Considering working on the Honda CRV

[engatwork]

The wifes Honda CRV is coming up on 100k miles and the recommended timing belt change is at 110k. I am considering doing this work myself although I am not real fond of working on vehicles where the engine sits sideways (anyone ever look under the hood of a Saab - those engines are in backwards!! ).
Anyway, normally included in the timing belt change is a new water pump and new cam/crank seals. Parts are probably not too bad and the Honda dealer wants around $380 to do the job (parts/labor) which I did not consider to be too bad of a price. Anybody out there tackle a timing belt on a Honda with cam and crank seals? Looks pretty straight forward. I may just get the dealer to do it, I don't know, will decide over the next week or two. Maybe it is all psychological and once I do it I will get over my sideways engine phobia .
Oh yea, while I am working on it the wife will have to drive the E320.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Does the CRV have a balance shaft, like the early '90s Accords? If so, it will be
'extra fun'. (2 timing belts, 2 tensioners)
Typically, it takes something like
250+ foot pounds to get the crank pulley bolt loose. On a '90 Accord, I had to make a special tool to hold the crank pulley still so I could use a 3' pipe on a breaker bar to get the bolt loose. Tried 2 different impact guns first - wouldn't budge!

Happy Motoring,
Mark

[sixto]

Check what the effective labor cost is by subtracting what parts will cost you from what the dealer wants for the job. Then consider that the dealer will offer some type of a warranty on their work.

From my experience with Mitsubishis and Toyotas, $380 for dealer service is a great price. It might make sense to replace the tensioner if it's more than just a spring. Also check any idler pulley bearings.

FWIW, you can replace the clutch in a Saab 99 without dropping the transmission.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD
3 Mitsubishi Galants (sold)
2 Saab 99s (sold, sniff)
84 Toyota Camry (sister-in-law's)

My mom has a Honda CRV and no problems at all. And other than oil changes, filters, tune ups, blah blah, i dont know anything about hondas, sorry

My son changed the timing belt and water pump on my
95 Civic and it looks pretty straight forward.It took him
at least 6 hrs to do the job by himself.The way I look at
it,its no harder than my ex 86 325.Just remember,Honda's
engine,rotate's counter clockwise.