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Car won't start - timing belt and water pump?

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Old 11-30-2005, 05:20 AM
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Default Car won't start - timing belt and water pump?

My car won't start. It seemed like I wasn't getting a spark, so I replaced my plugs. Still won't fire up. A guy at work told me it's probably my timing belt since I've never replaced it and I'm at 90,000+ miles. I started reading up and learned that you should replace the water pump at the same time you replace the timing belt.

Now here's my question....where can I buy a replacement OEM timing belt and water pump?

PS - I should have known it wasn't my plugs since I just replaced them and the wires last summer.

Thanks
Old 11-30-2005, 05:31 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (eurodeseo)

Try the Acura Dealership or Len for a OEM timing belt and waterpump.
Old 11-30-2005, 05:32 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (98 Spec R)

The dealership is probably gonna rape me. I'm scared to call.
Old 11-30-2005, 05:33 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (eurodeseo)


Baranco Acura (request to be transferred to the parts department)

Toll Free Line : 1 (800) 672 - 0881

If you have no spark, then I would suggest looking into the distributor or one of its internal components as the root cause.
Old 11-30-2005, 05:37 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (eurodeseo)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eurodeseo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The dealership is probably gonna rape me. I'm scared to call.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Call Len (that's his HT username, do a search for topics created by him and find his sponsor one) for pricing.

However, the fact that your car won't start is not likely linked to the fact that you need to replace the belt. Now if the belt is broken, then sure, it won't start (and you may mess something up depending on cam position when it broke, but it's not likely to be broken if it was driving when you shut it down then just wouldn't start).

What exactly is the car doing when it tries to start? Are you positive that the starter and battery are both good? If so, check for spark using the screwdriver method, if that's all good check for fuel.

If you first want to make sure that the timing belt is not broken, take off the valve cover and check.
Old 11-30-2005, 05:45 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (Dave-ROR)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Call Len (that's his HT username, do a search for topics created by him and find his sponsor one) for pricing.

However, the fact that your car won't start is not likely linked to the fact that you need to replace the belt. Now if the belt is broken, then sure, it won't start (and you may mess something up depending on cam position when it broke, but it's not likely to be broken if it was driving when you shut it down then just wouldn't start).

What exactly is the car doing when it tries to start? Are you positive that the starter and battery are both good? If so, check for spark using the screwdriver method, if that's all good check for fuel.

If you first want to make sure that the timing belt is not broken, take off the valve cover and check.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm car retarded, so bear w/ me.

Monday, the car started up. A little hesistant to start, made me think it was due to the cold. I drove it work. Then back home. Tuesday morning it wouldn't start.

When I try to start the car everything goes as normal except for the fact that it doesn't fire up. When I stop and try again a couple of times, then it just does nothing, like the battery is dead.

I can smell the gas when I'm messing w/ the plugs. I'm not sure how to use the screwdriver method to check for spark, but I have a few car buddies that I'm sure know how. I'm trying to get in touch w/ them.

What does a starter that goes out sound like? A couple of times I've got a grinding noise after it failed to start, but that was only like 3 times out of 15.
Old 11-30-2005, 05:47 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (eurodeseo)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eurodeseo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
What does a starter that goes out sound like? A couple of times I've got a grinding noise after it failed to start, but that was only like 3 times out of 15. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Depends.. I've had them click and I've had them do nothing.

Have you tried to jump start the car? Is this the original battery? If so you got lucky it lasted 4 years.. mine lasted about 3.5. Similiar problems, took longer to start for a few days then it clicked a few times when trying to start then nothing.
Old 11-30-2005, 05:58 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (Dave-ROR)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Depends.. I've had them click and I've had them do nothing.

Have you tried to jump start the car? Is this the original battery? If so you got lucky it lasted 4 years.. mine lasted about 3.5. Similiar problems, took longer to start for a few days then it clicked a few times when trying to start then nothing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is indeed the original battery. Maybe I should get a new one and try that before anything else?
Old 11-30-2005, 06:18 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (eurodeseo)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eurodeseo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

This is indeed the original battery. Maybe I should get a new one and try that before anything else? </TD></TR></TABLE>
Well I would get some jumper cables and try to jumpstart it from a friends car first, if it starts right up then replace the battery. If it still has problems then it's likely a different problem.
Old 11-30-2005, 06:52 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (eurodeseo)

There's a short test procedure in the Helm's for verifying your Starter is okay. Having had one just fail on my GSR this summer, I'm thinking that's not your issue. Usually it doesn't crank (at all) when the starter fails or cranks and starts fine when cold, but won't when hot.

Since your car cranks but struggles to fire, I'm thinking it's more ignition related. have you looked at your cap & rotor? My GSR cranked & fired slowly with the old cap & rotor. Replaced them and it started much more quickly. You can usually tell fairly easily if the contacts on the cap and/or rotor are corroded. As a temporary fix you can gently sand them, re-install and see what happens. They corrode quite quickly after that, but for a short time will indicate if that helps or doesn't help the problem.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eurodeseo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I'm car retarded, so bear w/ me.

&lt;snip&gt;

What does a starter that goes out sound like? A couple of times I've got a grinding noise after it failed to start, but that was only like 3 times out of 15. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Old 11-30-2005, 07:05 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (typer_801)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by typer_801 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There's a short test procedure in the Helm's for verifying your Starter is okay. Having had one just fail on my GSR this summer, I'm thinking that's not your issue. Usually it doesn't crank (at all) when the starter fails or cranks and starts fine when cold, but won't when hot.

Since your car cranks but struggles to fire, I'm thinking it's more ignition related. have you looked at your cap & rotor? My GSR cranked & fired slowly with the old cap & rotor. Replaced them and it started much more quickly. You can usually tell fairly easily if the contacts on the cap and/or rotor are corroded. As a temporary fix you can gently sand them, re-install and see what happens. They corrode quite quickly after that, but for a short time will indicate if that helps or doesn't help the problem.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. What exactly is my cap and rotor?
Old 11-30-2005, 07:07 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (Dave-ROR)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you first want to make sure that the timing belt is not broken, take off the valve cover and check.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This should be the first thing you do. At least if it's not broken, it will relieve your fears of head damage.
Old 11-30-2005, 07:47 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (eurodeseo)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eurodeseo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My car won't start. It seemed like I wasn't getting a spark, so I replaced my plugs. Still won't fire up. A guy at work told me it's probably my timing belt since I've never replaced it and I'm at 90,000+ miles. I started reading up and learned that you should replace the water pump at the same time you replace the timing belt.

Now here's my question....where can I buy a replacement OEM timing belt and water pump?

PS - I should have known it wasn't my plugs since I just replaced them and the wires last summer.

Thanks </TD></TR></TABLE>

http://inlinefour.com
They have timing belt kits, rotors and caps.

Old 11-30-2005, 09:06 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (Ed 341)

As ebelp has suggested, for piece of mind, look to see the condition of your timing belt. Any frays, cracks, pieces missing....anything that doesn't look good is going to warrant a replacement.

As far as your car not starting, for me I use the process of elimination ALWAYS starting with the cheapest item to replace. You said you smelled fuel so you know that your engine is getting it. You did spark plugs...now check the fuses, then the battery, next rotor, next cap, next spark plug wires etc. etc. replace as necesarry.

I would also assume that it's your battery since it's lasted that long. Just for fun with all my cars I replace them every 18 months to two years. You never know, and most of us have purchased good batteries to have them crap out on us way before they are to expire.
Old 11-30-2005, 09:39 AM
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Agreed. here's the steps I think you should take:
Oh yeah 1A. Pull off the valve cover off and check the timing belt to make sure it's at least there still
1. Try to jumpstart the car, if it starts, then it's likely the battery.
2. If it doesn't start, check for spark. If you get spark (pull out a spark plug wire off the plus, put a long screwdriver in it and put part of the metal shaft of the screwdriver near a metal/ground bolt, or remove the plug and check that way, harder to see that way IMO though), then check the starter.
3. If no spark, check fuses, cap, rotor. (the cap is the black plastic cap that covers the distributor internals where you plug the spark plug wires in on the side opposite the plugs themselves, the rotor is a black plastic "disc" under the cap that contacts "electrodes" on the cap to send the electricity to the correct spark plug wire.) If all that is fine, let us know and we can continue.

My bets at this time are:
1. Bad battery or 2. rotor came off.
Old 11-30-2005, 09:58 AM
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Default Re: (Dave-ROR)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Agreed. here's the steps I think you should take:
Oh yeah 1A. Pull off the valve cover off and check the timing belt to make sure it's at least there still
1. Try to jumpstart the car, if it starts, then it's likely the battery.
2. If it doesn't start, check for spark. If you get spark (pull out a spark plug wire off the plus, put a long screwdriver in it and put part of the metal shaft of the screwdriver near a metal/ground bolt, or remove the plug and check that way, harder to see that way IMO though), then check the starter.
3. If no spark, check fuses, cap, rotor. (the cap is the black plastic cap that covers the distributor internals where you plug the spark plug wires in on the side opposite the plugs themselves, the rotor is a black plastic "disc" under the cap that contacts "electrodes" on the cap to send the electricity to the correct spark plug wire.) If all that is fine, let us know and we can continue.

My bets at this time are:
1. Bad battery or 2. rotor came off.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for all the help. I will let you know what the problem was once I've resolved it.
Old 11-30-2005, 11:35 AM
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Default Re: (eurodeseo)

This same thing just happened to a friend.

Check all of the things that have been mentioned as well as the Distributor itself. His issue was the Igniter.
Old 11-30-2005, 12:49 PM
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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Circuit Star-29 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This same thing just happened to a friend.

Check all of the things that have been mentioned as well as the Distributor itself. His issue was the Igniter.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ignitor USUALLY is proceeded by shutting down when hot, etc before it outright fails though. Not always, but every honda one I have had fail has done so.
Old 11-30-2005, 12:50 PM
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I haven't read the whole thread but what about the main relay? Has that been mentioned yet?
Old 11-30-2005, 01:14 PM
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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I haven't read the whole thread but what about the main relay? Has that been mentioned yet?</TD></TR></TABLE>

No but that would likely effect other stuff? On my conquest when it went EVERYTHING went.
Old 11-30-2005, 03:31 PM
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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eurodeseo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Monday, the car started up. A little hesistant to start, made me think it was due to the cold. I drove it work. Then back home. Tuesday morning it wouldn't start.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Ignitor USUALLY is proceeded by shutting down when hot, etc before it outright fails though. Not always, but every honda one I have had fail has done so.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Seems like this might be the case.....
Old 11-30-2005, 03:44 PM
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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Circuit Star-29 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


Seems like this might be the case..... </TD></TR></TABLE>
Hesitant != shut down when hot. Hesitant to start is normally ignition or fuel in my experience.
Old 11-30-2005, 03:49 PM
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LOL...either way, have it checked out.
Old 11-30-2005, 03:50 PM
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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Circuit Star-29 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">LOL...either way, have it checked out.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yep, I'd still try battery first though. Mainly because it's the easiest thing to test.
Old 12-01-2005, 12:59 AM
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Default Re: Car won't start - timing belt and water pump? (ebelp)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ebelp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

This should be the first thing you do. At least if it's not broken, it will relieve your fears of head damage.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Which reminds me......John did you tighten up that timing belt yet??? you don't want it breaking in the worst of moments....


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