Timing Belt Replacement at 60K!

[SoCal-NSX]

I don't know if it's good news that I had it changed before it broke or bad news that when I had it replace last month it was in pristine condition. The bottom line for me was that now when I drive, Autocross or track I have piece of mind that it's not going to break.

Mechanics told me it's a toss up to replace at 60K miles as the 3rd owner with 9 years but I went for it.

Here are some pictures. More can be found here: http://degroff.us/photos/2004/Timingbelt/FrameSet.htm

It's nice to have it done. Note that my other belts DID need to be replaced, go figure.
Let me know if you have questions.
Dave

 

[coolnsx]

Dave, I had the same debate and changed the belt in my '94 Legend Coupe with 52K yesterday. Ten years seemed to push the limit in my mind. My NSX only has 32K so it will be a time issue again instead of miles.

 

[chriswtx]

my belt look pretty good when i replaced it at 58k miles. but it was also 10 years old, so why chance it. the book says every 90k or 7 years. so follow the maintainence schedual for safety. Then you wont have to worry...

 

[MarkB]

It seems to me that changing the timing belt based on time or miles (whichever comes first) is a no-brainer when one considers the potential damage a broken one can cause (JMO). When my mileage is up (late this year), I will, definitely, be changing mine.

 

[demigod]

I see that you're in Dana Point. Did you have it changed by Ramon at Niguel Motors?

 

[4AU4LIFE]

Had mine changed with my engine rebuild.
92, original belt(to my knowledge), 48K

 

[DocL]

Changed mine out at six years and 23k miles.

 

[Tony Montoya]

45k km and almost 13 years. I live very dangerously. If I start parting out the car you know it broke.

 

[nsxtasy]

What do you mean when you say "before (or after) the scheduled window"? It seems to me there are four possible alternatives if the answer is yes:

1. before the mileage and time recommendations were reached

2. before the mileage recommendation was reached, but after the time recommendation was reached

3. before the time recommendation was reached, but after the mileage recommendation was reached

4. after the mileage and time recommendations were reached

I'm not sure which of these four alternatives fall under each of the first two possible answers...

 

[MJK]

/\

Sign me up for #2 please.

 

[SoCal-NSX]

Demigod - Ramon is great and I've heard terrific things about Autowave in HB but I decided to have it changed at Mission Viejo Acura. I've been going there for years for my Integra, Vigor and now the NSX. I had all pumps and everything replaced and not only did they give me a huge discount but gave me a TSX as a loaner for a few days.

NSXtasy - You're right. It was vague
I'm in sales, what do you want from me!?!

I was just curious how many people played it safe and how many people waited.

Tony - you're a rebel!

Dave

 

[nsxexotic]

I've heard that sometimes cold weather can put extra stress on the belt.

 

[SoCal-NSX]

Good point. That was another part of the equation for me. I'm the 3rd owner and the second was in Colorado for 2 years. I assume the NSX never saw snow but it easily could have seen a lot of cold so that all added to the paranoia on getting it done sooner than later.

Dave

 

[myf16]

67k miles and 12.7 years. The old belt and water pump look great, but it's nice not to have to worry about this failure in a remote area (see avatar). Did all the water hoses too, so I'm good for another 15 years now.

 

[kgb_agent]

What do you mean when you say "before (or after) the scheduled window"? It seems to me there are four possible alternatives if the answer is yes:

1. before the mileage and time recommendations were reached

2. before the mileage recommendation was reached, but after the time recommendation was reached

3. before the time recommendation was reached, but after the mileage recommendation was reached

4. after the mileage and time recommendations were reached

I'm not sure which of these four alternatives fall under each of the first two possible answers...

Ken, you always make things too complicated

 

[Vytas]

45k km and almost 13 years. I live very dangerously. If I start parting out the car you know it broke.

That's really pushing it. You're on the virge of disaster with this car. You'd not spend $1100 now vs. facing $8000 in engine damage or parting out your car? Doesn't make sense to me. The timing belt may or may not break but the teeth can sheer off and that's enough to kill the motor.

A timing belt is a rubber component. It undergoes heat cycles every time you drive. It will start to deteriorate internally over time which is something you can't see. That's why all used timing belts "look new" when you inspect them. It's a false indication that the belt is good.

 

[LeftLane]

8 years and 52k miles, along with doing 60k service at same time

 

[SCS2k]

6 years and 27k miles.

 

[Gary W]

12 years and 10,000 miles

http://www.todaracing.com/products/honda_nsx/timing_belt.html

 

[pt91]

12 years and 31K miles.
I worked out new belts and water pump into the deal before I purchased the car.
I didn't want to lose sleep over something like this failing.