Timing belt question

[Beaknose]

Fellow 'X' owners,

I have a '91 with a little over 73k miles that I have owned for about two months. According to the maintenance records, the timing belt and water pump were replaced on 8/26/98 when the car had 68,160 miles, this was done at an Acura dealership near to where I live. The car has been garaged and pampered by the last two owners. Should I go ahead and have this procedure done again since it is now 6 years since it was done last, or not worry about it until more miles are placed on the car? The timing belt only has 5,000 miles on it.

Also, aside from Acura dealerships, does anyone know of a reputable shop in the KS, NE and MO area that can do this type of maintenance on an 'X'? I realize I will eventually need to get the belt and pump replaced. I just want to shop around first before having the procedure done. Thanks.

John
'91 Red/Ivory

 

[T Bolen]

Good question. Since Acura changed the interval in '97 to 105K miles or 7 years, I am curious if the actual belt changed too. IOW, is the 3.2 belt the same part # as the 3.0? If it is, you should be safe to wait another year.

Does anyone know if the belt p/n changed?

 

[drew]

I hope somebody who really knows steps in here, but the jump to 105K miles for a timing belt was made because of a Federal legislation/decision.

I think the timing belt was (now) considered an emission part and they must last for a 100K miles or the car maker would be on the hook for replacement. Rather than pay for a whole bunch of timing belt replacements, they just made all the timing belts 105K miles. My ex-GF's Miata maintenance specs was changed mid-stream from 75K to 105K. No part change, no nothing. Amazing.

So I doubt very much the NSX timing belt p/n changed...they just changed the schedule a bit.

 

[tucsonsx]

I've seen timing belts sit on the shelf at the dealer for years and then be installed. Who knows how long it sat on a shelf at the manufacturer and then the distributor before being shipped to the dealer. I have never seen a date of manufacture on a timing belt ( or knew how to read the code if the date is coded on the belt similar to the coding on battery); how do you know how old the belt being installed on your car really is? Lets say the belt sat on various shelfs for six years or more; is it now due for an immediate change directly after being installed?

 

[T Bolen]

I would tend to think that the heat of the engine is the factor on age rather than the age itself. That, combined with the fact that once installed, it is under tension.
But, like Dennis Miller, I could be wrong...

 

[Larry Bastanza]

The timing belt has not changed in the history of the car, still the same part number from 1991. I would not consider a timing belt sitting on the shelf the same as it aging in the car though, as T Bolen points out.

Theoretically, using the newer maintenence schedule, all 1997 (7 years) and older cars are due, and in fact in 2004 regardless of the older maintenance spec this statment is completely true.

You still have to make your own choice though, "Do you feel lucky??"

HTH,
LarryB

 

[nsxtasy]

Fellow 'X' owners

Sorry, we don't call it an "X". It's called an NSX. It's not an MD-X, a CRX, or an SVX. It's not an X. It's an NSX.

Also, aside from Acura dealerships, does anyone know of a reputable shop in the KS, NE and MO area that can do this type of maintenance on an [EDIT - NSX the car's name is NSX]?

There's a fellow in St. Louis that some of the guys there use, but no other in those states. And I'm not sure if even he has changed any timing belts.

I certainly wouldn't want mine changed by someone who has never done one before. In many cases, that means your choices are to go to the dealer, or to travel. The very best NSX techs are usually at dealers, including the one in Milwaukee and two of the Chicago area dealers. Except in the West and near New York City, very few are outside of dealerships.

I've seen timing belts sit on the shelf at the dealer for years and then be installed.

This is one more reason for getting your car serviced at a place that does a lot of NSX service work, which would have more turnover of NSX parts. However, in all fairness, a place that doesn't do a lot of NSX service work probably wouldn't even keep a timing belt in stock.

 

[kgb_agent]

Sorry, we don't call it an "X". It's called an NSX. It's not an MD-X, a CRX, or an SVX. It's not an X. It's an NSX.

Yes we do. I do as well as many others on this site do. I'm not sure why this is such a problem to you as have made this statement on another post and I did not comment.

(And, no, I am not going to go search for examples; let the Nazi do that!)

 

[nsxtasy]

MOST people don't. Almost NO ONE here.

Read the books. Talk to people. Heck, read all the topics you can here. Most NSX owners do NOT call it an "X". I bet you won't find more than five of the thousands of NSXprime members have referred to it as an "X". Just like owners of the 360 Modena don't refer to it as a "zero".

I've talked with almost all of the 400+ people who have attended the seven NSXPOs and I have never - not even ONCE - heard anyone refer to his car as an "X".

 

[Beaknose]

I certainly did not mean any offense to anyone by calling the NSX an 'X'. I was merely replicating off other replies I have received when I purchased my car back in June. Other cars are addressed as abbreviations, I didn't think calling it an 'X' would arouse these type of replies. If anything, this feedback is testament to the type of passion NSX owners have for their cars. I am still quite a neophyte with this car as well as the protocols that are followed on this site. I hope as time goes on, I can gain a better understanding of these cars and the people who own them. All I ask is just a little patience and understanding from the veterans as I "learn the ropes". Thank you.

John
'91 Red/Ivory

 

[ceeya32]

Amen John, some people have got to learn to chill. I have called it my x in the past, what's the big deal?

 

[nsxtasy]

Thanks, John. No offense taken, just tryin' to help you learn the ropes. I'll be happy to provide additional advice along the way!