How risky is it to drive an extra 10-20,000 miles beyond recommendation on the timing belt in my 98 Honda CR-V?

drive it till it breaks..it wont hurt anything

In Australia, the recommendation is to change the timing belt every 100,000 km. When i asked the mechanic about this he told me that it was very conservative but needed to be. They know nothing will happen before this but don't know how long after this it could be a problem - could be 5k could be 50k. His suggestion was that if I wanted to save money by not changing it when it was due I should also not bother having any type of insurances because by my logic, they too are a waste of money If the timing belt goes, the pistons go through the housing and you need a new engine. If you can afford a new engine whenever it needs to be replaced then don't bother with the timing belt. But, the timing belt is a lot cheaper. I'm on my 4th honda now and have always changed the belts at 100,000. Some needed it some didn't but you can't use hindsight. Sara PS I also asked one of the mechanics at work about it (no financial benefit for him whether I do it or not) and he told me I would be an idiot not to do it because of how much a new engine would cost and the inconvenience of not having a car til I can get an engine fitted.

i had a 98 isuzu rodeo almost same style car, honda used to make isuzu and my timing belt broke and took out my valves and destroyed my engine, the engine alone was going to be 2500 with 90k miles not including installation so i just bought another car, its really not worth the risk itll leave you frustrated sitting on the side of the highway, and you also just lost your transportation to work, so my advice from experience is to have it replaced.

I find it hard to believe that the first time a manufacturer suggests changing a timing belt is 105k. Usually a manufacturer suggests every 60k, which is very conservative. If you have 100k on your original timing belt, get it changed. The timing belt will break within the next 25k, pretty much guaranteed. When the belt breaks while driving: 1) You will be stranded. You will incur towing fees and the inconvenience of breaking down. 2) Depending on the design of the engine, when the timing belt breaks while driving the engine's pistons could smash the valve stems - requiring major engine work. Could you make it to 110-120k? Definitely possible. I'd say you have a 50/50 shot of making it, but the costs of the belt breaking are far greater than just getting the maintenance done now. Suck it up and find a way to get it done. In the future, you should be budgeting (at a minimum) for scheduled maintenance. You should be able to budget cash for known expenses like this.

If you do decide to take the gamble of not changing it just hope when it does break it happens while city driving and not at high speeds. I've replaced engines because breakage occurred at high speeds while breaking it at idle nothing happened at all. Honda's engines are interference motors and when the t-belt breaks they tend to bend valves,and may cause piston damage as well. I've seen belts that have lasted 170,000 and I've seen them last 40,000. Alot depends on how you drive and what kind of driving you do. The reality is you can now pay 250-500 to replace it or if it breaks pay anywhere from 500-3,000. Good luck and hope this helps.

HONDAs reccomendation last I heard was 60,000miles!!! It IS expensive, but people "think" Honda`s are these great cars..... oh, heres a nice article about timing belt failures. http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/us70343.htm

I would not risk it. Only because the damage will be in the thousands of dollars. However, I think a belt can go 120,000, but it depends on your driving style. Go find another shop that may do it cheaper.

honda tells you that, just drive it til you get the money up believe me that car will last forever !

I drove mine to 125,000 before I changed it.