this car still looks new with NO sign of aging whatsoever. That had driven my decision in not changing the belt. Long story short, this site finally made me paranoid to drive the car anymore in fear of the belt failing. So today, the belt was changed. I can now report for what it is worth that the belt STILL looks new and when folded completely backwards shows no signs of rubber cracking in any of the teeth. I mention this only for informational purposes. I do have to report that now my mind is at ease and I can drive my beloved car again and let the engine sing like it was meant to. Would I put off getting it done if I had been able to examine it? No. What the heck, peace of mind is worth something. I don't write this to promote not changing the belt on time. I think each owner has to look at their circumstances. My car has never been tracked and since I'm the only driver, I know how it has been treated since day one. The car has never been driven in inclimate weather and always garaged and covered. Just thought this might be interesting.
If anyone continues this subject, please provide a link to a KNOWN belt failure. I don't think I've found one on Prime from a first person perspective unless they were racing/or abusing the engine. I have not found any Acura tech that has heard of an NSX belt failure.
At my 30K service, the Acura tech inspected my belt for any signs of impending failure. He said it still looked new at that time.
It is impossible to determine the remaining life of a timing belt by visual inspection. Timing belts are elastomeric devices--kind of like a heater or radiator hose only much more critical and highly stressed. The main load-carrying fibers are invisible and you just can't tell what shape the belt is in without a destructive test which, of course, can't be performed while the belt is on the pulley. Any mechanic who claims otherwise is not one I would trust to perform any work my NSX.
By the way, the reason you haven't heard any Acura mechanic mention a NSX timing belt failure is because most Acura mechanics see very few, if any, NSXs and the vast majority of NSX owners adhere rigidly to the maintenance schedule.
I'm sorry, but did you have your TIMING BELT changed? It sounds that you had some belt other than your timing belt changed. Did you also have your water pump changed at the same time you had your "timing belt" changed? How long did it take to change your belt, and what was the cost if I may ask.
It is impossible to determine the remaining life of a timing belt by visual inspection. Timing belts are elastomeric devices--kind of like a heater or radiator hose only much more critical and highly stressed. The main load-carrying fibers are invisible and you just can't tell what shape the belt is in without a destructive test which, of course, can't be performed while the belt is on the pulley. Any mechanic who claims otherwise is not one I would trust to perform any work my NSX.
By the way, the reason you haven't heard any Acura mechanic mention a NSX timing belt failure is because most Acura mechanics see very few, if any, NSXs and the vast majority of NSX owners adhere rigidly to the maintenance schedule.
I don't disagree with this at all. I was merely providing information on my belt. I think I read about another similar circumstance a few years ago where the belt showed no signs of aging. That probably influenced my decision to put mine off. Again, I'm glad I had the service done because now I'm at peace with driving my car. I do understand there are few NSX's for mechanics to work on, but Legends kind of fall in this category too and there have been very few failures on those engines as well. I believe, as you do, there is no definitive way of knowing if a belt is about to break. That said, following the recommended maintenance schedule would be good advice for all. The cost of the belt change is inexpensive insurance compared to the cost of rebuilding an engine.
OK, I've owned my 95 since new and now have 37,215 miles on it. I have been reading about this timing belt thing for the last several years. At my 30K service, the Acura tech inspected my belt for any signs of impending failure. He said it still looked new at that time. We decided to wait until my 45K service. I know what you're thinking...the car would be 20 years old at that time with my present driving. Every bit of rubber on this car still looks new with NO sign of aging whatsoever. That had driven my decision in not changing the belt. Long story short, this site finally made me paranoid to drive the car anymore in fear of the belt failing. So today, the belt was changed. I can now report for what it is worth that the belt STILL looks new and when folded completely backwards shows no signs of rubber cracking in any of the teeth. I mention this only for informational purposes. I do have to report that now my mind is at ease and I can drive my beloved car again and let the engine sing like it was meant to. Would I put off getting it done if I had been able to examine it? No. What the heck, peace of mind is worth something. I don't write this to promote not changing the belt on time. I think each owner has to look at their circumstances. My car has never been tracked and since I'm the only driver, I know how it has been treated since day one. The car has never been driven in inclimate weather and always garaged and covered. Just thought this might be interesting.
If anyone continues this subject, please provide a link to a KNOWN belt failure. I don't think I've found one on Prime from a first person perspective unless they were racing/or abusing the engine. I have not found any Acura tech that has heard of an NSX belt failure.
The recommended schedule is 90K miles or 9 years.
My 1992 has 20,000 miles and original timing belt but I am thinking about it but nearly $1500 makes me gamble.
My 1992 has 20,000 miles and original timing belt but I am thinking about it but nearly $1500 makes me gamble.
My 1992 has 20,000 miles and original timing belt but I am thinking about it but nearly $1500 makes me gamble.
Well if you really want to know the truth and take a risk like me, you'll end up paying for it. I have 55k and 8 years on my TB and it snapped on my way to work this morning. The speed limit is no higher than 35mph so I usually just keep the car in 1st gear. Less shifting means I'll get more mileage out of my original clutch that has 72k on it. I called AAA and had the car towed to my mechanic. I haven't heard back from him yet, but I'll probably need a new engine.