rotorheadjess

My timing belt skipped about 2 notches when the belt tensioner failed. I replaced the belt and tensioner. It runs, but i have convinced myself that the valvetrain is making more noise than before. So i checked the valve lash. All the valves are within factory spec. Do I need to have my head rebuilt?

giovannie23

probably a bent valve happens on these engines when ur timing belt jumps a tooth try a compression test and if its good just adjust ur vlves

Daddyo 438

same thing happened to my '04 civic. this is second time tensioner spring failed. I noticed the timing was off. The car still ran good but throwing a P0172 code. Pulled the front cover and noticed belt had skipped but ECM able to compensate. In the process, now, of changing belt and tensioner. First time tensioner spring failed I replaced all 16 valves. Hoping this time I dodged the bullet. Replacing valves is pretty straight forward but you may as well replace all of them.

rotorheadjess

Thanks Daddyo! I got away with one this time. I put the original tensioner back on and it has been running like a champ ever since.

Daddyo 438

Glad to hear of your success. I just finished mine and it seems I also got away lucky. New timing belt and tensioner and needed a new lower cover because when the spring failed it fell to the bottom of the cover and was jammed down there eating away the plastic as the crank spun. One important note: I checked the pin where the tensioner spring is anchored and found it was worn with pretty sharp corners on a flat spot. I suspect this is why my tensioner failed TWICE. I replaced it and would recommend changing this any time you change the tensioner. Honda calls it a "bolt". I will post a pic when I can. .

timmbo

I have seen aftermarket tensioner fail becuase of the brass insert the spring eventually pulls right thru it. The oem and some aftermarket use the hard plastic bushing for the spring attachment to the tensioner pulley.

Daddyo 438

hey timmbo, that is exactly what happened the first time mine failed. I was replacing the original at 100k mi just as a precaution along with the new belt. I used aftermarket parts and like you said, the tensioner wore through where the spring is attached and let go. That one cost me 16 valves. The second time it was the spring perch that wore out and caused the spring to break! Got lucky, though, no valve damage. Everything has been replaced with Honda factory parts now. Costs alot more but hopefully the end of my timing belt woes.