Getting Ready for a Timing Belt Replacement

I've used my engine for more than a year now and it has served me well without any problems aside from the distributor oil leak which I already fixed. I'm the first owner of this engine in the Philippines, and I have no idea how far this engine has traveled in Japan.

So after a year of using it or about 10K kilometers, I'm now getting ready to embark on one of, if not, the most important preventive maintenance procedure in an engine -- TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT. This is done every 70K kilometers.

Since replacing the timing belt requires unbolting the valve cover and removing the timing belt cover, it is also a good idea to replace parts that are connected with the belt you are replacing.

Normally, these parts are the water pump, timing belt tensioner bearing, camshaft and crankshaft oil seals. Optional parts to be installed are new valve cover gasket and an adjustable cam gear.

For my use, I'll stick with the basics by replacing all life limited parts + all the seals and gaskets.

Here are the parts for the VTi's PH16A VTEC engine I bought with its corresponding prices (as I was told, all are compatible with D16A):

1. Timing Belt (Honda Q.Ave) - 14400-P2E-004 - P1,492.29

2. Crankshaft and Crankshaft oil seals (Honda Q.Ave) - 91212-P01-003/91213-PD2-004 - P257.25/P246.51

3. Valve Cover Gasket (Honda Q.Ave) - 12341-P2A-000 - P515.95

4. GMB Water Pump (Levin Auto Parts) - VTi - P1,500

I'm quite worried about the size of the gear. Too tall that I might need to cut the timing belt cover? (UPDATE: Jan 30) - I bought the wrong part! Darn!

5. Koyo Tensioner Bearing (Levin Auto Parts) - VTi - P600

With all these parts, I now have the task to look for a shop to install these for me. Labor for this job ranges from P1,500 to P1,800. 

Hang around until I find one a nice shop to bring Scratchy to and while you're at it, hit the comments if there's something I bought that's not compatible.

New Year, New Plans for Scratchy

It's new year!

With the year of the dragon closing in, let me lay out my plans for Scratchy for next year. Treat this as my wish list for the year. If you want to donate anything, you are most welcome! ;)

1. Have the leaking distributor fixed (leaking from inside).
2. Have my extra P91 ECU chipped.
3. Replace timing belt and all necessary stuff before its too late. (February 25, 2012)
4. Have the tappets and timing adjusted (darn 8Km/L!!!)
5. Have my car tuned by a pro (using my chipped P91 ECU).
6. Have my power windows installed (motors, switches, and sidings waiting for more than a year now).
7. Have my 20yr old battery terminals replaced with something more elegant + battery tie down.
8. Front tower strut bar. (February 18, 2012)
9. Rear lower tie bar.
10. Rear disk brakes (March 24, 2012) + proportioning valve
11. Have my leaking brake master fixed (minor fluid leak) (Supposedly done February 25, but still leaks.)
12. Have my 20yr old clutch master replaced. (February 25, 2012)
13. Replace my transmission oil.

Thirteen things to do/buy for Scatchy. Why 13 you ask?
Well, that's one for a month's salary including 13th month pay! :)

Do you suggest anything more? Hit the comments and let me know.