DIY 2000 CR-V Timing Belt Replacement

[SirFerret]

My CR-V has almost 150,000 miles on it, and I have a good hunch that it might be on the original timing belt. I bought the car used at around 145,000 miles, unsure if it has been changed (no service records). I am going to open up the valve cover this weekend to visually inspect the belt, but unless it is really bad, there is no way to tell how old it is. This brings me to my second question. The local repair shops quote around $700 for a new belt, water pump, etc.., which is a pretty average price. I am looking to do the work myself, because I can get all the parts off of Amazon for around $150.

Any personal experience on changing the timing belt on the Gen 1 CR-V? Is it possible to do at home without any special/expensive tools, or is it better just to get it professionally done?

Thanks!

[8695Beaters]

Timing belts are tricky. There is a reason the quote is so high from the shops. If you do it wrong, the belt can shred within a few miles (this drops all the valves in the bead and you're now rebuilding your engine). If the timing is off your car will run poorly at best and you can have piston to valve interference at worst (and again, rebuilding your engine). You will need an impact gun to make the job easier (you can remove the crank pulley by hand but it is an absolute pain). You will also need a long weekend to do it in. And don't forget to change the rear main seal! This is under the timing belt and if it starts to leak you'll have to do it all over again.

As far as engine work goes, a timing belt is about a 7 out of 10. It's fairly complicated so if you're at all uncomfortable, suck up the cost and get it done right. That $150 sounds like a steal, but remember rebuilding an engine will cost thousands. Want some good news? Timing belts almost never last more than 120,000 miles. My parent's first car snapped a belt at 110. There's pretty much no way your timing belt would still be original. Definitely take a look at it (and you should still replace it), but it's not going to be a dire emergency.

[jdmjester]

Timing belts are tricky. There is a reason the quote is so high from the shops. If you do it wrong, the belt can shred within a few miles (this drops all the valves in the bead and you're now rebuilding your engine). If the timing is off your car will run poorly at best and you can have piston to valve interference at worst (and again, rebuilding your engine). You will need an impact gun to make the job easier (you can remove the crank pulley by hand but it is an absolute pain). You will also need a long weekend to do it in. And don't forget to change the rear main seal! This is under the timing belt and if it starts to leak you'll have to do it all over again.

As far as engine work goes, a timing belt is about a 7 out of 10. It's fairly complicated so if you're at all uncomfortable, suck up the cost and get it done right. That $150 sounds like a steal, but remember rebuilding an engine will cost thousands. Want some good news? Timing belts almost never last more than 120,000 miles. My parent's first car snapped a belt at 110. There's pretty much no way your timing belt would still be original. Definitely take a look at it (and you should still replace it), but it's not going to be a dire emergency.

Sorry to bump an old thread, but it would be the front seal that you would want to change under the timing belt, in the oil pump. The rear main seal is on the backside of the motor underneath the flywheel. 6 or 7 10mm bolts on the back and it comes off after removing the oil pan (2 studs from the rear main are used for the oil pan).

When changing a timing belt, make sure you start with the engine at top dead center. Aligning the timing marks isn't so difficult. Make sure to change the water pump at this time (Might as well, you're already there), and inspect the belt tensioner to make sure it's not rusty or worn badly, consider replacing that as well.

[Steve 48329]

700 is cheap , I would not mess with it for that kind of money if there using honda parts........ Dont forgrt to have the valves reset.