Timing belt replacement instructions please?

I have a 2002 Honda Accord Coupe EX-V6 with 47,000 miles on it. It is my understanding the timing belt should be changed around 100k to 105k miles. The car is running perfect and I am hesistant to get the timing belt changed at the Honda Dealership as it appears that this a complex repair even for a skilled mechanic. Does anyone know the time length for changing the belt? Should I wait another year to get this done? If the belt were to break would it damage the engine?

Hi, rzaz1974

I have a 2000 honda accord ex- 3.0 with 140,000 on it. I just recently replace my timing belt at 135,000 and it really didnt need it then. But do a visual inspection on it and see if it needs it. And you only having 45,000 on the car you wont need it for a while. If it does break it can cause serve engine damage. I changed it with help of my friend which is a machinic and it took us 4.5 hours. And cost us about $400. If you take it to a dealer it can cost about $900- $1200. When and if you get this done please change the water pump also most people think its ok but the part is only $80 at the time and you will be right there. Might as well change that out and also the tensioner. If you have any more questions on what exactly we did and how long. Please contace me. Thank you!

Thanks Cweaver016,

That was helpful and leads me to believe the timing belt is very durable since you went 10 years, 135k miles before it was changed.

I called the Honda Dealer Service Department and asked them about a visual inspection of the timing belt. The service tech informed me it would not be cost efficient to do a visual inspection. They claim it would cost $500 for the inspection due to the labor charges. Does that sound accurate? I'd like to get a visual inspection of the timing belt. When I decide it's time to change the belt I would definitely get the water pump changed.

Yeah the honda dealers will get all they can off of you in doing it. Its not that hard to do but if you have never worked on cars I would not recommend it. The only reason that the timing belt should need to be replaced sooner is if you driving it to the limits everytime. But if thats not the case it should be fine. Let me know if you have any more questions.