I can locate the “how to” but I want to know if the job is one I “could do.” I have changed tires, battery. (refrain from laughter)
Honda Accord 1989 - aka as Ol Blue
Doing the belt on my GTI was challenging, and I’ve worked on cars for years (rebuilt some engines, dozens of tuneups, brake jobs, water pumps, etc.). So just based on what you’ve said, I’d say no. Get it wrong, maybe bend some valves. Big $$
You are working on an 89. It’s a job that you should try on an old enough car, which is what you have. You are in the perfect situation and if you have been successful at following instructions in the past, you should do well enough. Try to avoid using anything that says Black & Decker on it. I can’t really think of any tools that would say that for this job but…
With the help of service manuals I’ve replaced timing belts on four cars (VW Quantum, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac LeMans, and Subaru Legacy) in my garage at home.
However, when it came to having the timing belt replaced on my '97 Honda I paid a professional to do it.
I have a manual for my Honda, but the job looked a bit more complex than the other cars I’ve worked on (balance shafts, etc), and it was more than I wanted to get into.
If you’re willing to work slowly and methodically I’m sure you can do this job, but it won’t be simple, and you’ll probably need at least one tool you don’t already have.
Make sure you turn the engine a few times by hand after the new belt is on and recheck the camshaft timing before you close everything up and try to start it.
Good luck.
Do You Have An Overall Concept Of The Engine Design And The Locations, Funtion And Relationships Of Parts Including Crank and Cam Shafts, Waterpumps, Accessory Belts, Etcetera?
If I asked you to locate the harmonic balancer, could you do that?
Are you planning on replacing the water pump, tensioner, any leaking cam or crank seals, while you’re in there?
Have you studied up on this at all? Becoming familiar with these things first would sure help.
CSA
The problem with replacing the timing belt on THIS engine is workspace. Hope you have skinny arms. It’s a transverse mounted engine with about 4" between the engine and the side fender well.
To make life easier…drop the splash guard…and remove the drivers-side front wheel. It’s a tight fit, but doable. As others have said…good car to experiment on.
I have never owned a Honda, but I think I have read that for Hondas of this vintage, it is prudent to replace the water pump as preventative maintenance every time the timing belt is replaced. Others may correct me on this…
I have an '89 . . . it’s a do-able job, but it really is a tight fit. Take your time and have patience, your hands will fit into the place that they have to. Rocketman
I have an '86… pretty much the same as yours (even blue). There’s nothing terribly complicated to it (though if it’s your first time definitely read and re-read the service manual and take it slow), but like rocketman said, it’s a very tight squeeze and there are some bolts that practically require you to have an extra elbow on your arm to get to them.
But, I’m a big 'ol lummox and I managed to do it (though I think next time around I’ll pay someone to do it), so it’s definitely doable, especially if you have skinnier/more flexible arms and fingers.
One other thing is though these don’t have a timing belt-driven water pump, they do have an odd belt-driven oil pump that runs off the timing belt that would probably be a good idea to change while you’re at it.
If you’re asking if you should, then that’s your clue not to do it. When you get it
done, take a perma-ink marker and print “Timing Belt - (mileage)” under the hood.