- #1 of 26
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2001 CRV - timing belt?
by 2001hondacrv
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Feb 15, 2008 (1:52 pm)
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Is it true the timing belt won't give any warning? Since the weather has gotten colder, my 2001 Honda CRV has started making a high pitched whining noise when cold (it's a belt, and I can see it, so I'm almost sure it isn't the timing belt), and below 32 degrees. If it's warmer than that, there's no noise at all. My dealer is trying to tell me I need to replace the timing belt, water pump, and all other belts at a cost of around $800. I'm in the middle of buying a house and if I can put this off a little longer and not worry, I'd like to - any thoughts? Thanks!
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- #2 of 26
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Re: 2001 CRV - timing belt? [2001hondacrv]
by crvme3
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Feb 16, 2008 (7:55 am)
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Replying to: 2001hondacrv (Feb 15, 2008 1:52 pm)
Yes, the Timing belt can fail without warning... What's the current mileage of the vehicle?. The Timing belt is under a cover so you will not be able to see it just looking under the hood... You can have someone pull off (3-4 10mm bolts I think) the upper inspection cover & get an assessment of the Timing belts condition... If it has cracks or looks/feels brittle & portions of the belt are frayed then change it... If not then you will have to make a judgment call!... This is where mileage comes into play - if you are beyond the scheduled mileage for replacement then you are on borrowed time... Remember the old mechanics saying "pay me now or pay me later"... Good luck 
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- #3 of 26
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Re: 2001 CRV - timing belt? [crvme3]
by 2001hondacrv
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Feb 16, 2008 (8:08 am)
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Replying to: crvme3 (Feb 16, 2008 7:55 am)
Thanks - the mileage is 66,000, and I know because of the age of the car it's due to be changed (the dealer told me last summer). I have an ex-husband whose a mechanic, it's just a matter of actually getting him to check the belt that I see making the noise. I'd rather have the dealer do the replacement and end up with Honda parts, as opposed to taking it somewhere else - I just hate the cost, although I know if the belt goes at some future point, the results will be disasterous. Thanks for the reply.
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- #4 of 26
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Re: 2001 CRV - timing belt? [2001hondacrv]
by crvme3
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Feb 16, 2008 (8:53 am)
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Replying to: 2001hondacrv (Feb 16, 2008 8:08 am)
Your most welcome... I agree in the long run your are better off with original honda parts, but the cost does hurt!... I have always been of the mindset (many will argue this) that the time/age of the vehicle & parts are not as important as the miles... Physical/material things (ie: timing belt) cannot tell time... but are more inclined to wear/fail with mileage, you are on the low end of mileage so time is probably on your side. Either way the result of timing belt failure is not a good thing, so play it safe & replace when you can. Cheer's
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- #5 of 26
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Re: 2001 CRV - timing belt? [crvme3]
by trumpynz
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Sep 16, 2008 (12:44 am)
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Replying to: crvme3 (Feb 16, 2008 8:53 am)
Leaving the replacement of a critical part like a timing belt can be very serious stuff.
I once owned a vehicle, (not a Honda) that broke a timing belt while I was driving one Friday afternoon.
If a timing belt breaks, the valves inside the engine cylinders will often collide with or pierce the tops of at least a couple of pistons.
Think new engine or very expensive repair.
I'll never forget the sound the engine made the day my timing belt broke.
Cheers,
Mike T.
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- #6 of 26
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Re: 2001 CRV - timing belt? [2001hondacrv]
by mcdermott
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Sep 19, 2008 (3:40 pm)
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Replying to: 2001hondacrv (Feb 15, 2008 1:52 pm)
You may be premature on your timing belt service. At www.gates.com it shows the 1997-2001 Honda CRV timing belt due for change at 105,000 miles - a long, long way from your current 66,000 miles. That sound you hear can also stem from a water pump going bad, or a different belt that needs to be replaced. To second a previous responder, you can't see your timing belt because it is under a cover, so why do you suspect it? I would get a second opinion from a professional before letting a Dealer hose me for possibly-unnecessary $800 repair. Think of it, you might take the Dealer's advise, replace the expensive timing belt, then still have the squeek.
Regards,
Jack
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- #7 of 26
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Re: 2001 CRV - timing belt? [mcdermott]
by thegraduate
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Oct 13, 2008 (7:59 am)
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Replying to: mcdermott (Sep 19, 2008 3:40 pm)
I know this is an old post, but many timing belts are rated for both time AND mileage, whichever comes first. Something like 90k miles or 7 years, for my car. Make sure you read ALL the details!
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- #8 of 26
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Re: 2001 CRV - timing belt? [thegraduate]
by grafzeppelin
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Nov 01, 2008 (7:46 pm)
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Replying to: thegraduate (Oct 13, 2008 7:59 am)
My wife and I have a 2000 CRV and she was driving it when the timing belt broke (right at ~ 100, 000 miles). She said it just went dead, and of course would not start. At the time we had a shade-tree mechanic who said that we were looking at an expensive repair since the "Honda's use "interfering valves/ timing"", which I understand means that if the timing belt breaks when the engine is running, then the valves crash into the piston heads and wreak all kinds of expensive havoc to repair. In our case we were apparently lucky in that he simply installed the new belt ( and a new water pump since he already had it taken apart), and we have had no problems since then. I know now not to go past the recommended mileage to replace it next time, because we were lucky nothing was damaged..
Another thing I've been curious about for years. Our Honda (2000 CRV EX Standard Transmission) is supposed to be four wheel drive. I think they call it "real time" four wheel drive. Is there any way to know when the four wheel drive engages? I bought the car new in 2000 and I have NEVER felt anything to indicate that the four wheel drive has engaged. I understand that it should only engage, typically, when wheel spin is sensed by the system. As far as I know there is no indicator lamp in the cabin, but I used to drive a 4WD Ford Explorer, and while that vehicle had a manual button on the Dash to engage or disengage the 4WD, I would typically hear/feel a "thump" when it engaged. I have never felt this in the Honda, and I'm sure the Honda is a 4WD since it has the rear drive shaft, differential and rear CV joints. Anyone care to take a stab at that one?
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- #10 of 26
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Timing Chain - 2007/2008
by 312capri
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Nov 02, 2008 (2:51 pm)
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Interesting! I've read that the 2007/2008 engines used a timing chain rather than a belt. Our 2002 Toyota Corolla which also had Variable Valve Timing (VVT) used a chain. It might be the VVT places a heavier load on the timing belt so they went to a timing chain.
Comments please!
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