WaryDriver

Civic 98 DX, D16Y7, EJ6

Please correct my procedures, thoughts, and give me any tips so I dont install the new timing belt incorrectly. Ive never done this.

I removed the harmonic balancer, upper and lower timing belt covers, and so now I can remove the old belt. I can see and access crankshaft gear(low), camshaft gear (very top), and water pump gear.

I'm concerned about me putting the new belt on and it being off by a groove or tooth somewhere in the path that the belt runs on. Being off by a groove/valley or tooth/bevel in the cam, crank, or water pump gear would throw the timing off it seems. I do not know if the old belt was installed perfectly either but my car seemed to run perfectly before. I could just paint markings on the old belt and gears then put those markings on new belt, Right? My car seemed to run perfectly before this so I might just do the markings in case gear(s) spin when removing the old belt.

Next step after painting the markings on the old belt and gears is to turn the center tensioner bolt 180 degrees CCW. Then the old belt has slack to come right out? Or do I have to push on the tensioner on the side where the belt is hitting for it to give slack? I don't want to break the tensioner pushing on it or something wrong since i dont have a new one. Ive broken enough things getting to this step that Ive had to go to junkyard way off for replacing.

Then after new belt is put on in rightfully positioned according to the matched markings on the new belt and gears.. Do i just torque that tensioner center bolt to 44 N*m and the correct tension will be placed on the new belt by torquing to that torque spec? How does the tensioner provide the correct belt tension??

Then, Turn the crankshaft 5-6 times CCW to see the belt is working, and then the job is done?? I dont want to reassemble engine and then have to unassemble again. So I want to make sure the job is done correctly.

I am not replacing tensioner even though its recommended i dont have the part and want to chance it.

tony_2018

Check the "how to" section for timing belt replacement.

Its recommended that you replace all main components in that area when replacing the timing belt: tensioner w/new spring, water pump, cam seals and oil pump seal .

TomCat39

A couple of details. The water pump gear has absolutely nothing to do with mechanical timing. As long as the belt fits into the gear teeth, it's golden.

Second is, position of the belt itself is irrelevant. putting any kind of marking on the belt itself is bad.

The only "critical" areas is the cam gear timing marks and the crank gear timing marks.

Simply, if all you do is loosen the tensioner, take the belt off, don't turn a single thing. The new belt should slide on and the car will be in the exact same mechanical timing it was before removal.

However, what we all do normally is to turn the crank counter clockwise until the crank pulley lone white TDC mark is in the sites, the "up" on the cam gear is pointed up or at the top of the gear, then we pull the pulley and lower timing belt cover off, loosen tensioner, pull belt off, slide new belt on, do the tensioning procedure, lock the tensioner, then two full revolutions CCW and double check mechanical timing with the crank gear and cam gear all per FSM.

Then put the rest of it back together.

I too suggest you hop into the FAQ sticky and find the timing belt section. It will explain a lot.

As for changing or not changing the tensioner, my Honda Tech (over 25 years experience) told me he rarely needs to change them so as long as it spins freely and quietly, you should be fine.

tony_2018

Well.........there's also the "How to" section at the top of the forum....

TomCat39

Isn't that the FAQ sticky? Lemme look.

tony_2018

wth, it doesn't have a "how to" for timing belt replacement. ABORT ABORT

DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE STICKY FAQ AT THE TOP OF THIS FORUM.

TomCat39

I never noticed the how-to button at the top of the forums... Interesting.

And yes it does have a timing belt water pump how to.

92-00, power train, engine, timing belt and water pump.

Honda Civic How to Replace Timing Belt and Water Pump - Honda-Tech

Or section H in the FAQ sticky:

h. Timing Belt and Valve Train
Removing a B-series cylinder head
D-Series Engine Head Codes
Timing Belt & Water Pump on D16Z6 (good generic write-up)
Timing Belt & Water Pump on 96-00 D-series Engine
Removing The Crank Pulley
92-95 Civics - Mechanical Timing
96-00 Civics - SOHC Mechanical Timing
96-00 Civics - DOHC Mechanical Timing
D16Z6 Valve Lash Adjustment
B16a2 Valve Lash/Clearance Adjustment (diagrams)
B-Series Valve Adjustment
B16 vs B18 Heads (Airflow) Explained
Replacing Valves, Valve Springs, and Retainers (with pics)
Replacing DOHC VTEC Valves, Valve Springs, and Retainers
Camshaft & Valve Spring Install on VTEC D-Series motors
Identifying DOHC VTEC Cams
How to Identify a VTEC Engine
VTEC Explained
VTEC & How It Works
Wiring VTEC In 92-95 Civics w/o VTEC
VTEC Troubleshooting
VTEC Solenoid Inspection for 96-00 Civics

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

why wouldn't you replace the tensioner? a hx i am working on has its belt flopping all over the place because the p/o thought he would be smart and save $50