Im needing some help. Just got a carburated 88 accord from my father-inlaw. Said quit running and the shop he took it to told him it was a belt. Well, was alot more than a belt. Found the cam gear falling off the cam. Cam had split in half on the end where the bolt attaches gear. Anyone had this happen? Cam still turned, not locked up.

I've got tore apart and am ordering parts. Need some advice. The car has 200K. Cylinder walls look very good. I've got a rebuilt head coming with a new sprocket. I plan on replacing water pump(because of age), timing belt, and idler. I was wondering if I should replace the oil pump also since the timing belt runs around it?

Also, the lower cover has rubbed through from the crank pulley. Any good source for a new cover instead of dealer?

Thats it for now. My first timing belt and trying not to miss something. Mainly wondering about replacing the oil pump.

Thanks

 

Sounds like you've pretty much covered as far as buttoning it up, but there's a little detective work you might want to do before you fire it up.
Usually, a cam doesn't wait until 200,000 miles to break from defects in materials. At that milage something caused it to break, usually oil starvation; either from blockage (clogged oil returns), pressure loss (worn pump) or starvation (pump pick-up problems). It actually causes the cam to sieze in the head.
If you still have the old head, pull the camshaft retainer assemblies and inspect the journals that support the cam. They should be polished smooth, with no scoring. The head itself should be clear of deposits (a gold or the color of oil) not black.

the oil pump and pick-up may not be a bad idea.

P

edited for spelling


Modified by P_Adams at 6:50 AM 9/21/2005

 

Yeah, I was goin to go out later tonight and pull oil pump, take a look. The cam still turned, so just assumed it hadn't seized. I'll pull the cam caps and take a look. There was plenty of oil on top of the head. Nothing appearance wise looked fishy. Coco brown, no signs of overheating and cooking oil.

Is it very common for cam to break/seize? How about oil pump failures?

 

I've only seen 3 cams sieze. Two (2) Toyotas' and one 2.0l Ford in 1972.
That's why I'm making the suggestions that I am, It's pretty rare.

I'd be curious.

P

 

I would go ahead and do the oil pump since it is going to be easier to do it now and you won't have to worry about any problems coming from it in the future. If you don't replace it at least pull it off and inspect it since gaskets are cheap and you have the room to do it with out having to pull everything off to get to it. To get more great info on the 3rd gen accord come join 3GEEZ, it is a forum for the 86 to 89 honda accord.

 

Nope, cam had not seized up. Pulled cam off tonight and everything looked nice and mirror shinny. Cam just decided to split where the key is. About 1/4 of the cam end broke off where the gear attaches. I will probably just replace the oil pump anyway. I've spent enough money, whats another 70 bucks.

Still wondering if someone has a line on getting a lower timing cover....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by badmrb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nope, cam had not seized up. Pulled cam off tonight and everything looked nice and mirror shinny. Cam just decided to split where the key is. About 1/4 of the cam end broke off where the gear attaches. I will probably just replace the oil pump anyway. I've spent enough money, whats another 70 bucks.

Still wondering if someone has a line on getting a lower timing cover....</TD></TR></TABLE>

did someone do a timing belt or cam seal recently??? sounds like someone left the cam pulley bolt loose .........

 

Timing belt was done over 50K ago. Its possible the bolt lossened. I'm not sure even if it did loosen that would cause the cam end to break apart.

I think I'll replace the crank oil seal as well. Anyone put any kind of sealant on the outside of seal or just putting them in dry?