honda timing belt

Hi,

Looking at buying a used Honda MiniVan or CRV, I understand that somewhere around 100,000 miles you should replace the timing belt.

Also have heard that Honda has now changed to a timing chain which you would not replace but if this true I'm wondering what year they started doing this?

Any insight to this would be great,

Thanks,

Harlan

 

If you go to Gates Rubber's website they have an on-line timing belt guide that lists the vehicles, their recommended replacement interval, whether it is an interference (aka valve-bender) engine, and whether the water pump is timing belt driven. Yes, some newer vehicles are going back to chain. Anybody who goes 100,000 miles on their timing belt with an interference engine is really asking for a big repair bill.

Here's the Gates link:

http://www.gates.com/downloads/download_common.cfm?file=TBR05.pdf&folder=brochure

If the engine you are looking for is not listed, it does not have a belt.

'97-'01 CRV are valve-benders
'95-'04 Odyssey are benders
'94-'96 Passport is a bender
'03-'04 Pilot is a bender