Waffleblues

Hello,

So I've tried all I can think of (I'm not particularly great with cars) to try and fix my CR-V, no luck.

I have a 1999 CR-V, around 150k miles. My wife was driving it home a few days ago and hit an area on the interstate where the road had buckled from the heat (She said it was a massive pot hold, going around 70), about 5 miles later she told me the car felt like it down shifted and then no more gas and car died.

I know the car is getting fuel pressure (I tested this first).

The car is not getting sparks. Up to this point I've done the following:

Installed a new rotor, coil and distributor cap.
Installed a new "Igniter" or Control Module.

I used a light test and no matter what, nothing after the igniter is getting power. The strange thing is, when I hold the light test up to the negative wire on the control module, it stays lit up rather than blinking (which is what I'm told its supposed to do...?)

Anyway, any other help would be greatly appreciated, any ideas of where to go next. I fear I've about reached my ability, but would be willing to try something else.

Thanks!

OneBadTurboCRV

Is this CRV automatic or manual transmission? It may make a difference...

The only part that throws me for a loop is that it kept driving. That part just isn't adding up for me.

What happens when you try to start it? You didn't say if it's turning over and just not getting spark or if it doesn't do anything with the key. Is everything in order when the idiot lights come on? Does the CEL go off after a few seconds? What lights stay on? The more information the better, well useful info that is...

Waffleblues

Hi


Thank you for the reply!


First - Yes, the engine cranks, but doesn't "pop".


It is an Automatic transmission.


So, this morning I took the valve cover off to look at the timing belt. When I had my wife crank the car the timing belt does not turn. I know this is a bad sign. ugh. I did not have time to look at the lower camshaft sprocket (I think this is what it's called), but the camshaft and top sprocket also did not move. Car will crank and crank and nothing is moving (I also know this may have done more damage to the engine, but at this point, I'm not sure it matters).

I should add though, that the timing belt appeared in good condition (this is just a quick glance before I had to head to work), it had been replaced a few years back at its 100k mileage. Again though, I just got the top valve cover off, so couldn't see the bottom part of the timing belt.

It's hard to get a clear picture of what exactly happened from my wife, but it sounds like she hit a big pothole, and a few miles later the car died.


Everything is in order when the idiot lights come on.


I ran a scanner on it and the only code that came up with Catalytic Converter.


At this point I'm thinking it is something with the crankshaft/timing belt (I know, probably obvious to you guys, but anything on the engine is new territory for me). I'm also thinking it's probably a situation where the engine sustained significant damage (this happened at ~70 mph) and then me trying to crank the engine, thinking it was an ignition or fuel pump issue early on.

OneBadTurboCRV

There would be two camshaft sprockets (top two), a water pump sprocket (reward / right in picture), timing belt tensioner (middle), and crankshaft sprocket (bottom). I have linked someone's picture that should give you a better idea what you are looking at.



OK - So, I have a wild random guess that actually kinda makes sense. The ONLY reason I came to this semi-farfetched conclusion is your Catalytic Conveter code. So please bear with me on this one.

My theory is your cat was already on its way out. They tend to melt or plug sections of the "honeycomb" structure inside them. Pieces tend to break off in clumps while fused together. (Catalytic Converter failures are actually somewhat common on these vehicles typically due to misadjusted valves.) So when she hit the massive pothole, it possibly broke the entire honeycomb clogging the exhaust. This led to superheating the exhaust manifold leading to eventual engine choking. Repeated attempts to restart the vehicle in rapid succession led to hydrolocking the engine with fuel. Once the hydrolocking happened valves were possibly bent and teeth were stripped from the timing belt. Which leads us to your current state.

I know it may seem like a crazy run of events, but I have seen some crazy stuff happen LOL! I haven't been working on Hondas very long (only since 2001) but it's definitely a logical summation in my opinion.

So, there are a few things you can do from here and really depends on how involved you want to get. Personally, I would just cut the belt and pull it out. See if it's missing teeth. If it is (which I am sure it is assuming the belt isn't loose) then I would pull all the rockers off the valves (maybe even cams) and look at all the valve spring retainers to be at the same height. Also pay special attention for springs that are leaning. This will give you better insight as to what is going on.

A leak-down test will also give a better picture if you have the equipment, but what I listed above is the simple minimal tool approach. At this point you are correct, for the most part you can't do any more damage AS LONG AS you don't try and rotate the camshafts! You can also try to disconnect the exhaust at the catalytic converter and see what's going on in there. If you are unsure, post pictures and I will be happy to give you my honest opinion.

Runnerdown

Every time I have seen a timing belt failure on these the belt breaks the teeth off around the crank sprocket.

Onebad, you know your stuff but I thinks it's a bit early to jump to such a far fetched conclusion!