Broken Timing Belt + Highway=Trouble - Honda Prelude Forum

jblkama · 02-03-2007, 07:54 PM

So I was on my way back from Wisconsin to Minnesota this afternoon, and about a hour into the trip my car started to have some trouble. It stalled and I pulled over. Well I had to get it towed and then the guy at the shop said the timing belt had broke and that my valves are now probably shot. He gave me a rough estimate around $2k. So my question is what should I do? I had a jdm h22, built pretty well. The engine had about 70K miles on it and the body had around 115k. I'm thinking the resell value of the car isn't more than 4k at best so what would be better, to rebuild the head or to scrap the car and sell off pieces? Any comments and questions are welcome!

ExodusFX · 02-04-2007, 12:20 AM

What work did you have done to the head? If nothing, then just buy another head for cheap & swap it on. That should be less than 2k.

jblkama · 02-04-2007, 10:23 AM

If I just get another head, am I still going to have to have work done on the valves?

red92si · 02-04-2007, 02:36 PM

Not if the valves in that new head are in good condition. I would have them checked, but otherwise you should be fine.

jblkama · 02-04-2007, 03:56 PM

Hmmm...I wonder if anyone here has a head for sale? I'm also getting an estimate tomarrow so I'll let you guys know what exactly is wrong then

Zbone · 02-05-2007, 02:21 PM

You **may** not need a new head, since the H22 theoretically is only an interference motor when in VTEC; however, if your valves are out of spec there may have been some impact.

ask for a compression test before they pull the head off.

preludestud11 · 02-05-2007, 03:02 PM

I broke a timing belt on an h22 at 2500 rpm, and it bent 9 valves.

dohcpower v2.0 · 02-05-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zbone

You **may** not need a new head, since the H22 theoretically is only an interference motor when in VTEC; however, if your valves are out of spec there may have been some impact.

ask for a compression test before they pull the head off.

If the belt broke, its going to be hard to do a compression test.

A leakdown test would be better for them to do.

jblkama · 02-05-2007, 08:05 PM

They offered to replace the timing belt and run a compression check on the engine. They said it was a 10% chance there wouldn't be damage to the valves. so a 90% chance that I would need a valve job. I opted to tow the car to my house until I can figure out what I should do. Do you think its worth replacing having a valve job done for about $2000, or would it be more wise to just scrap the car considering its only worth around $3500.

dohcpower v2.0 · 02-05-2007, 08:40 PM

I would just find a used head, and put it on there. a lot cheaper than having the current head machined and fixed.

G_Loc · 02-05-2007, 09:48 PM

Do a leakdown test. Its not supposed to bend any valves unless you were in VTEC... key word: supposed

jblkama · 02-05-2007, 10:40 PM

Well as of now, I don't really need a car that badly because I'm in college and its the dead of winter with temps at like -5 all day long. I will eventually do what you guys say and get a compression test and then a leak down test as well. If that all fails, I will try to get a used head and see if that works. Until then I think I'll be driving my brothers all-trac celica. (AWD turbo)

Zbone · 02-06-2007, 10:08 AM

you MAY be able to see if the valves impacted the pistons by pulling the spark plugs and looking thru the holes for any dropped valves and/or impact marks on the piston heads; if you see any "dings" or scratches, chances are your valves are fubared.

jblkama · 02-06-2007, 10:49 AM

Like I said, I'm a college student and so I'm not home to often. When I get the chance I will, but that may not be for a while. Not to mention its been the coldest 5 day stretch in MN history the last few days

sjzking408 · 02-08-2007, 12:03 AM

I broke my timing belt on a freeway @70 MPH. I have a H23 (non-vtec) my friend pulled off the head (he's a certified mechanic @ BMW) and I took it to a engine shop. They did a valve job for me and resurfaced the head. It cost me $425 and I paid my friend $300 for labor. He replaced all belts and seals and water pump. Try getting quotes from different places... But if you want to part it out. let me know how much you want to sell that h22. But my suggestion would be just try to look for a used h22 head. and make sure it comes with all the parts in it (valves, etc) and that its not taken apart.

p.s. i bent 4 valves.

red92si · 02-08-2007, 12:15 AM

^
What was the mileage on your timing belt when it failed?

ds2000 · 02-08-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jblkama

They offered to replace the timing belt and run a compression check on the engine. They said it was a 10% chance there wouldn't be damage to the valves. so a 90% chance that I would need a valve job. I opted to tow the car to my house until I can figure out what I should do. Do you think its worth replacing having a valve job done for about $2000, or would it be more wise to just scrap the car considering its only worth around $3500.

Definitely do this, I know of about 4 H22s that have survived a belt snapping

sean1121 · 02-08-2007, 02:45 PM

According to this post vtec motors are noninterference unless you're in vtec. Pull the head and check the valves.

jblkama · 02-10-2007, 12:09 PM

he said it was a interference engine, but i wasn't in vtec when it happened, I was going about 70 as well. Its the middle of winter right now so I won't be doing anywork to it. But come spring I will and most likely I will buy a replacement head.

jblkama · 02-10-2007, 12:22 PM

what are your guys thoughts on these two:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA...spagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H22-H...spagenameZWDVW