Timing Belt Tensioner Issue - Could Someone Be So Kind?

[fozzybear]

What I thought was a problem with a rattle in the exhaust sounds more like it's probably the timing belt tensioner issue that some on this board have talked about. Can someone lay out the exact issue for me?

As someone who hasn't done more then checking valve clearance, is replacing the tensioner too difficult for someone of my skill level? I have 77k on the odometer, is it perhaps better to wait it out another 10k - 20k or so and have the tensioner replaced when the timing belt is replaced? Sounds like the labor involved with paying one just to change the tensioner is almost as much as a timing belt replacement.

Thanks for your time.

[THATPRELUDEGUY]

Originally posted by fozzybear
What I thought was a problem with a rattle in the exhaust sounds more like it's probably the timing belt tensioner issue that some on this board have talked about. Can someone lay out the exact issue for me?

As someone who hasn't done more then checking valve clearance, is replacing the tensioner too difficult for someone of my skill level? I have 77k on the odometer, is it perhaps better to wait it out another 10k - 20k or so and have the tensioner replaced when the timing belt is replaced? Sounds like the labor involved with paying one just to change the tensioner is almost as much as a timing belt replacement.

Thanks for your time.

I wouldnt wait too long on the autotensioner, if it lets go your motor will be toast. I'd have the timing belt and autotensioner done and I KNOW I can do it myself. It's a time consuming and must be done right type of repair.

[94prelude_v-tec]

Just change everything right now. If your tensioner is bad your timing belt could fal off and that would be very bad. save alot of money by spending a little.

[drift]

if your tiing belt tensioner is rattling, then there would be major damage already.

i'm not buying this folks... seems like one person mentioned a problem with their tensioner and now everyone has become paranoid.

i havent had a problem with my auto tensioner after 120k miles, 3 engine swaps using the same tensioner, and placing over 300whp output from the motor from turbocharging.

the problem with the autotensioner is normally from improper timing belt replacement. most people dont know they have to lubricate the tensioner with engine oil every time it's removed as the oil leaks out upon disassembly. this is turn causes it to heat up, stick, and prevent it from keeping tension on the belt.

[preylude99]

Well that is true drift, but most of the 5th gen owners i have talked to have had theirs go out..... and the problem didnt happen before a belt change, it happened at around 40-50K miles. From what I have heard it is the bearing in the tensioner that goes bad, and extends all the way out stuck in that position, actually over-tightening the belt instead of not enough tensioner, thus making the GRRRRR noise or loud click or series of clicks on deceleration.

[fozzybear]

I took it to my mechanic and indeed they found it was the tensioner. I did not tell him initially but after he discovered the issue I told him there was a TSB on it.

Problem was fixed in the way of a new belt, tensioner, and water pump(since I figured this was basically a timing belt change 20k too early).

[preylude99]

hey fozzy.... did you hear it more so from the tensioner when the car wasnt fully warmed up? and if you listened in the engine bay while you revved could you hear like a loud tap or pop where the tensioner is only on deceleration? cause thats happening on mine and i think its the tensioner, shouldnt be valve tapping cause it only does it on deceleration and if I put my ear close enough i can hear it right by where the tensioner is.

[fozzybear]

Originally posted by preylude99
hey fozzy.... did you hear it more so from the tensioner when the car wasnt fully warmed up? and if you listened in the engine bay while you revved could you hear like a loud tap or pop where the tensioner is only on deceleration? cause thats happening on mine and i think its the tensioner, shouldnt be valve tapping cause it only does it on deceleration and if I put my ear close enough i can hear it right by where the tensioner is.

Yes, what you describe is very similiar to what I experienced. The loudest I would hear it would be when the engine was cold and the fast idle was on. However, it would come and go. Sometimes when I turned it on I could hear, sometimes not. Someone on this board mentioned a low growl sound and that described it perfectly when I was in the car decelerating.

Before I heard about this issue I thought part of the exhaust near the exhaust manifold might be loose because that's what it sounded like to my ear. Even when I took it in that's what I described the problem as. Only when they mentioned the noise was coming from under the valve cover did I mention the TSB on this issue.

[factory]

I was doing research on this very issue and came across this thread. I just took my '99 Prelude in because of the "growling" / exhaust sounding noise.

The diagnosis was the timing belt and autotensioner needed replacement. Fortunately this will be covered under warranty.

Someone mentioned they also had their water pump replaced. Is this something I should request the dealer replace as well?

Should I expect any permanent damage resulting from the issue? At the time I took the car in for diagnosis, it was running fine (with the exception of the noise). I want to be CERTAIN the dealer fixes any issues as it's under warranty.

Anyone have a link to the TSB for this (or could post the TSB)?

Thanks.

[preylude99]

well the water pump is on where the timing belt is, so it would be practical to have it replaced then since if you ever have a problem with it, youll spend a lot of time/money going back in there....

[spider1968]

I went though this a few months ago with my 2000 Prelude with 70,000 km on it. I was getting the noise you describe and did a little searching and asking around. Here's the link to the Alldata tsb 01-010. There should be similar ones for whatever your model year is.
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/24/002404AR.html

I mentioned the symptoms to my dealer when it was in for regular servicing and had a copy of the tsb with me, just in case. They did not give me any problems and replaced the timing belt and tensioner under warranty. In Canada the powertrain warranty is 5yrs/100,000km's. That fixed the noise, and I saved myself some cash since I won't have to replace the belt again until 170,000km's.

So basically it's a case of if you complain to your Honda garage about it, they should fix it provided you still have some powertrain warranty left. If not you'll have to pay for a new belt and tensioner yourself. But under normal cases you need a new belt at 100,000km's (around 60k miles) anyway, and that is not covered.

I don't know if this particular engine (H22A) will be damaged if the belt breaks while it's running but I say better safe than sorry.

Hope this helps

[THATPRELUDEGUY]

Originally posted by spider1968


I don't know if this particular engine (H22A) will be damaged if the belt breaks while it's running but I say better safe than sorry.

Hope this helps

Yes it will hurt the motor if it lets go, the Honda motor is an interference motor.v

[preylude99]

well I thought the prob with the tensioner when it goes bad is not that it lets go, but that it gets extended and places too much tension on the belt....