Does timing belt break always = bent valves? - Honda Prelude Forum

Silver92si · 02-03-2003, 06:09 PM

My car is a 92 Si, Auto, w/approx. 188k miles on it. The guy I bought it from I've been friends with for approx. 8 yrs and he decided not to do the belt when I bought the car at 179k because he said that it appeared that the belt had just been replaced. I know, can't tell by looking, but the guy sells hondas for a living. Anyway, I'm driving on I-5 from San Diego to LA doing about 75mph and all of a sudden car shuts off and won't restart.

So far have found:
1) Rotor was off distributor laying in cap with screw. Looks like it ate up the dist. leak seal a little bit.
2) Distributor won't turn when car is started, but can hear starter and everything else (makes me think the t-belt is gone).
3) Removed distributor and manually turned rotor from the back to verify that dist. shaft wasn't broken.
4) Going out now to verify if belt is gone.

2 questions:
1) Is it true that w/autos the T-belt break does not always mean bent valves and engine damage?
2) If T-belt is gone, any idea why rotor was off distributor? Coincedence?

Thanks ahead of time, your advice on this board is invaluable.

MidNKight-lude · 02-03-2003, 06:12 PM

i would ask the resendent 24 bent value guy, aka forthgeneration. but i think you would have bent values anyhow, unless you were able to get off the gas and coast to the side before any major damages.

G_Loc · 02-03-2003, 06:30 PM

hmm... if the rotor was off the shaft some valves probably hit the pistons and the shock sent it flying off. just a guess.

im pretty a bunch valves were killed, maybe even a piston or two.

MidNKight-lude,

24 bent valves? hehe... only 16 in our engines

Silver92si · 02-03-2003, 06:59 PM

Looky at the cam gears...No Belt. This is my fiancee's car so I'm not looking to spend the $ to drop in a JDM V-tec, just need a daily driver for another year or two, anybody have any inexpensive repair solutions...in the LA area? Thanks

red92si · 02-03-2003, 07:34 PM

In pretty much every occasion... when a timing belt breaks you will have some if not all bent valves.

Most inexpensive route is to buy (or borrow) a Helms... and replace the broken parts yourself. Good Luck

vile10 · 02-03-2003, 07:38 PM

i would say 80% of the time, timing broke = bent valves for Honda, when my 3rd gen's t-belt broke, i bent 4 valves

SikRedRX-8 · 02-03-2003, 08:02 PM

I got a pretty new H23 head put together, let me know. PM me about a price. As far as bent valves I about 99.99% sure you bent valves that is a givin. I only jumped timing two teeth and bent 8 vavles. You lost your timing belt, so you ca count on it. Sorry to hear about it.

MidNKight-lude · 02-03-2003, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by G_Loc
hmm... if the rotor was off the shaft some valves probably hit the pistons and the shock sent it flying off. just a guess.

im pretty a bunch valves were killed, maybe even a piston or two.

MidNKight-lude,

24 bent valves? hehe... only 16 in our engines

my bad, i didnt' know how many ahhaha i was just sayin, now i remember it was 16 oops

brendon2k · 02-04-2003, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MidNKight-lude

my bad, i didnt' know how many ahhaha i was just sayin, now i remember it was 16 oops

hien you almost had a good comprehensive post too.

vtecprelude · 02-05-2003, 09:20 AM

Timing belt in my 94 VTEC broke with 137k mil. I was in 5th gear doing 40mph, I took my foot of the gas pedal and depressed it again and there was no response. I looked at the dashboard and all the lights were on, I tried starting the engine while the car was still rolling but the engine wouldn't even turn. At that point I new my timing belt broke, because I had a body shop put it on with no previous experience of installing one before. It turned out to be a timing belt tensioner bolt breaking off, because it was already loose.

I had a new timing belt installed along with tensioner. I now have 144k mil and no problems yet. Runs just as strong as did it before. I think it might have broken off just as I removed my foot of the gad pedal.

While it was still in gear the car was rolling, which didn't make me think that something happened, there was no abrupt jult or any indication that something happened, luky me I guess.

SikRedRX-8 · 02-05-2003, 11:21 AM

Well there almost never is a jult or any kind of noise. When they go it is pretty smooth, and when you smash vavles you cannot hear anything. Mine jumped while doing 10mph, so when it is time there is no stoping it.

Akkord29 · 02-05-2003, 07:31 PM

i borke my belt goin bout 60 and i didnt bend any vavles

SikRedRX-8 · 02-05-2003, 10:28 PM

You are the luckiest man I know.

Silver92si · 02-06-2003, 08:19 AM

Located in Los Angeles

Silver 92 Si w/spoiler
188k, possible bent valves from timing belt break
New Radiator
New Master Cylinder
New Front Brakes and Rotors
4 months ago upgraded A/C to R134
(2) New Dunlop SP Sport 5000 tires
Interior is Good
Paint is Fair
Brand new Alpine SEC-150R alarm (w/proximity sensor)
Brand new Sony CD (just had these two installed in December)

I have all receipts, Great Project Car for anyone that can do their own head work.

SikRedRX-8 · 02-06-2003, 10:38 AM

Why not just fix it. Buy a new head, or valves and just take off the head yourself and then take it to a shop. Save some money. If you buy a head, you don't even really have to care about things when you take it apart to remove it. Buying a head and having a shop do the rest shouldn't be more than 600-800.

Silver92si · 02-06-2003, 10:57 PM

Appreciate the encouragement, but the quotes that I've gotten to have headwork done in LA (replacing all valves if bent) is $1500 - $2500. This is my fiance's car and I spend all my time with work, keeping my car running and getting ready to go back to school. Just for the labor to swap head, do timing belt and waterpump is $600 here.

Akkord29 · 02-06-2003, 11:29 PM

i got lucky on the valves but my tranny problems are endless....jus pray someday i will have a decent car

SikRedRX-8 · 02-07-2003, 07:20 AM

I have a few pretty new heads for the H23 already together. Throw me an offer and it is yours. way cheaper than replacing all the valves.

Silver92si · 02-07-2003, 02:25 PM

sik96, I appreciate the offer, but I don't have the time and can't perform the repair in my Apt. complex's parking lot.
So what is she worth as is?

brendon2k · 02-07-2003, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silver92si
sik96, I appreciate the offer, but I don't have the time and can't perform the repair in my Apt. complex's parking lot.
So what is she worth as is?

You would be suprised, Alan pulled of his head rebuilt in an apartment parking lot.