After replacing the water pump, the car starts but does not stay running?

DANIHER07

MEMBER
1999 HONDA CIVIC
160,000 MILES

So, I replaced the water pump since it was leaking and was having trouble putting the timing belt because it was not fitting. There was a lot of tension. Once I finally got it on, the car started and drove for a bit and then turned off. Now it’s starting every time but shuts off shortly after. I'm not sure what to do. I don’t think it’s the timing belt since the car starts but iI don't know what else it could be since I didn’t touch any of the valves. Does anyone have any idea where I should go from here? I'm super stressed, lol.

1 Reply

AL514

MECHANIC
4,812 POSTS

Hello, when you did the water pump, did you remove the timing belt completely? Or set the timing marks before removing the belt? If you loosened the adjusting bolt, it would not have been too hard to get the belt back on. But the timing marks should have been lined up and the adjusting bolt (tensioner) should have been checked and readjusted. The belt may have jumped a tooth. Is this a VTEC model? You can easily take the top timing cover off and check that the marks line up. It sounds like the belt may have jumped a tooth or two and now the crankshaft position sensor is off. But if you remove the top cover and find that there is slack in the belt. You're going to have to pull it apart and line the marks up and make sure the adjuster can put the proper tension on the belt before the bolt is tightened back up. The adjusting bolt is only spring loaded, the spring and belt might need to be replaced. It may have gotten stretched if it was that tough to get on. I'll post the torque specs and marks to line the belt back up, but if you have not replaced the belt yet, it's best to adjust the belt now before something bad happens. I'll check to see if these are interference engines. If it is and the belt breaks, there will be contact with the piston and valves.
The sixth diagram shows how to check the marks by only removing the top timing cover.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-timing-belt-works

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