Timing Belt Noise - Honda Prelude Forum

Shawn F. · 11-29-2009, 10:43 PM

I just changed my timing belt today on my 93 Prelude with an H23 and 5 speed tranny. The previous owner put a timing belt on with NO bolt on the timing belt tensioner and had JUST the spring holding the thing tight to the belt and the timing cam marks were off one tooth. I got a new tensioner, water pump, put a bolt in the tensioner, had to cut the spring some since it was stretched from the idiot who used just the bolt to keep tension on the belt and a handful of seals, etc. The car runs better but has a whining noise like a belt or almost like a supercharger sounds with the whine.
Is this normal and will it break in and quit or is something not done right? Any info or help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Nusdogg · 11-30-2009, 12:11 AM

No, its not normal. Mine was whinning very loud even when I'm at a stop light idling. Your Balancer belt is too tight which will cause this annoying whine.

Do this at your own risk! TDC the engine, back the adjusting nut off a quarter turn and tighten it back down to loosen up the balancer belt; you can do this with timing cover all still intact .

I have the H23 tensioner conversion on mine and the Timing belt was still tight after I loosen and tighten the adjusting bolt to give the balancer belt some slack.

So your Timing belt may come looser or not if you're still Auto Tensioner equipped after you loosen the adjusting nut and re-tighten it back down.

Shawn F. · 11-30-2009, 12:43 AM

Great, so even with the stock type auto tensioner it is too tight?
What if I keep driving it like this, will I run into any problems? As for doing this without the cover off, I dont see how I will be able to get to it without pulling the motor mount and raising/lowering the engine and getting to it. My buddy is the one who actually did the work for me the belt so I am unsure of how to do this. I am sure I can tackle it but my problem is, I work only on old cars, these little Honda's I do not work on ever nor care to work on so that is why I bring it to a friends to have it done.
Thanks again for any info!