1st timing belt change on a front wheel drive car
 

I started on my very first timing belt change on a front wheel drive car this evening. It is on the 1997 Honda CRV that we have owned since new and is showing 197k miles. The last belt was changed at the dealer for around $500 (covered crank and cam seals, water pump and timing belt). Anyway, I found the job easy and straight forward. I did have to grind the head off of the bolt that secures the timing belt tensioner. It is a 14 mm and that is kinda a bastard size in my shop. Should finish it up tomorrow if I can pick the parts up at the Honda dealer. I don't know why I have been slow to try one of these because there is really not that much to it:).

As you already know, I did the same on my Accord. As long as you have small Japanese hands and a set of Gearwrenches it's a piece of cake. My biggest problem was getting the crank balancer bolt off and retorqued. (no help)

Nothin' to it, unless the patient happens to be a VW New Beetle TDI. That combination ought to be outlawed...