I have a 1987 Integra that is going through timing belts like they're going out of style! Actually, I'm averaging about 23,000 per timing belt, which is driving me to the poor house, fast!! Does anyone know of what might be going on here! Is there something that I should be replacing that I'm not? Is there something I'm missing here? Each time I've replaced the belt, the tensioner, and the water pump, etc. And that doesn't even take into consideration all the work that has to be done on the valves and head. I'm wondering if one or both of the cam gears might be out-of-balance or warped? The last time I replaced the timing belt, and before I put the timing belt covers back on, I noticed that after I started the engine to check my work, the gear on the crank shaft seemed to have a slight wobble to it - if that's possible! I don't know if I'm just digging here or not, or if my memory serves me right - It was months ago since I replaced that timing belt, but I really think I remember that gear wobbling a little bit?? If anyone has any ideas of why I'm going through these things like there's no tomorrow, please share it with me. I'd really appreciate any help I can get. Brad M.

 

Next time you have the to replace the belt I would make sure that the cam gears are torqued down to spec. If that is good and you still have some wobbling I would take them off and see if anything might have gotten stuck behind there for some reason and isn't seating properly. If none of this works and you have change the tensioner already I'm pretty much out of ideas. One last question though, are you using cheap belts or quality ones? Also, do you have the right tension on the belt?

 

Hey 90'RS - Thanks for the ideas and advice. As far as the cam gears being torqued down to speck, I'm pretty sure the last time I replaced the timing gear (around 23,000 miles ago) I followed all the directions and specks to the tee. But, I don't remember any specks for the tension on the belt. Do you have any idea of what the tension should be on that belt? And, how would I do the adjustment for that, from the tensioner? Also, I don't remember any wobbling with the cam gears - As I remember it, it was the gear on the crank shaft that seemed to wobble a bit. It's been about 9 months ago that I replaced that timing belt, so my memory might not serve me well. I hope to get the timing covers completely off today so I can get a better look at what's going on down there. But, from the little I did see down there last night, and it wasn't much because I was using a small flash light, I could see that the timing belt was held together by only a thread.
You asked me if I was using cheap belts or quality ones. I'm not sure where I bought the belt last time. Do you think the best way to go is through the Acura dealer?
Thanks for you advice - any other ideas are much appreciated - Brad.

 

i would by the best belt avail. for this reason, the belts are different like everything else, if you didn't tension the belt last time that would pose a serious prob. not sure on yours but on a b model you have to loosen the tensioner 180 degrees and rotate belt 3 teeth, then tighten tensioner, of course doing so shile cams are locked at tdc on #1, and crank is aligned with mark, if crank pulley is whobling you need to check the key way and or torque on the pulley bolt, here again this is on a ls or b model, not sure on yours. did anyone do valve or head work on the last go around? if not the cams and or sprockets shouldn't have been loosened, or removed, so torque shouldn't be a factor

 

I would bet it's belt tension causing premature wear. The best belts to use are OEM honda belts.

 

Very well said
Read the post a little fast and confused the crank and cam pulleys. Same applies for the crank as I said for the cams though. I'm not sure on the tensioner but thought it was automatic and in this case you need a new one. You can check a repair manual for this and if you don't have one I will look it up for ya.