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Is a 1998 Civic 1.6 Liter an interference engine?

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34K views 24 replies 12 participants last post by  hobie237  
#1 ·
I have an LX with the 106 HP motor in it and have 60k miles on what I think is the original timing belt. Someone told me it is non-interference and will not hurt anything if the belt breaks. I want to go until 80k miles but not if it will cost me more later. Same person told me only the DOHC motors are interference. :bh


BTW.... Is ********** no more? I used to post there but an error when I try to go there now. Thanks for the help!
 
#3 ·
Intercooler2 said:
I have an LX with the 106 HP motor in it and have 60k miles on what I think is the original timing belt. Someone told me it is non-interference and will not hurt anything if the belt breaks. I want to go until 80k miles but not if it will cost me more later. Same person told me only the DOHC motors are interference. :bh


BTW.... Is ********** no more? I used to post there but an error when I try to go there now. Thanks for the help!
no its an interference engine.that person dont knoe wat they are talking about
 
#5 ·
Intercooler2 said:
Great! Safe to say I will be safe to go until 75k then as opposed to 80k? I would like to drive it another year (15k) is possible before doing it.
i suggest doing it now but you probraly could ride it till 90k.

i barely changed my accords timing belt when the water pump went out. the belt still looked ok but i changed it anyways.

when u do ur timing belt do ur waterpump as well.
 
#7 ·
Not too terribly difficult, but I suggest that you have a helms manual handy if this is your first time. Plan for at least a half day. You should also change the water pump and other accessory belts while you are at it. I'd also recommend finding a buddy who has done similar work to help or at least look over your shoulder.
 
#10 ·
I suggest if this is your first time doing it you should plan atleast a whole day to it.. there are somethings that will give you maybe alittle bit of a hard time. (getting the crank pulley bolt off). but its not difficult at all if you got instructions. Oh and i went well over 115,000 on my original belt, but i wouldnt reccomend it.
 
#11 ·
the mechanical part of actualy doing the disassembly anf then re assembly is actualy the EASIER part.

for most first timers whom may or may not (usualy not) understand how iming works it can be a pain the ass and you might not end up getting it right.

Not that im discouraging you at all, everyone should change there own timing belt, but i remember my first one on a old toyota, at the age of 16 i was pulling my hair out... (awww those were the days when ya had a set of tiawanesse tools and no idea what you were doin) =)

i digress, but the most important part is understanding timing and TDC in general. Just remeber to Set it right, set it once. Otherwise youll end up pulling it all off again and doin the manual labor aspect of the installation until you get it right. That is usually what takes the most amount of time for newbies attempting this.

Checklist:

-T belt
-water pump
-8,10,12,14,17mm sockets in 3/8 drive and 1/4 for the smaller ones
-10, 12,14,17mm box/open end wrenches
a good breaker bar 1/2 drive w/ 12,14,17mm sockets
-17mm impact socket
-a big ass good sized bar to wedge intbetween the flywheel teeth and belhousing
-Hondabond RTV sealant
-Silicone spra(makes things slipery) =)
some good mechanics gloves will save your hands
 
#12 ·
Intercooler2 said:
How much of a job is it to DIY? If it isn't too awfull involved I may try it. Wonder what a shop would charge to do the belt and pump?

a shop would charge you more than its worth... like anything else... its not too difficult and you could definately do it yourself
 
#13 ·
i took mine to a shop to have it changed (at around 120k miles) because of my lack of space(live in an apartment) and availability of tools (once again, where would i keep them?) though i usually do most of my own work at my parents or friends house (both live about 3 hours away, so getting there and finding time to go is extremely limited right now)... but ANYWAY, i got charged $600 to have it done and have a new lug stud put on/in, with waterpump and all that... waaaay overpriced for 1 day out of your life for some mechanical experience if you ask me, after that fiasco, i trust shops, no more.
 
#14 ·
IISaiNtII said:
i took mine to a shop to have it changed (at around 120k miles) because of my lack of space(live in an apartment) and availability of tools (once again, where would i keep them?) though i usually do most of my own work at my parents or friends house (both live about 3 hours away, so getting there and finding time to go is extremely limited right now)... but ANYWAY, i got charged $600 to have it done and have a new lug stud put on/in, with waterpump and all that... waaaay overpriced for 1 day out of your life for some mechanical experience if you ask me, after that fiasco, i trust shops, no more.
after tax and parts and labor 600 isnt bad. at my shop we charge 70 bucks an hour and labor for water pump involves timing belt removal so maybe 3.5 hours dats already about 300 bucks. plus waterpump,timing belt kit, coolant, and repairing a lugnut maybe .5 hour labor.i wouldnt say its way overpriced. so if they charge 90 bucks an hour at the shop u was at then its about right. it does seem expensive if i had to pay too but price is about right.

damn im happy i could do all my work...sometimes i do brakes for customers and its like 200 bucks for the front. im like damn i can do these in like 15 mines...and they have to pay so much :cry oh well


as for the guy who wants to do his own timing belt...good luck and i do sugest attemtping to do it urself. you wont learn if u dont try
 
#16 ·
well, all i was doing was shooting him the price i paid for my timing belt change, and something to consider. i think the kits run ~$100-150, so i mean, if i would've been sure that my car was going to make a 3 hour drive i may have done it myself, but alas, time constraints kill us all now-a-days. most things i do myself, but sometimes urgency>price (as with my case of 125k on ORIGINAL timing belt... thats pushing it)
 
#24 ·
Belts are pretty cheap to order from online sources, might as well change all belts while you're at it too. I got all of them for less than $40 shipped.

Also, I guess mileage is a crapshoot, becuase I whip my car without mercy and I'm still running the original t-belt at 92K miles right now...haven't got around to changing them yet.
 
#25 ·
klungemonger said:
Belts are pretty cheap to order from online sources, might as well change all belts while you're at it too. I got all of them for less than $40 shipped.

Also, I guess mileage is a crapshoot, becuase I whip my car without mercy and I'm still running the original t-belt at 92K miles right now...haven't got around to changing them yet.

if the belt is still looking good at 92k, thats awesome, but i would suggest inspecting it regularly....