If you own a first generation Honda Civic Type R, one of the most important pieces of maintenance you need to keep up with is changing the timing belt (also known as the cambelt). If you don’t replace the timing belt and it snaps, you could be looking at a severely damaged engine and a very expensive repair bill. In this guide we will cover when to replace the timing belt on an EK9 Civic Type R, and some other timing belt related info as well.
Table of Contents
Does the Honda Civic Type R EK9 have a Timing Belt or Chain?
As you can probably guess from the title of this guide, yes, the B16B engine inside the EK9 Type R uses a timing belt and not a chain.
When Does the Timing Belt Need to Be Replaced on a Civic Type R EK9?
There is a bit of conflicting information on when you need to replace the timing belt on these cars, with some saying the first change needs to be done at 120,000 km (75,000 miles) or 8 years, and subsequent changes every 112,000 km (70,000 miles). However, the general consensus (and what seems to be in most service manuals) is that the timing belt on an EK9 needs to be replaced at least every 100,000 km (60,000) miles or every 5 years. Many owners also do the belt well before this service interval as well, just to be on the safe side.
What Happens if the Timing Belt Breaks on a Civic Type R EK9
Unfortunately, as the B16B engine under the hood of the Civic Type R is an interference engine, a failure of the belt or tensioner will almost certainly lead to catastrophic damage when the pistons and valves collide. This will result in a very expensive repair or engine replacement bill, so change your Type R’s timing belt!
What Else Should be Replaced with the Timing Belt?
When replacing the timing belt, make sure to change the following components as week:
- Tensioner – necessary
- Water pump – highly recommended
- Spark plugs – NGK PFR7G-11 or DENSO PK22PR-L11
- air-con A/C belt
- Power steering belt
The valve clearance should also be adjusted/checked as well.
To Sum Up
Replace the timing belt at or before the recommended service interval of 100,000 km (60,000) miles or every 5 years. The B16B engine is an interference engine, so if the belt or tensioner fails there is a very high chance of major engine damage. The belt should be replaced along with the tensioner, water pump, spark plugs, A/C belt, and power steering belt.
