As I informed you before, my H22 makes this sound at 1000 RPM: http://www.volny.cz/veitel/prelude/vtec.mp3.

As some of you advised me, I have made the auto to manual tensioner conversion on my H22 and the f*cking noise is still there!!! Some basic facts:

1) The sound comes only at approx. 1000RPM, nowhere else.

2) Exactly the same noise made my previous F22, at 1000 and 1800 RPM (there was no auto tensioner).

3) The timing belt does this sound, NOT the balancer belt (I have removed it and tested). It is also NOT PS pump, alternator or A/C.

4) The tensioner and adjusting pulley were replaced for the manual H23 one.

5) When I set the timing belt tension according to the Helm's, the belt is pretty tight (same as with the autotensioner) and the sound is there (again same as with the autotensioner). When I make it little loose, the sound dissapears, but the belt vibrates a bit (about +-0.5cm, it is 1cm on its "longest way" - between the exhaust camshaft and crankshaft).

What can it be? Water pump? The pump has 50,000miles (80,000km). Somebody told me that the water pump is "oiled" by the antifreeze. My coolant is not exactly 50:50, maybe it is 30:70 (more water than antifreeze). Can this do that?

 

hey man, check the inside of your valvecover where the camgears spin. Ive had problems of the timing belt acctually rubbing on the inside of the cover. If this is the case, be carefull because my belt snapped cause of it.

 

Just on the side, you should always replace the water pump when you work on the belts, no matter the mileage. You won't know when it goes, and if it starts to leak, you won't know either untill it's too late.

 

Another timing belt question since I know oh, crap about cars...
My Lude is at 75,000 miles. Honda recommends change at 105k but really when would be ideal to be safe?
And when I get it done should I have the auto tensioner done too?
And the water pump?
What should I look to budget for this?

 

I just changed mine at 82k. It depends on how hard the car was driven, but I don't recomend letting it go past 90k. They use 105k as a reference for light-moderate driving. Changing it is a labor intense job..... the engine mounts have to be removed, front of the engine torn appart. Your Honda dealer will typically charge 500.00 - 700.00 for parts and labor (replace timing belt, counter ballance belt, water pump, both accessory belts, cam adjustment). You can obviously get it cheaper at a garage, but make sure they are familiar with Hondas. I did mine with the help of my uncle who is a certified ASE for all makes and works out of his house, so he had the tools and equipment to do it right. I spent about 300.00.

 

Yes, I think timing belt is nothing difficult, but just very time consuming. Before you start, make some marks on all the pulleys and you can't go wrong.

 

I know they say to replace timing belt and water pump and stuff at 105K. My tnsioner went bad at 54K and had to get timing belt and tensioner replaced. My car was under extended warranty and so this cost me $50. The dealer tried to get me to get water pump replaced at same time for an additional $500. I refused because i said the timing belt was an early failure. He asked me what I was going to do if the water pump started to leak. I told him if that happens before 100K, Honda would have to pay to take the engine apart again. Was I right in telling him this?? I understand now that the Honda water pump is internal, I was basing most of my experience on American cars that have external water pumps, that I have never had a problem with. How do you know if your water pump is going bad with a Honda?? Does this happen often?? Who has had theirs replaced before 100K and why did you get it replaced. I'm starting to get a little paranoid now wondering about this.

 

When you had the belts done, you should have insisted they change the water pump as well for just the cost of the pump itself (about 80.00), because they only need to take 4 bolts and a gasket out to get the pump out (they were already in there). I don't think I know what happens when the pump goes, since it's always (99.995% of the time) changed when you do the belts. I don't know anyone with a Honda who had their water pumps leak or go bad. Even if the car has 200,000 miles on it, the pump has been changed twice with the belts.

 

Thanks Fastball,

Yeah, they told me they'd replace the water pump for "just an additional $500". They told me the timing bel maintenance "package" was usually a $900 job.
I've just gotten new tires, new pads and rotor on the front and had the coolant flushed and changed (also got the clutch master cyl replaced). I've got 75K on my car now and I'm hoping to do nothing else but oil and filter change until I'm over the 100K mark.


Mine is a 2000 crystal blue 5 speed too!! I wonder how many crystal blues were imported??

 

Jesus, you had your clutch master cylinder replaced? Do you drop it at redline at every light? Man, my clutch is still perfect with 85k on it. Sweet color, though, isn't it? I fell in love when I noticed it looks blue in some shades, silver in others, gray in others...... just depends on how the light hits it. Where do you live? I know in the Cleveland area I am only one of two CBM Preludes. I actually was shopping in June of 1999 and had one held when the dealer it was at sold it from under my dealer. They were sold out completely in the mid-west at that point..... my dealer even showed me the stock lists from 7 states, not one CBM 5 speed. I was supposed to get a 99 CBM but wound up getting a 2000 in December of 99. I was happy, got a great deal.