Rotting Prelude

I just did a timing belt, water pump, and tensioners on my 1994 honda prelude si H23A1 and afterwards it seems to have developed quite a bit of noise from under the valve cover especially when the engine is cold. It sounds like the valves are way out of adjustment. I have drove the car about 100 miles since out of necessity and it runs fine better if anything power is still there. But this noise is scaring me, doesn't sound healthy at all lots of rattling and ticking. Anyway doing the timing belt could screw up the valve adjustment? Other possibilities? I appreciate any help.

Noise its making: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1gg...nnel=VoxNihili

thirsk66

iTrader: (2)

Your timing is off or your valves are out of adjustment. Just do the easy thing first and adjustyour valves.

snobordboy

First thing I would do, is recheck that the timing belt is actually lined up properly at TDC. if you have a tooth off somewhere, it could make a bit of noise, or a lot of noise... if you have hit valves then the adjustment won't make much of a difference. When in there, obviously double check that the tension on the belt is correct.

If timing is perfect, then yes check the valve adjustment.

Rotting Prelude

I checked and from what I can tell timing is dead on. Car runs great and does not show any symptoms other than this damn noise of the timing being off. I made a video of the noise I will link it below you can hear it clearly when I let off the throttle 15 seconds in. Its very inconsistent almost sounds like a rock or something is rattling around in there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1gg...nnel=VoxNihili

snobordboy

Sounds like a loose belt flapping around under the timing cover. ensure that both timing belt and balancer belt are tight to spec. Easiest quick check is pull the covers off and twist the belt with your fingers, should be able to get around 90 degrees on the longest run of the belt. Do it when the engine is warm if you can, to ensure the belt has stretched any that it is going to stretch.

Tight-R

To me it sounds like it's a heat shield or something vibrating.

Rotting Prelude

I found the source of the noise its 100% coming from the distributor I can hear it clearly with a screwdriver held up to my ear. Im about to pull the cap off to see if anythings loose.

S2k@9K

iTrader: (3)

Hello, I may be quite late to respond. But, I'm going to post anyways for anyone scouring the internet for answers as I do.

I did the timing belt/water pump etc... on my B16 a few months back.

I had the same issue, rattling sound coming from distributor/intake cam area after I got everything installed. Long story short, when I took the timing cover back off, I noticed the lower arm on the timing belt tensioner (opposite of the spring) had come off of the peg meant to hold it and it was trapped under it.

My manual states to only loosen it 180 degrees, before setting tension on the belt. I know for a fact I loosened it more than 180*, not thinking that would be enough to cause any issues. It did. After resetting everything correctly, no more rattle sound.

I read a lot of threads on the matter, while it was down and it seems to be a recurring theme after a timing belt/water pump change.

If you have this issue after doing a timing belt install, the tensioner would be the first place to check, IMO.