Timing Interval Changed by Acura to 90,000miles and no year limit...

[Sig]

***I meant to write Timing "Belt" in the thread title. Hopefully, the message got through.***

I actually stole this post from Kevin on the NSXSC board, but thought many here would be interested in what he had to say.

His Post:
"I took my 1991 NSX with 60,000 miles on it to the acura dealer in Kansas City and i was going to have the timing belt and water pump replaced and they said they received a service bulletin that stated that they were changeing the timing belt replacement to 90,000 miles and are no longer putting a year requirement on it. They said not to spend the money on it untill it reached 90,000 miles that year didn't matter.I also took my car to brookfeild acura and had it serviced and they also said nothing about changeing the timing belt at this tinme and they have serviced the car for the past 6 years."

[This message has been edited by Sig (edited 23 May 2002).]

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I read this also in another post. I sent an e-mail off the American Honda (Kent Shepley)and asked them to confirm this "officially". I have not gotten any word back yet.

Personally, until I see the service bulletin, get the word from American Honda, or other reliable source, I am skeptical.

I just got off the phone with a very well respected NSX Tech out here is the east. He is not aware of a service bulletin about this change.

I just don't want to see folks dismiss this prematurely, then have a real $$$$$ problem on their hands later.

Sig,

Can you get the service bulletin #??

My $.02

LarryB

 

[Tom Larkins]

Likewise, I saw this post awhile back. The original post was from someone whom was from Topeka, Kansas. The car was taken to Superior Acura in KC. I heard no response from them on the issue.

 

[nsxtasy]

My dealer tried searching and as far as they could find, no such Technical Service Bulletin exists.

Unless we hear anything official from American Honda, I would assume that their recommendation of 90,000 miles or 6 years, whichever comes first, is still in effect.

 

[hendu]

For me common sense tells me this doesn't sound right. Why would Honda issue something like that? It seems like they would likely incur more liability for no reason. I could MAYBE see them changing it to 90k or 9 years, but NO time limit at all makes me skeptical.

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1994 Red/Black NSX #418
Forums Nazi Groupie

 

[ub2slw]

Could the TSB be for new '02 NSXs?

 

[NoClgDeg]

Try to get something in writing otherwise you are SOL if you take the chance. Would you rather spend $1400 for the T/B and W/P or $20,000 for a new motor?

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91 Red/Ivory #2061

 

[Roadrunner]

OK folks; open your owners manual and read the recomended replacement milage/time frame. My 97 states 84 mos. or 105,000 miles in regular or severe driving. The only time they recommend 60k miles is if the car is normally driven in high temps (110f) or cold temps (-20f). See page 154 and page 189 if your manual is similar to mine. And they do state "regularly drivr at these temps", not occasionally. I felt dealerships had pushed to modify the service interval for more business.

 

[westernb4]

My manual (1993) says 90000 miles but I can't find any mention of length of time.
As I mentioned in a previous post, with a car as rare as the NSX, that timing belt that you're putting into your six year old car could have been sitting on the parts shelf for seven years.

[This message has been edited by westernb4 (edited 23 May 2002).]

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Seems like we have some new facts here. I am not sure why the 1993 does not say 6 years, but I know that this has been the case until this recent discussion. In my conversation with the NSX Tech he mentioned that most Acura's DID go to 105K instead of 90K. This is due to a change in the belt design. My 1991 Accord was 60K when I got it, but was updated within the first year to 90K. That was also due to a material change in the belt.

One thing is for sure, as late as 1997 there was STILL a time/milage interval, as has been pointed out. The other thing to understand is that even if a 2002 has that maintenance schedule, it DOES NOT mean all of us with older cars can just ignore the maintenance schedule we got with our cars.

Talk about belts being on the shelf, these belts have been in our cars, some 11 years worst case.

My car is a 1991 and I just changed it for the first time, 11 years. It didn't owe me anything as far as I was concerned.

The belt looked and felt OK, but..... it's a lot of money if you break it. I would say 4X the cost of replacing the belt, if you are lucky. If it breaks at 8K rpm, it would be really sad, and potentially a lot worse.

Hell, It's why Alstate is in business!!!!

Another $.02

LarryB

 

[Tom Larkins]

FYI- I Posted on this topic on 4/19 with most everyone going past the specified service dated w/o any concerns. Larry's 91 is the greatest amount of time that I have seen after several months of research on this issue before i purchased my 96. For what its worth: Mortgan Peetz,NSX Tech. @ Acura of Portland did a used car inspect for me and the 30k service before I got my car sent to me. He had heard nothing about any type of change in the timing belt service, however it was ok to go somewhat past the 6yr/60k specs. If its worth anything. Superior Acura is one of only two Acura stores in Kansas City, which is where this info was given. I payed them a visit to look at a 95t that was listed in the Kansas City Star. They told me it was a 5speed, it wasn't and the car was perfect, and it wasn't. So you got a 95 automatic with if I remember right 30k in milage and priced @ $48k. Enough said...

 

[NSX-00054]

2002 Manual

Normal/Severe Conditions: 105K miles/84 months (With astrix*)

* Timing belt should normally be replaced at the intervals shown in the maintenance schedule.
Replace this belt at 60,000 miles if you regularly drive your car in one or more of these conditions:
•In very high temps over 110°F
•In very low temps - under -20°F

 

[greenapple]

I know of several instances where the timing belts were never changed on some honda accords. One even went close to 200K before finally breaking. On a personal note, I have a 1980 Fiat with 45K that's still running with it's original belt (which will finally be replaced next week).
But I guess replacing the timing belt at the recommended interval is good insurance. Better safe then sorry.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Tom,

Just for the record my 1991 has 30K miles. Six of the eleven years (the previous owner) kept in a carpeted temperature controlled garage.

With that is mind I stretched it out, since the car has not been even exposed to bad conditions for over half it's life.

I will say, the belt really looked OK. It was not brittle, did not crack when I twisted it, and looked exactly as the new one, just a little worn off paint fopr the part number.

The thing that surprised me was that the weep hole in the water pump was green from coolant weeping, ever so slightly. The pump did not turn as smooth as the new one.

LarryB

 

[Tom Larkins]

Originally posted by Larry Bastanza:
Tom,

Just for the record my 1991 has 30K miles. Six of the eleven years (the previous owner) kept in a carpeted temperature controlled garage.

With that is mind I stretched it out, since the car has not been even exposed to bad conditions for over half it's life.

LarryB

Larry, For a new owner like myself. I just purchased a 96 with 27k on it that came from the original owner in Portland OR. Was only driven by the previous owner in good weather months in OR and kept in a garage & never saw the rain. Portland has a fair, but moist climate with few cold or hot days like what is indicated in posts above. Now my car is in Kansas City and I will never drive it from Oct to March because our winters can be harsh and the roads suck, and it will be kept in a climate controled garage except when driven during the summer when we may get several weeks of 100 degree days. Are you saying the the wear will be less on the belt and its change could be delayed somewhat. Just wondering, as I will most likley put off the timing/water pump change until year 7.
Tom

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Tom,

It sounds like the car maybe has not quite had the babied life of mine, but close. One thing you could do is have the belt inspected for any sign of wear, then make YOUR decision. Please understand that you are kind of asking me to look into a "crystal ball";-). I really do not have one!! My experience tells me you will MOST LIKELY be fine, BUT.... THIS HAS TO BE YOUR DECISION, SINCE IT IS YOUR RISK.

Some folks may read this above post, in regard to the time I left the belt on and say: "He's crazy, I would have changed it as soon as I got the car".

I have a very high "faith factor" about honda parts, but I will say the water pump made me question my "faith";-)

Each of us has to decide on this based on our own ability to deal with risk. The other thing to think about is if you do it, you will be good for another 72 months at least. If you get a new style (new material) belt, you may be good for 84 months.

Right now I have no need to even think about having to go back in there!! It's too far away. Now it's all about driving!!!!!!

Good Luck,
LarryB

 

[Tom Larkins]

Larry, thanks for the info. Like yourself I have great faith in Acura, but its not worth the risk, I had not seen that type of commentary before. I want to drive the car for another couple of months to see what changes I want to make from OEM. Right now the lack of noise is already driving my nuts and i'm considering the RM cold intake and different exhaust "not headers" just for my own pleasure, but that about it. Most likley to replace T/belt & wp next summer @ 7 years. I'm leaning on keeping it as close to OEM as possible as I want to move up to a 2nd gen car in 04 if they can keep its costs less than $100k, but that a big if. Again, thanks, i've found a wealth of info from you guys. Tom

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by westernb4:
with a car as rare as the NSX, that timing belt that you're putting into your six year old car could have been sitting on the parts shelf for seven years.

Only if the Acura dealer averages much less than one NSX timing belt replacement per year - in which case, that's not where I would want to take my car to have it done!

 

[cojones]

Originally posted by Roadrunner:
OK folks; open your owners manual and read the recomended replacement milage/time frame. My 97 states 84 mos. or 105,000 miles in regular or severe driving.

What model year did they change the service interval from 90K miles/72 mo to 105K miles/84 mo ??

Is it a different service interval for 3.0L vs 3.2L motors ??