I went 150K+ mi on my original. Others have gone farther. I wouldn't worry about it, it's not like they have a set mileage at which they fail. The suggested times/mileage to change them are just that, suggestions.

 

I did TB changes on my '99 myself at exactly 105k and 210k miles - but mainly because it was cheap and easy for me to do it and I planned to have the car for a while (still have it).

Your question shows you're thinking about it just right. Based on the information you give, I expect you'll easily be fine for another 20k miles, maybe another 100k if you're willing to take a chance (which you probably should be at this point).

It seems that usually when TB failures occur and kill the engine, it is not actually the TB that failed. Some bearing failed, or oil got on it and the belt slipped, the water pump seized, etc. - so if you're going to delay the TB service, it may be a good idea to pay closer attention to all those other things that could kill it (e.g., leaking Water Pump, loud bearings).

 

the problem is do you know if the original timing belt job used all the OEM components and everything was replaced at that time such as the hydraulic tensioner with genuine Honda parts? OEM Honda timing belt and related components do last easily to 150K but with aftermarket parts, all the bets are off.

can you afford to lose the van if the belt breaks on you? if so, you take the chance.

 

My original was still rolling at 210k. But I agree with sontakke OEM Honda stuff is the better bet.

 

My original was still rolling at 210k.

Awesome.

 

Well yea, but had it grenaded I had nobody to blame but myself. Not to mention how long I drove it worrying.

 

Same here. I willingly took the chance. I didn't worry too much though. I felt confident that it would last with no problems especially since I'd been visiting OdyClub since I bought the van and had never seen one incident of a broken belt and a grenaded engine. Plus it was just plain fun to see peoples reaction when I told them the mileage on the original belt. Pretty funny. I get a real kick out of vehicle owners who take the manufacturers suggestions as gospel.

 

Change it.

 

bought my 2002 with 198k on it, changed the belt and a bunch of other stuff at 217K, probably should not have sunk that much money into it, but
since I had planned on driving it into the ground, better safe than sorry. It performed flawlessly on the 1000+ mile trip to Miami.

 

I changed my original belt at 192K. I currently have 254K on my '01. It still runs great, although it was rear ended over the weekend and I'm afraid that they will total it as the rear lift gate was smashed in.

 

I just changed the TB, PS and ACC belts, along with the water pump and pulleys on my '00 at the 200K mark. We've owned the van since it was new, and I know the belts/pulleys/water pump have never been changed. Upon inspection, the PS and ACC belts had minor to moderate checking, but the TB was totally clean and looked like a brand new belt. I changed it anyway, because like others on this forum, we plan to drive it into the ground. The engine is fine and the trans was changed at 104K. In the past three months, I have also changed the following parts:
- front struts/springs
- rear shocks
- both front sway bar links
- front sway bar bracket bushings
- three of the five motor/trans mounts
- rear brake shoes (drums were fine)
- front brake pads (discs were fine)
- driver's side sliding door hinge
- drain/fill trans fluid x3

I think it's ready for a road trip to Myrtle (from NY)!!

 

One other thing. I looked up my '00 Ody in Kelly Blue Book to determine the trade in value. Less than $1,000. So since it is essentially worthless in the resale market and as long as it's running well, we'll keep it on the road.

 

The maintenence records indicate that a Honda dealer did the 105K TB replacement so I ASSUME that they did it right with all the parts OEM. With the retail or trade in value as low as it is now and the decent shape that it is in I am going to chance it and just run it til it falls apart or timing belt breaks whichever comes first. Thanks for the info and opinions.
Gary B

 

Just some anecdotal/ apples vs. oranges experience: I owned a 1985 Camry that experienced a timing belt failure at highway speeds at 62,000 miles. This was back when the recommended replacement interval was 60,000 miles. Being a non-interference engine, the car ran fine after replacing the belt and for years afterwards.

I recently sold my 1998 Camry that I purchased used with 72,000 miles and presumably, the original timing belt. As it too had a non-interference engine, I did not change the timing belt as an experiment in frugality. I just sold the car last week with 210,072 miles so presumably that belt lasted nine years and 138,000 miles or more likely, 16 years and 210,000 miles and counting.

My 2003 EX has about 235,000 miles and I have changed the belt @ 100 & 200K and have been diligent in this regard since the Odyssey has an interference engine. In both cases the used belts appeared practically new but timing belts typically fail with very little (e.g. a few seconds) warning.