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Car Forum / Honda Cars / July 2007Timing Belt Tension Problems
91 Civic, 197k miles I replaced the timing belt and tensioner the other day. I cookbooked my way through setting the tension, not knowing how things worked, and am pretty sure the rat-a-tat-tat I heard from the engine is the belt, somewhat loose, hitting the upper timing belt cover, for one.I just re-did the tensioning step, following especially Tegger's careful advice at http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.honda/browse_frm/thread/cf31d36fc1375d2 0/0f763a5f85ca7e05?lnk=st&q=teeth+pulley+(group%3Aalt.autos.honda+OR+rec.autos.m akers.honda)&rnum=8#0f763a5f85ca7e05 (post of Oct. 4, 2005), and the engine still makes the rat-a-tat-tat noise. I can feel the vibrations in synch with the rat-a-tat-tat on the when I put my hand on the upper timing belt cover. I watched for the TB's forward side (closest to the car's front) going tense, while the aft side went somewhat slack. In one attempt I did hear a little zing from the tensioner spring. I checked and re-checked this as I tightened the tensioner adjusting bolt. On my last attempt, I do not know if the "zing" and so tightening of the spring occurred or not. I checked the timing with a timing light, and there are no indications a tooth has jumped. I will continue to be very aware that this could happen, especially when the tensioner is loose or not set right. On my third attempt, I want to (1) loosen the tensioner screw more this time. (2) make sure I hear the "zing" from the tensioner spring (3) do as Jim Beam said in the above thread: (a) Turn the engine over three times; (b) watch the tension in the belt; and (c) watch that TDC on Cyl #1 aligns with the camshaft sprocket being in the correct "up" orientation. I will take the spark plugs out to make life easier this time. Is it true for step (3) that the TB aft side should always be pretty slack compared to the TB fwd side? Any other clues on how to get this right? Struggling here. Prompt responses are appreciated. > 91 Civic, 197k miles > [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > > Struggling here. Prompt responses are appreciated. (Posted and mailed) I'm not sure where the "turn the engine over three times" came from. Doesn't sound right. When the belt was off, the tensioner should have been pushed in as far as it would go against its spring, then bolted so it would stay there. Once the belt is on again, you 1) rotate the engine counterclockwise so as to put all the slack on the tensioner side, which should only be one or two teeth. 2) with a quick motion, loosen the tensioner bolt, which at that point should ZING out to take up the slack. 3) tighten the tensioner bolt BEFORE releasing the wrench. The important things are that the tensioner has to be pushed ALL the way back, so it can take a good run at the belt when it's released, and that the slack has to be entirely on the tensioner side of the belt. If the belt seems a bit loose even after that, you can tap the bolt head with your ratchet (while making sure the slack is in the right place). This will shock the tensioner into pushing out just a bit more. If you don't want to remove the covers again, you can loosen the tensioner, turn the engine CLOCKwise THREE TEETH, then snug the tensioner up again. This pulls the tensioner in a bit so you can try retensioning the belt. The tensioner can't get a good run at the belt in this case, so you may have to help it with taps from the ratchet. Good luck and hope this helps.  SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ > I'm not sure where the "turn the engine over three times" > came from. > Doesn't sound right. Jim noted that this was a good idea after the final tightening of the tensioner took place. > [***]When the belt was off, the tensioner should have been > pushed in as far > as it would go against its spring, then bolted so it would > stay there. Do you mean so that the spring is applying as little force as possible to the main body of the tensioner? > Once the belt is on again, you > 1) rotate the engine counterclockwise so as to put all the [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > releasing the > wrench. I was loosening the bolt prior to rotating the three teeth, watching so that a tooth did not skip. I will try the above instead, listening for the ZING. > The important things are that the tensioner has to be > pushed ALL the way > back, Is this the same as you describe at [***] above? > so it can take a good run at the belt when it's released, > and that [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > this case, so you may have to help it with taps from the > ratchet. I will try this first. I bear in mind that the engine has to be cold during this procedure. Unfortunately I find it too much of a battle to torque the tensioner bolt by going in with a socket from the top, so I have been removing the PS belt and alternator belt, then the crankshaft pulley, and going in from the bottom. I am rotating the left front wheel hub yada to rotate the crankshaft the necessary three teeth or so. Thank you. "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:UL6ni.8236 $tj6.7162@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net: >> I'm not sure where the "turn the engine over three times" >> came from. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Do you mean so that the spring is applying as little force > as possible to the main body of the tensioner? No, just the opposite. The spring is what pulls the tensioner against the belt. You have to expand (stretch) the spring as much as possible <snip> > Unfortunately I find it too much of a battle to torque the > tensioner bolt by going in with a socket from the top, so I > have been removing the PS belt and alternator belt, then the > crankshaft pulley, and going in from the bottom. I am > rotating the left front wheel hub yada to rotate the > crankshaft the necessary three teeth or so. It would be so much better if you used a wrench on the crank pulley. that's the authorized wy to do this, and you get a lot more control ("feel") using that method. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ 1991 Civic, 197k miles here, manual transmission "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote Tegger wrote >> If you don't want to remove the covers again, you can >> loosen the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > I will try this first. Darn, the timing belt slipped, and the car would not start. The engine is a bit flooded from three or so attempts. So yes, the doomsday scenario has descended. Any insight for the most efficient way to find the proper orientation of the TB is welcome. Here is my approach so far: 1. Set camshaft so sprocket indicates up, marks aligned with the top of they cylinder head, per manual's direction to get all valves set "right," namely, such that Cyl #1 is at TDC. Immobilize camshaft. 2. All spark plugs out. Stick rod down Cyl #1 spark plug hole, rotate crankshaft, and watch rod rise and fall. Turn crankshaft so that Piston #1 is at TDC. Immobilize crankshaft. 3. Install timing belt carefully. I am bound to be off a tooth or two. (Or possibly 180 degrees plus or minus?). 4. Reassemble, this time hopefully setting the tensioner correctly. 5. Attempt to run engine. If it starts, then I'm off at worst a tooth or so. If not, then what? 6. Check timing with timing light. If timing cannot be set correctly, then I'm likely off a tooth or so. So far I found I do not have to completely disconnect the PS pump nor remove the side engine mount to do this much. Thanks for the elaboration on the tensioner in the other post, Tegger. This helps. Please comment on the above as it is convenient. > 1991 Civic, 197k miles here, manual transmission > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > the most efficient way to find the proper orientation of the > TB is welcome. Here is my approach so far: Don't panic yet. If I were you, though, I would not at this point try to set the pistons to TDC. If the cam/crank alignment is off, you need to start from scratch, being mindful of damage to the valves.. First: Get the pistons all to half-way. Remove belt, remove spark plugs. Stick a rod down each cylinder until you find the pair that is closest to the top. Now carefully find out which way turning the crank *with a socket* results in those going DOWN. Turn crank that way until the pistons are all at the same height. This way they are out of range of the valves. Second: Replace the crank bolt. Buzz it down to approximately 50 ft lbs. Use washers if necessary to mimic the spacing of the crank pulley. LEAVE THE PULLEY AND TIMING COVER OFF! Third: Turn the camshaft until the #1 cylinder's valves are all closed, and so the marks on the cam pulley and head are matched perfectly. Fourth: Turn the crank *with a socket* so the #1 piston climbs UP, until it reaches TDC. At this point the TDC mark on the crankshaft should perfectly match the mark on the block. At this point it does not matter which way you turn the crank. Fifth: Push the tensioner so the spring is stretched as far as you can stretch it. Sixth: Replace the timing belt. Make ABSOLUTELY certain the cam, crank and head/block marks are aligned PERFECTLY. It is distressingly easy to get it off by one tooth. You will likely have to turn the cam pulley slightly to get the teeth to line up. When the belt goes on, make sure all the slack is on the tensioner side. Seventh: Double check the cam and crank alignment marks. Eighth: With the wrench on the crank bolt (or your hand on the cam pulley), make certain all the slack is on the tensioner side, then loosen the tensioner bolt with a quick motion. It ought to ZING up then stop. Still maintaining pressure on the crank bolt, tighten the tensioner bolt. Ninth: Triple check the marks and the tension. If OK, remove crank bolt, reinstall timing cover, crank pulley, crank bolt, etc. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in news:Xns9970BD0718AD6tegger@ 207.14.116.130: > Fourth: Turn the crank *with a socket* so the #1 piston climbs UP, until > it reaches TDC. At this point the TDC mark on the crankshaft should > perfectly match the mark on the block. At this point it does not matter > which way you turn the crank. So long as the #1 piston is moving UP when you turn! If the #1 is moving DOWN, 2 and 3 are moving up, and their valves are OPEN! SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ > Don't panic yet. > [quoted text clipped - 63 lines] > remove crank bolt, > reinstall timing cover, crank pulley, crank bolt, etc. Success! After thinking most of the afternoon this was going to be the one maintenance job where I surrendered and had the car towed to a shop, my Civic and I are sitting pretty. No more rat-a-tat-tat; the timing is perfect (or is near as a person can see with a timing light and those eye-straining crankshaft pulley marks!). I examined that tensioner on and off the car, read and re-read your notes, Tegger, read and re-read a few other descriptions for setting the tension, and somehow stumbled into the right tension setting. I was halfway through when I read your post a few hours ago, Tegger, and was happy to see some corroboration for what I was doing. E.g., um, discovering/remembering this is an interference engine, so the cam shaft is going to be obstructed unless the pistons are all about mid-way. I checked and re-checked the alignment of cam and crank. When I finally felt I had the tension set, I rotated all a few revolutions by hand to see that (1) the belt was not slipping or slapping (it was doing that earlier; now I know this is a sign of the wrong tension, even though the belt was holding while I drove it around the other day); and (2) to re-check my piston #1 TDC with the camshaft's "up" marks. As for getting the cam and crank aligned correctly, with belt on, I can understand if no one believes me, because I am still in shock, but I got it right on the first try. I thought sure there would be two to five more tries. I shorted the service check connector and checked the timing. The distributor needed a tiny bit of rotation to put the center red mark (on the crankshaft pulley) yada where it is supposed to be. I left the PS pump and cruise control actuator disconnected and off to the side while I troubleshot all this. Tegger, I still need to explore that tensioner's operation. This might be worth a write-up, because the darn thing's operation is still pretty confusing to me. Still, with your comments and some experimenting with it installed and nearly all the interference down near the crank removed, I made progress. I still feel stupid, but less so. In any event, I very much appreciate your prompt response. It got me going down the right paths. I did indeed panic a bit when the belt slipped with the car running. I think I should go to the casino now, since I surely was so lucky today. :-) "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:%Jdni.9286 $zA4.2669@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net: > I think I should go to the casino now, since I surely was > so lucky today. :-) Two thumbs up! Glad you got it going. The tensioner can be a bit of a puzzle. I did not mention it before because I forgot, but it is easy to get the tensioner and spring assembled incorrectly, in which case it will not zing up properly when asked to do so. I myself somehow got the tensioner and spring improperly assembled the first time I did my belt (had replaced the tensioner). When it did not respond correctly to my attempts at "zinging" it, I investigated further and discovered my mistake. My belt is not due to be replaced for a few years yet, and I did my wife's just last year, so it may be a while before I manage to get some photos, unless somebody has some to contribute. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ > The tensioner can be a bit of a puzzle. I did not mention > it before because [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > when asked to do > so. I checked the orientation of the hooks at the end of the spring on the old setup first, so I think I got those right. I wish I'd made other observations, though. I think I will go to my local "U-Pull-It" auto junkyard and see if I can find some old tensioners still installed. > My belt is not due to be replaced for a few years yet, and > I did my wife's > just last year, so it may be a while before I manage to > get some photos, > unless somebody has some to contribute. I wish I understood how the tensioner works well enough to write this experience up, with photos. I am holding onto the old tensioner and spring for awhile to see if I become "inspired." OTOH, my 91's design is so old, I am not sure it will be of much value for very long. >> The tensioner can be a bit of a puzzle. I did not mention >> it before because [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > OTOH, my 91's design is so old, I am not sure it will be of > much value for very long. operation is very straight forward - need to rotate the engine to ensure the belt is sufficiently seated on all pulleys and that tension on all the runs is in equilibrium. then, the tensioner can take up on the "slackest" run of the belt. the spring is perfect for this. "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:aYfni.8389 $tj6.6083@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net: > I wish I understood how the tensioner works well enough to > write this experience up, with photos. I am holding onto the > old tensioner and spring for awhile to see if I become > "inspired." Take some pics. Post them. > OTOH, my 91's design is so old, I am not sure it will be of > much value for very long. They don't change much over the years. Our '99 Tercel's works the same way as my '91 Integra's. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ except your Tercel is non-interference design... :) Also, is there really a huge danger to damage the valves if you are only hand turning the engine? I have seen several instances on the group where valves did not get damaged when the engine was at low speeds. I guess your theory is 'why take a chance?', and it does make some sense. t >"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:aYfni.8389 >$tj6.6083@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net: [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >They don't change much over the years. Our '99 Tercel's works the same way >as my '91 Integra's. > except your Tercel is non-interference design... :) Theoretically, yes. But the clearance is on the order of a few thousandths of an inch. A bit of carbon buildup and suddenly it's an interference engine. > Also, is there really a huge danger to damage the valves if you are > only hand turning the engine? Absolutely. At all times there will be a few valves that are open. If the belt is off and one valve is sticking way down and you crank the engine just a bit too vigorously, that valve goes V-shaped. Serious interference. > I have seen several instances on the > group where valves did not get damaged when the engine was at low > speeds. Even at high speeds. My boss's CR-V's belt snapped on him on the freeway. No valve damage. (He was at almost double the recommended replacement mileage, so it's his fault.) That's because both cams and cranks are moving of their own inertia. They will tend to stay more closely in time than the example above, and will tend to stop more-or-less together as well. I also suspect some Honda engines are just barely interference designs, sort of like the Tercel's engine. Or maybe Honda is being conservative in its labeling practices. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ >> I wish I understood how the tensioner works well enough >> to [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Take some pics. Post them. See http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id21.html for photos, along with an explanation of where I am confused. I started a discussion at honda-tech.com as well. So far, one person has commented that the "hole" has to go on a certain peg. Which makes some sense, since I was wondering what the hole opposite the one where the tensioner attaches is for. Newer Civic tensioner adjusting instructions make reference to pegging down the tensioner..., though the design is a bit different. I think I may have to go back in there and at least check everything. All is fine after a few days of driving around 100 miles, highway and suburban. But... "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:gOboi.8957 $rR.1876@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net: >>> I wish I understood how the tensioner works well enough >>> to [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > everything. All is fine after a few days of driving around > 100 miles, highway and suburban. But... I had a look at the photos on your site. Something does not look right. See how the tensioner has a kidney-shaped hole in it? You'll notice the curve of the hole is axial to the pivot hole shown to the right of the photos. The spring is shown extending radially from the tensioner. This is surely incorrect: the spring cannot operate in this orientation. The spring should be rotated 90 degrees either one way or the other from its current position. In other words, it should be TANGENT to the tensioner. The purpose of the spring is to pull the tensioner away from the crankshaft, pulling the belt with it. The spring must be AXIAL to the crank, but TANGENT to the tensioner. See this pic: http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/tensioner.pdf I marked it up kinda quickly, so you may have to spend a bit of time figuring out what goes where. If this is not clear (and I suspect it will not be), let me know and I will redo in more dramatic fashion. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ > The purpose of the spring is to pull the tensioner away from the > crankshaft, pulling the belt with it. The spring must be AXIAL to the > crank, RADIAL, sorry. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ > The spring must be AXIAL to the > crank, RADIAL, sorry. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ "Tegger" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote Re the photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id21.html > I had a look at the photos on your site. > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > position. In other words, it should be TANGENT to the > tensioner. My photo-taking bad: The new tensioner actually now installed on my Honda does have the spring "acting" tangentially. What I photographed was a "mock-up" using the old tensioner and old spring, thrown together hastily with no attention to detail. I checked several Hondas at the junkyard yesterday. As far as the spring orientation is concerned, these Hondas' tensioner installations look like my Honda's. > The purpose of the spring is to pull the tensioner away > from the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > See this pic: > http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/tensioner.pdf I can follow this drawing very easily. Thank you. What you labeled the "pivot point" is where I may have messed up. While I wondered about that "pivot point" hole opposite where the spring attaches, I did not figure out that it was a pivot point. At this point I have been searching for instructions specifically on "tensioner installation," because none of my FS manuals say anything about looking for this peg and hanging the tensioner on it... It's not like this peg is easy to notice, given the tightness of this space. Nothing in the newsgroup archives mentions this, either. I guess it should have been obvious that the other, larger hole does have a function. I think the only question now is whether I should go back in there, check everything, and follow the steps for tensioning again, this time paying more attention to the peg etc. Before starting the car a few days ago, I rotate the crankshaft about three times and watched the TB. Also, it's been 150 miles of problem-free driving since then. Admittedly I can probably get back in there and out again in a morning at this point. Or maybe I can just take the upper timing cover off and feel to see if the spring is in tension? I think I was getting away with this at the junkyard yesterday. Thanks again for your help. > "Tegger" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote > Re the photos at [quoted text clipped - 58 lines] > crankshaft about three times and watched the TB. Also, it's > been 150 miles of problem-free driving since then. you can drive with a very slack belt for some time, but it could skip at random. a slack belt also gives flutter on the timing/sensor signals. best to check it's assembled right and re-tension per the book. ensures another 100k of trouble free mileage and peak performance. > Admittedly I can probably get back in there and out again in > a morning at this point. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Thanks again for your help. "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:pfeoi.10420 $Od7.6386@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net: > I think the only question now is whether I should go back in > there, check everything, and follow the steps for tensioning [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Or maybe I can just take the upper timing cover off and feel > to see if the spring is in tension? Take the upper timing cover off. Put a socket on the crank bolt, and put all the slack on the tensioner side by applying some counterclockwise pressure on the socket. How much slack is there? If there appears not enough slack to make the belt move much away from the crank timing belt pulley teeth, then you're fine. Remember that the crank timing belt pulley is very small, and presents the most danger for a jumped belt. If you can't decide if there's enough slack to make the belt jump the crank pulley, then you'll need to take enough apart that you can see the crank timing belt pulley. Once the tensioner bolt is tightened, the spring ceases to have any function. If the tension is OK, just leave everything alone. If you can't decide if the amount of slack you have is OK, leave the upper timing cover off and drive to a garage. Ask a tech there for his professional opinion. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ > Once the tensioner bolt is tightened, the spring ceases to have any > function. In fact, once the tensioner bolt is tightened, you could even remove the spring if you wanted to. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ >> Once the tensioner bolt is tightened, the spring ceases >> to have any [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > even remove the > spring if you wanted to. I appreciate this information. I was unsure of how critical it was to have the tensioner's larger hole (= the one opposite where the spring attaches) on the peg. Also, I'd never had tension on the spring (in this past week of travails, albeit mostly good learning ones). Not knowing any better, this morning in 3.5 hours I went in there, got the tensioner properly "pegged," got the spring properly tensed, set the tension, rotated the crank a few times and watched for smooth operation and neither too much slack nor too much tightness, buttoned her up, checked the timing. All is well. Thanks so much for sticking with me on this one. I am getting really fast at changing timing belts. I am curious: Where did you get the PDF drawing? "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:j2toi.10554 $Od7.6925@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net: >>> Once the tensioner bolt is tightened, the spring ceases >>> to have any [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > it was to have the tensioner's larger hole (= the one > opposite where the spring attaches) on the peg. That's extremely important. The tensioner will not function unless it can pivot on that peg. > Also, I'd > never had tension on the spring (in this past week of [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > tightness, buttoned her up, checked the timing. All is well. > Thanks so much for sticking with me on this one. Just glad to help. I was also kind of curious what the problem was. As I said earlier, it's easy to assemble the tensioner incorrectly, since it can go together several different ways. > I am getting really fast at changing timing belts. Experience counts. The first time I removed a Macpherson strut it took me over an hour. The second time it was 20 minutes. By the third time I was down to five minutes. > I am curious: Where did you get the PDF drawing? It's just a (bad) scan from my '91 Integra's shop manual. I then added the text in a graphics program. I had the scan resolution set very low without noticing it, which is why it's so bad. I corrected the wrong text, but otherwise will leave this one alone. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ > That's extremely important. The tensioner will not > function unless it > can pivot on that peg. By any chance do you mean the tensioner's //spring// will not function unless the tensioner housing can pivot on the peg? And if this is so, then given that you observed that, "Once the tensioner bolt is tightened, the spring ceases to have any function... you could even remove the spring if you wanted... ," then the peg also only has a function during this tension adjusting step, so it too could be removed? >> I am curious: Where did you get the PDF drawing? > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > it, which is why > it's so bad. I think it's very helpful. My web site on this is garbage at the moment. I will either take it down or re-do it. If I re-do it, and if you do not mind, I may put the PDF file on it. Okay? I do not see this drawing at the UK site's "factory service" manuals. Do you know whether the UK sites's manuals are abbreviated ones? Plus there is no "tensioner replacement" section; only an "adjusting TB tension" one. Does your Acura shop manual have a "tensioner replacement" section? >> That's extremely important. The tensioner will not >> function unless it [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > not function unless the tensioner housing can pivot on the > peg? correct pivot action is essential to correct setup. > And if this is so, then given that you observed that, > "Once the tensioner bolt is tightened, the spring ceases to > have any function... you could even remove the spring if you > wanted... ," then the peg also only has a function during > this tension adjusting step, so it too could be removed? you should set the tension with the covers on, so you shouldn't be able to remove anything. >>> I am curious: Where did you get the PDF drawing? >> It's just a (bad) scan from my '91 Integra's shop manual. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > section; only an "adjusting TB tension" one. Does your Acura > shop manual have a "tensioner replacement" section? "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:uMJoi.9584 $rR.4592@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net: >> That's extremely important. The tensioner will not >> function unless it [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > not function unless the tensioner housing can pivot on the > peg? You could put it that way, yes. But ultimately the result is the same either way, in that the tensioner will not take up the slack of the belt if the tensioner is not properly located on the peg. > And if this is so, then given that you observed that, > "Once the tensioner bolt is tightened, the spring ceases to > have any function... you could even remove the spring if you > wanted... ," then the peg also only has a function during > this tension adjusting step, so it too could be removed? Yes. The bolt you tighten is what holds the tensioner in place for normal use. The spring just provides the initial preload on the belt. My statement about removing the spring was intended as an illustration, not as something you would actually want to do. >>> I am curious: Where did you get the PDF drawing? >> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > re-do it, and if you do not mind, I may put the PDF file on > it. Okay? It's yours. I just ask that you attribute the diagram to my site. > I do not see this drawing at the UK site's "factory service" > manuals. Do you know whether the UK sites's manuals are > abbreviated ones? Plus there is no "tensioner replacement" > section; only an "adjusting TB tension" one. Does your Acura > shop manual have a "tensioner replacement" section? No it doesn't. Mine only has an adjustment section. Plus a couple of diagrams showing exploded views of the area that has the tensioner. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in news:pfeoi.10420 $Od7.6386@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net: >> See this pic: >> http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/tensioner.pdf > > I can follow this drawing very easily. Thank you. I just noticed I have the tensioner spring mislabeled as "tensioner" in that diagram. I'll fix that later today. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ >>> I wish I understood how the tensioner works well enough >>> to [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > everything. All is fine after a few days of driving around > 100 miles, highway and suburban. But... that spring doesn't look right. it's /definitely/ not correctly oriented. it should be a shorter thicker spring, and it's got a plastic sleeve on it. it hooks onto a pin above the idler so that it causes the idler to rotate about its fixed pivot point. >> 91 Civic, 197k miles >> [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] > I'm not sure where the "turn the engine over three times" came from. > Doesn't sound right. it comes from the service manual. > When the belt was off, the tensioner should have been pushed in as far > as it would go against its spring, then bolted so it would stay there. but that only tensions that one length of belt. you need to rotate to ensure all the lengths between all the rollers have adequate tension. > Once the belt is on again, you > 1) rotate the engine counterclockwise so as to put all the slack on the [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Good luck and hope this helps. Not that this would help you now, but the way we ensured proper belt, cam, and crank position on my bro-in-laws 01 Accord was to mark the belt and pulley with white-out on the pulley marks. Once the belt was off, we counted the number of teeth from each mark on the belt, then put matching white-out marks on the new belt. We then slid the new belt right on to the engine, and everything lined up perfectly! I will be using this method on every timing belt I do from now on. It totally took the 'fear factor' out of being out by a tooth or 2. Any thoughts on the above? t >91 Civic, 197k miles > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > >Struggling here. Prompt responses are appreciated. > Not that this would help you now, but the way we ensured > proper belt, cam, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > new belt right on to the engine, and everything lined up > perfectly! This is indeed exactly what Idid. But then I set the tensioner incorrectly. I drove around 20 miles with symptoms, not knowing what exactly was wrong. The next day,tTroubleshooting the tensioner resulted, at one point, in a too slack TB. The TB slipped, and the car would not start. The camshaft and crankshaft had both been rotated quite a lot by this time, so the marks became meaningless. > I will be using this method on every timing belt I do from > now on. It > totally took the 'fear factor' out of being out by a tooth > or 2. > > Any thoughts on the above? I have used it in the past and it is the way to go. I am still stunned at how lucky I got yesterday. I moved both crankshaft and camshaft independently of each other a lot, too, prior to re-installing the belt. Late yesterday afternoon I was really beat and sort of slapped the belt back on, thinking no matter how careful I was, I'd have to re-assemble nearly all, try to start it, check the timing with my timing light, estimate how far off I was, then disassemble all and adjust by a tooth or more. After around 30 miles of driving today, my Civic is still running great. I will feel better after a full week has gone by, though. Still, I celebrated with the purchase of four new tires and an alignment (by an import specialized shop which explained everything they found) this morning. The ride is really smooth. I am stylin' in this old but incredibly reliable and fuel efficient car. >> Not that this would help you now, but the way we ensured proper belt, >> cam, [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > morning. The ride is really smooth. I am stylin' in this old but > incredibly reliable and fuel efficient car. So, there was a happy ending to this saga. You are braver than I -- I don't touch them anymore. It was easy in the old days when I had a Sunbeam Tiger or was tuning a 1970 Honda CB 750 or an an older Triumph Bonneville. > Not that this would help you now, but the way we ensured proper belt, > cam, and crank position on my bro-in-laws 01 Accord was to mark the > belt and pulley with white-out on the pulley marks. Just exactly what I do. It helps immensely in preventing the "one tooth off" error. > Once the belt was off, we counted the number of teeth from each mark > on the belt, then put matching white-out marks on the new belt. We [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Any thoughts on the above? Excellent idea. SignatureTegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
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