85 prelude help
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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85 prelude help
I just bought a 85 prelude with the timing belt alreay brpke. I installed a new belt but it will not start and almost sounds like there is no compression. The guy I got the prelude from said it just quit running. Is there any special markings on the timing gears I need to look for? Also is it possible that the valve hit the piston? Any help or tricks would be great
Automotive Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: New York State
The crank should be at top dead center (the single mark on the crank pulley). And the cam gear(s) should have "up" written on them and two marks that you line up with the surface of the cylinder head. I don't know if this applies to Preludes, but all the other 80s Hondas I'm familiar with are like this.
A little chin music
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Cleveland, Ohio - Rock 'n Roll capitol of the World
Most Honda engines are referred to in mechanics terms as "interferrence engines", meaning when the belt breaks, the valves crash in to the pistons and kill the engine. I'm not an expert on older Honda engines, but I would not be surprised if your Prelude was (I know mine is and it's a 2000). If that is the case, unfortunately, it's the worst case. You will need to rebuild or replace the engine. I will be changing my belt in 2 weeks, as I have 78,000 miles on her and know it's better to be early than late. Honda recomends changing at 90,000 for newer cars, but I remember the older recomendation was 60,000.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Salem, Oregon
T-Belts
Actually, 98 and newer accords are all recommended at 105K. You're wasting time and money doing it before then, trust me. Most of the time when we have done belts on these newer engines, even at 135K (my wife's 98) the belts still look good and have minimal cracking.
As for the prelude, which engine is it? If it is the dual carb, then the valves should be okay, as that engine is essentially the same design as the accords of the same year, which we have NEVER had a bent valve on in 17 years.
Kabuki
As for the prelude, which engine is it? If it is the dual carb, then the valves should be okay, as that engine is essentially the same design as the accords of the same year, which we have NEVER had a bent valve on in 17 years.
Kabuki
A little chin music
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Cleveland, Ohio - Rock 'n Roll capitol of the World
Re: T-Belts
Originally posted by Kabuki
Actually, 98 and newer accords are all recommended at 105K. You're wasting time and money doing it before then, trust me. Most of the time when we have done belts on these newer engines, even at 135K (my wife's 98) the belts still look good and have minimal cracking.
Actually, 98 and newer accords are all recommended at 105K. You're wasting time and money doing it before then, trust me. Most of the time when we have done belts on these newer engines, even at 135K (my wife's 98) the belts still look good and have minimal cracking.
