I did mine at 170000 km myself and it didnt show any wear, my truck has almost 300000 km now and I'm stressing about it, it's recommended to do every 100K, I think the belts are a lot better lately

 

When mine was changed at the recommended 105K, the belt looked like it just arrived in the mail from Amazon. Sixty-two thousand miles since then, the current belt looks like new, too. I'm convinced they can probably go a routine quarter million miles, but Honda -- being more safe than sorry -- wants you avoid the potential risks if they do snap -- bent valves, cylinder head or camshaft damage, and possibly piston and cylinder wall damage.

 

Yea, I have mine done every 105,000 miles. Will be doing my third early next year again.

 

Mine at 214K.

 

Best quote I found explaining why mere visual inspection of older timing belts -- insofar as deciding to replace -- is playing with fire.

"Yeah, just because you can't see cracks, doesn't mean they aren't forming. and it could be in a spot you just can't see (ie. around the bottom of the motor, or in the very corner of the tooth). and you have to remember, that thing is made of rubber (synthetic or otherwise) and some other stuff, that doesn't last for ever -- it IS 7 years old, you wouldn't leave a set of tires on your car that long, even if they "looked good" now woulda? CHANGE IT!"

Would've, should've, could've isn't what you're going to want to hear if your belt snaps. Given the havoc a break can wreak, failure -- as they say -- is NO option.

 

What? I have tires on my Motorcycle that are 20 years old!!! Changed tires on my R/L in 2011. Don't even think about them! They're good for another 15 years. I park indoors, keep them inflated properly and don't drive a lot.
Also have a 1995 Toyota Tercel with 136,000 km's on it. I had the timing belt changed at 100,000 km's and 17 years. Was still in good shape.
With the cost of a failure being more than the value of the vehicle, I decided to have it done. It was about $400.00CDN..
My Ridgeline is an '07 model with 97,000 miles, right now. Will probably relent and change it soon. If I do the work, it'll be about $300.00 CDN.. Rock Auto has an AISIN kit with water pump, etc..
Though 17 years may be too long, 7 years is too short! I'd say change at 120K miles or 12 years. whichever comes first.

 

Timing belts suck. Plain and simple. I swore them off after my 1977 Pinto Station wagon broke it for the 2nd time. It was chains ever since till this truck. Hope I don't regret it!

Steve who ruined two motors in the 70's due to those belts !

 

In the 10 years I've been on this forum, I can't recall a single timing belt failure on a Ridgeline right off hand - premature or neglected. I have seen many stories where people reported exceeding the recommended replacement interval by tens of thousands of miles or more on borrowed time without an issue. I've never kept a vehicle long enough to hit the replacement interval, but if I did I'd promptly replace it. I'm not a gambler.

The only timing belt that ever broke on me was in an '86 Ford Escort that was about 4 years old with 40K at the time. Fortunately, it was a non-interference design and the timing belt was easy to replace. Like motor oil, belt materials have come a long ways since the 70s.

 

Here's one..
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/...-installs-how-s/129441-outside-air-temperature-install.html?129441=#post1921841

Numerous ones failing after having been replaced at least once

 

More detail in another post from the same member:

Got my 2006 Ridgeline to 345,000 miles before the third timing belt failed, a week before I was going to replace the belt.

If this owner followed the replacement interval exactly, the timing belt service would have been due at 105,000, 210,000, and 315,000. They could have gone 30,000 miles over or the second belt may have been replaced at 240,000 and the third service was just becoming due.

 

I would trust the original belt that came installed from the factory to last 200k 10/12 years. Low mileage but old belts tend to show more cracks then a regular driven car. SITTING IS BAD FOR MOST VEHICLES! I would not recommend any brand (maybe honda but its probably not same brand/manufacturer as original) replacement after that though.

 

I would trust the original belt that came installed from the factory to last 200k.

200k or how many years?

 

Exactly my point though. 30,000 miles is a heartbeat of time seems like more of a risk then I'd want to take. $1,000 timing belt replacement vs. $30,000+ new car...hmmmmm

 

As a pilot, I just don't stretch recommended maintenance. I do it when it's suggested and before if a potential problem appears. Crashes aren't fun.

 

As a pilot, I just don't stre witch recommended maintenance. I do it when it's suggested and before if a potential problem appears. Crashes aren't fun.

i agree with you on preventive maintenance. my 07 with 211k miles just had the second belt replaced. i don't like being on the side of the road.

i take off in my ridge and drive 5oo to 1000 miles in a weekend road trip, sometimes with little notice.

so far, it has never let me down.

 

Replaced at 100,000 by non-Honda mechanic. At least I was charged for it. Broke at 160,000. I am waiting for a call tomorrow about the condition of engine. Hoping for the best.

 

Same here, but instead of my belt breaking the cheapo water pump they used has failed. I got a good AISIN kit this week, and will do the belt/pump this weekend along with the radiator swap to avoid the SMOD failure.

I knew I should have done it myself the first time...

 

I worry more about my water pump than timing belt at these high mile intervals. You must remove the belt to get to the pump and when I do these jobs I often see seepage at the shaft vent hole on the pump.

 

I was told the belt stretches ever so slightly. Match up the old one with the new one. I could tell the difference in the response of the engine after replacing the belt after 100k. Will be doing it again at 200k.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

My 2009 only has 55,000 miles/9 yrs. old. If I were to wait till 105,000 miles to do my timing belt, my RL would be about 17 yrs. old. So when should I have it done??

 

I'm in the same boat as you...My 2007 RTL only has 44K on it...That's 10 years so far for me..I was thinking i can shoot for 80K but that could be another 10 years and i would never feel comfortable driving around with a belt that old.

It's obvious mileage takes a much bigger toll on the belt than time. Whats not obvious is how much time we have left.

 

My threshold for pain was 75k & 10yrs old. But I live in the desert, I know what hot dry heat does to rubber items.

I've actually read that driving it less (low mileage and more years) is worse than driving it more (high mileage and less years).

YMMV

 

I've actually read that driving it less (low mileage and more years) is worse than driving it more (high mileage and less years).

Except, when you go to sell it...

 

My 2007 RTL had 36,323 mile on it when I had the timing belt and water pump changed out.....that was in April 2017. Ten years old, picture taken this year.

 

I’m with you a 100% on keeping your vehicle garaged, cuz in my mind belts, tires, vehicle interior, paint job, etc, don’t stand any better chance than a life indoors. But I think religiously garaging your vehicle to a certain extent colors your opinion of those who don’t, believing stories of parts (tires, timing belts, etc.) rotting or compromising over time are anecdotal. There are so many factors in differing combinations (extreme climate, rodent activity, salt exposure, etc) that promote rot and rust that say that ain’t so.

I’m in no position to judge driveway or roadside parking since I admit we’ve always pampered our vehicles. Heck, they cool their heals under a ceiling fan every time we pull into the garage. With Florida’s pounding, UV blasting heat, I’m not willing to chance delaying a timing belt replacement on a truck I pile 15000 miles on every year, even while garaged.

While I’ve never had a set of tires last 7 years (I wish), I do have two 5 year old Michelin leftovers that LOOK to be in near perfect condition hanging on the wall. My timing belt LOOKED fine 4 years ago, but I still changed it at 105K miles.

 

Let me guess why you need all those long clamps - your cabinets look great!!