Timing Belt/Water Pump Change?

Tiny
ANDREW84
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 HONDA PRELUDE
Engine Performance problem
2001 Honda Prelude 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 150km miles

I recently decided to get my timing belt and water pump change over with. I've noticed after the change the car sounds way different it's louder and around 2500rpms and up the exhaust note is much deeper and rougher sounding then before.

I took it back to my mechanic and he took it for a test ride and told me nothing sounded out of the ordinary and the new different sound may just be because the parts are new.

I don't quite understand how replacing the belt could impact the way the motor runs.

Should I be concerned?
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 AT 5:56 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

The two things that need checking is that the valve timing is correct and the belt is not over tensioned, this will have to be checked by the mechanic that did the job, start here.

This guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/diagrams/honda/prelude/2001

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
ICEMAN1506
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 HONDA PRELUDE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 145,000 MILES
I am replacing my timing belt and the crankshaft moved on me can you tell me how to reset the timing it is an sh motor with dual over head cams thanks.
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-1
Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/261618_Graphic_676.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/261618_Graphic2_95.jpg

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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN TERRY JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HONDA PRELUDE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 156,000 MILES
For reasons that I woun't go into now. I had to remove the timing belt covers and check to see if all the timing alignment points were lined up. They are lined up but there is slack in the balancer belt. The timing belt seems ok. What's the best way to remove the slack?
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Remove the auto-tensioner from front of engine. Place auto-tensioner in soft-jawed vise with maintenance bolt facing up. See Fig.below.
DO NOT grip housing.

Remove maintenance bolt from top of auto-tensioner.
Use a flat-bladed screwdriver to compress auto-tensioner to bottomed out position.
Place stopper on auto-tensioner.
Refill any oil that may have spilled out, and install maintenance bolt with new gasket.
Install auto-tensioner on engine with stopper in place.
Install timing belt around crankshaft drive pulley, adjusting pulley, water pump, exhaust camshaft pulley, then intake camshaft pulley. Ensure crankshaft and camshaft pulleys remain aligned at TDC


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic1_664.jpg

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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NICHOLASMAR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 HONDA PRELUDE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 112,000 MILES
I have a 1998 Honda Prelude Type SH and I recently had my timing belt replaced. I had to take it back 2 or 3 times to fix oil leaks. After getting the last time my car was stalling at idle. I took it back and the mechanic didn't experience a stall at idle but did notice the rpm's dipped low at idle so he turn the idle screw and all seemed well (though I never thought turning the idle screw was a good idea). Then my check engine light starts coming on once in a while at idle (not very often, every couple of months). The code is for engine misfires cylinder 4, 2 and random. Then I barely pass smog due to high hydrocarbons (I was like 8ppm away from failing). Also, since I got my car back I noticed a whining noise, but I just assumed it was because the timing belt was new and needed to be broken in, but it is still making the whining noise a year later. So my mechanic doesn't seem to think anything is related to the work his shop did (he won't even check it out). So I am wondering how can I tell if my timing is correct or if it is off a tooth or two? Can I tell by just taking off the valve cover because I was thinking of doing a valve adjustment anyway? (By the way I also had a new clutch put in at the same time as the timing belt if that makes any difference).
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You must remove the timing cover to check the marks here is a guide to help you find out for sure.

https://www.2carpros.com/diagrams/honda/prelude/1998

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BB6PRELUDE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA PRELUDE
Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Honda Prelude 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 144xxx miles

I was trying to change my timing belt on the prelude. But when I come across the crank pulley bolt. I just cant get it off. I try using an air compressor and it didnt come out. I also try using its Special Tools, from honda, and that wouldnt move a bit. IS there any otherway I can get it out? ( I think the mechanic previously use locktight and air gun that bolt back in) thats why is so tight on it? Any ideas? I just dont want to tow it to the shop because I know they will charge up the a$$ !
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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The use of an air gun is almost a must
use an old socket place over the bolt and give it a good few hit and retry again
if have a broken timing belt suspect a bent valve too
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACK_PRELUDE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 HONDA PRELUDE
Engine Mechanical problem
1996 Honda Prelude 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual

We have taken our 96 type S prelude to a workshop to get a few things done, clutch needed replacing also cam-belt and oil seals as these were leaking,

My main question is Do you have to remove the engine and gear box from the vehicle?

They removed this by lifting it out the bonnet sitting cables on the paint work - which is now scratched.

Also what would be a reasonable time from for this work to be completed?
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi Black_prelude,

To replace the timng belt and clutch, removing the whole assy would make work easier, though not necessary.

If they had damaged the paint work, it should be their responsibility to get it repaired.

The book time should be about 6 hours.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKESMOM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA PRELUDE
Engine Mechanical problem
1995 Honda Prelude Front Wheel Drive Automatic 130, 00 miles

I'm looking to purchase this car for $1,500, but the timing belt needs to be replaced. The car doesn't run, and has been sitting for one year. I'm concerned that the valves are damaged, and also concerned about rust in the cylinder due to the length of time the car has been sitting.

As I cannot drive the car to my mechanic for an estimate, I am wondering if it would be worth my while to replace and install a new motor. Do you have an idea of what that would cost? And should I try to negotiate the price downards with the seller?The exterior and interior of the car are in mint condition

Any advice you can provide, would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Mike's Mom
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
I wouldn't worry about rust in the cylinders unless the vehicle has sat for many years. Does the engine manually crank over from the crank pulley? If it does, nothing is seized and is a good sign.

An engine goes for around $1000-$1500.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EUGENE KRENZER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 HONDA PRELUDE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 135,000 MILES
I need to find the timing marks so I can replace the timing belt
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
The timing marks are on the harmonic balancer and are used for setting ignition timing, nothing to do with the timing belt.

The belts for the timing belt are on the gears on the ends of the crank and cam shafts.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ROB6227
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • HONDA PRELUDE
Hi, my timing belt snapped on my '94 Honda prelude 2.2 vtec. (93,000 miles) is this a definite damage to the valves/pistons Job? I've taken the car to a garage to get the belt replaced etc. But don't know if I trust them to tell me the truth if it happens to be okay, obviously big money for them to do further work.
I wasn't going fast when it snapped as I had just come off a roundabout, but did try to restart twice.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
The speed really wouldn't make a difference. I don't know the odds but I suppose it is possible to have the belt go and not have a piston hit the valve. It would be low. I would personally pull the head off and examine it, but then I do all the work myself so that isn't fair to you. They need to evaluate if the head was damaged. Given the age of the car I would get a used head and have a auto parts shop go over it for you and check it for cracks and warpage. If ok I would have them replace the guide seals, etc and get the head ready. Then mechanic could put on the new head, belt and WATER PUMP.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ROB6227
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi Bruce, thanks for the info. I guess it's a fingers crossed job, & see what happens. I'm just really scared of how much this is going to cost me. :(
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
Just talk to the mechanic and shop around however, make sure the mechanic knows how to fix a car and is responsible for his work.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
114724554
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 1992 HONDA PRELUDE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 100 MILES
Hi, I have a 92 Honda prelude Si with a manual h22a Vtec engine. Since the old timing belts worn out, I bought a new set of Greddy timing belts, water pump and camshaft oil seals and a set of manual tension(all OEM parts except the belts).
My mechanic installed everything to the car, the engine sounded fine and ran pretty well. But after driving few miles, there was a whine sound came from inside the timing belts, the sound increase when high rpm. So I took the car back to the shop, they adjusted the belts back to normal twice but the whine sound kept coming back after. The mechanic said it's either the belts or the bolt of the manual tension fail.
I had spent so many $ for the parts and labor. But still cant find the problem. I really need some help here.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)

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