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Matter of timing

Honda Honda Advice Honda Prelude Honda Prelude Advice Honda Prelude 1997
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I HAVE a 1997 Honda Prelude that I bought in February 2002 with 26,400km on the clock. Every time I have the car serviced at Honda they say the engine timing belt and seals are overdue for replacement. They say it's recommended they be replaced at 100,000km or five years. My car has only 37,800km on the clock. I have a friend in the used car business who says it's not necessary to change the timing belt as it is nowhere near 100,000km. What do you think?

ARE you feeling lucky, Linda? Even though you haven't done a high mileage, the timing belts still deteriorate over time. The consequences of breaking a belt on a Honda don't bear thinking about. The result will be expensive repairs to the engine's internals. I'd replace the belt as it's well over five years old.

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