Rotting Prelude

So I had my timing belt changed a few weeks ago ever since I have had this awful rattling noise coming from my distributor which from what I have read is most likely being caused by a loose timing belt. I think the tensioner was not set properly or something. I had it done by a friend who is out of the state for the next few months, so I cant have him come and tighten it i talked to him on the phone and he also said the belt might be loose. Other than the noise it runs great, better than it did before it seems. I have put close to 1000 miles on while it has been making this noise and well it still works but now im getting worried. Is it hard to tighten the belt? What is involved? Im no mechanic but I can pull the valve cover and timing belt cover off and tighten a few bolts if need be. Car is a 1994 honda prelude Si H23A1.

holmesnmanny

Set the car to tdc. Turn the crank using a 19mm socket so that the camshaft moves 3 teeth. Loosen the adjusting bolt about a half a turn.

Tighten the adjusting bolt. Don't go nuts on tightening it since bearings sit behind it, just tighten it about 38 ft/lbs, if you know how much that is.

There are springs that will tension the belts automatically when you loosen the adjusting bolt.

That's it, you're done.

snobordboy

Since it has been running, you could try just loosening and tightening the adjuster bolt, it may be all it needs. Otherwise do the procedure as laid out here, although I wouldn't worry about starting at tdc. Just rotate the crank counter clockwise about 20 degrees then loosen and tighten the adjusting bolt, since it's hard to count teeth with the covers on.

motoxxxman

first and foremost, what year and engine do you have?