Timing Belt Change

[evanskevins]

I only have about 70K on my Pilot, so maybe I'm jumping the gun. But what happens to a Pilot if the timing belt breaks? Are you just stranded? Or is there damage done to the engine? I've heard of certain types of engines (Interference type?) that can be wrecked by a timing belt break. Is the pilot one of them?

[A6Pilot]

Yup, the Honda engine is an interference type, in that the valves will hit the pistons, if the timing belt breaks.

You can relax, however. Honda engineered the timing belt to be very robust and maintenance free. Several folks who have replaced their own timing belts have reported the belts that came off were in excellent condition. "Pristine" was the description one even used.

You may be very premature replacing your belt at 70,000 miles. Your dealer would give you a gold star, a cup of coffee, and a pat on the back, if that's important. However, the 105,000 mile maintenance interval, I'm sure, is extremely conservative.

[whizmo]

I'd stick with Honda's replacement interval as consumers don't have good data to either extend it or shorten it. It's not something you want to just let go indefinitely - the consequences in an interference engine are too severe. The fact replaced belts look good when removed means basically nothing - they look good right up to the point where they break.

- Mark

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by whizmo
The fact replaced belts look good when removed means basically nothing - they look good right up to the point where they break.

- Mark

I've replaced a few on cars that were well beyond the recommended change interval. They looked worn and cracked and had missing teeth.

[ejthomp]

I replaced mine at 110,000 miles. I thought I was overdue because I tow a lot. Belt and waterpump looked new, but I replaced them anyway.

I previously owned a Nissan that I let go 10 years and 105,000 miles (recommended change interval was 60,000). Belt looked ready to pop and I got lucky.

I'm not saying to wait 10 years, just don't be worried about it until it is due! Run it right up to 105k miles and then do it when you have the time and money.

[netman88]

Stick with the Honda replacement schedule is my suggestion also.

Do inspect it from time to time for wear when the mileage approaches also.

[evanskevins]

How do you inspect it? Don't you have to remove a good deal of stuff to get at it? Isn't that why it's so damn expensive to have it replaced?