Hi, i'm new to this site. I searched through the 99% of your questions answered here thread, and didn't find what I was looking for, I might have overlooked it. But anyways a couple questions.

My body is actually a 94 prelude SI, the Engine is actually a JDM H22A from a 95 import.

My questions are this:

1. When turning on the vehicle, there is a grinding noise, similiar to metal on metal. Once the vehicle warms up it is gone. I made the assumption it might be power steering, but anyone know a more pinpoint solution to this? I thought maybe rack and pinion went due to the guy I got it from using no name power steering fluid instead of honda ps fluid.

2. While the car is idling there is a whine. Similiar to when the car is in reverse. When driving it gets louder. I was thinking one of the bearings is bad in a pulley, possibly even the idler, not 100% sure. Any expert know what might cause this?

3. Im looking to remove the alternator, but I can't the spot to release the tension on the belt. No store has the Haynes Manual, and online searching is leading me no where. Anyone willing to help please?

 

I cant help with the first 2 questions, but the alt I kno well XD. There are 3 bolts that you have to loosen to release the tension on that belt. If you stand at the front of the car, there should be a 10mm Bolt visible, that is the last one you use to release the tension. There is also a 14mm Bolt, and a 12mm Bolt that have to be loosened before the alt will move. The 12mm Bolt will be behind the 10mm Adjustment Bolt at the front, it guides the alt and its tension. The 14mm Bolt was I think just under the P/s pump. If you follow the alt bracket from the left, while looking at it from the front bumper, you will see the end of the bolt, follow that and you will find the end of it. If this didnt help, let me kno, I can try to explain it better, or I can try to get pics to show you where the bolts are.

 

Thank you Enzo for the help with the Alternator.

Found out the solution to this problem. It was 2 things. First is that the guy who did the swap, pinched the hose running to the reservoir, not allowing enough fluid to flow into the pump, so I used a vacuum line extender and extended and ran it around the cruise control module. Second would be that he used Valuecraft power steering fluid. When I removed the hose from the reservoir it poured out bright red. Honda Power Steering fluid is generally clear. I knew right away, so I emptied as much as I could and refilled with Honda Power Steering fluid. Both of which make it so there is no more grinding noise. - All Done

The whine a mechantic friend thinks might be the timing belt. Have yet to fix that. - Still in Progress

Now for my next question, I changed the rear brake caliper, and bled the brakes. The pedal is rock hard when the car is off, when I turn it on, and hit the brake it drops straight to the floor and doesn't stop. I was thinking it might be the power booster? Also when the car is on, and I hit the brake, the RPM's raise to about 2000 while holding the break and drop back down after the pedal is released. Did not do it before changing the caliper and rotors. Anyone have any ideas? Thank you as always for the insight and help.

 

Ive always used the purplish red generic crap in my power steering and have never had an issue..

i would say its your booster... mine just happened to go out while i was going down a large bridge... and the light turned red at the bottom of the bridge... and my ebrake barely works.. that was a fun day i came about 2 inches away with ebrake as far as it would go haha.

Hmm the RPM raise i dont have an answer for... i know steering will pop the RPM's up just a tad but not sure about the brakes.

 

Sorry - just saw that you found some of the problem after I posted..... but here is the info anyway.


I would take the two belts (A/C and Power Steering, Alternator belt.) off. Highly likely, you are right and it is power steering, but it could be bushing in the alternator as well.

Both power steering and alternator are EASY to remove compared to older cars that you have to use a pry bar and three hands.

Just loosen the top and bottom bolts on each unit (see picture 21). The power steering has a bolt on top that has a "set nut" on it. Loosen the set nut and then back the screw out to loosen the belt.

The Alt. has a bolt on the top rear and bottom rear to loosen. In picture 23, you see two bolts together facing the front of the car. Loosen the one closer to the driver side.

 

Thank you for the helpful diagram and insight.

I know Honda uses a special mineral based power steering fluid. The combination of cleaning the fluid and removing the pinch on the line, has caused the awkward grinding to stop.

As for the brakes, I am hoping it's just a vacuum leak in the brake lines (it rained mid day, causing me to have to leave it unattended for a short duration, so the line pretty much emptied my brake fluid). I can record the RPM gauge as I hit the brake line with my girlfriends camera, as it is rather wierd. I am going to finish the other caliper today, and see if bleeding all 4 brakes gets rid of the issue. Would anyone have a tip to removing the flat head screw on the e-brake metal slab? It has 2 bolts that attaches it to the caliper, and a pin that holds it to the slab that bolts on where the spring is. That pin is flat head on top and has a little hole and a pin through it on the other side. I tried removing it, but as it's rusty and such a small gap for the flathead, it's going to strip the slot for the screwdriver if I apply to much force?

Also, Duanes are referring to the whine that it's making? And thank you for the diagram. I can record the whine so you can hear it if you'd like?

 

honda power steering fluid should not be clear, it should be red ish

 

the advanced auto red bottle of power steering works perfectly been using for 4 years no problems at all

 

that red stuff worked for me

 

The belt whining sound might be because your belt is either on to tight or not tight enough. Thats why when you put a new belt on you put it on the turn car on for a few mins then check the tension again. Try messing with the belts and seeing if the belts are in bad shape.


try taking off a belt to ps then seeing if makes the noise. if not you narrowed it down.

Hopefully this helped. If i was getting to what you where asking?