petrv

I probably figured out my problem with noise going form timing belt area after the timing belt change. I was not alone with this problem, more people have these problems.

I knew (and many people told this to me) that when I loose my timing belt, the noise stops, but I was worried about vibrations that the belt made when the engine was running. Today, I made some videos with my and my friend's lude to ask you about it.

Here are the vids:

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Original state, with the tensioner set according to the Helms, the noise is still present:
engine running - no vibrations
belt slack with piston #1 at TDC - looks pretty tight

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Loosened belt, so the noise has gone:
engine running - the noise has gone, but notice the vibrations at some engine speed. Is this ok?
belt slack with piston #1 at TDC - looks unchanged
maximum belt slack - I tried to rotate the crank and find the position with maximum slack - here it is. Looks loose.

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I was really confused, so I called my friend with the same lude (H22 4G), but still with the auto tensioner, so the results should be the right ones.
engine running - the vibrations look exactly the same as mine
belt slack with piston #1 at TDC - looks same as mine.
maximum belt slack - again same as mine.

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So, I hope the vibrations are OK, what do you think? Can I drive with this belt slack and vibrations? Or is this slack not normal?

JG Luder

That amount of deflection is probably within spec. It's ok to have some slack.

When it's "loose," it doesn't slide on the cam sprockets any does it? If not, then my unprofessional opinion would be it's ok. It looked about like any timing belt I've seen.

Having a Honda certified Tech look at it probably couldn't hurt.

4bidden

Wow....thats a tricky one.

I have the same type of problem with the H23 tensioner but that vibration doesnt put me at ease if thats what it takes to make it go away. Even if its supposed to be like that, it doesnt look good.

With that said, you're probably fine with it looser.

petrv

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lone Luder &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When it's "loose," it doesn't slide on the cam sprockets any does it? If not, then my unprofessional opinion would be it's ok. It looked about like any timing belt I've seen.</TD></TR></TABLE>

So you saw other timing belts with this vibrations and it is ok? If so, I'm really glad . The belt stays in its position, it doesnt fall from the pulleys.

JG Luder

I've jumped more timing belts in here alone than most of you combined. LOL

Deflection should be between 5-10mm if I remember correctly. That looks about right from where I sit, but it's hard to tell from a video.

petrv

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lone Luder &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've jumped more timing belts in here alone than most of you combined. LOL</TD></TR></TABLE>
I can see your 18,000 posts

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lone Luder &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Deflection should be between 5-10mm if I remember correctly. That looks about right from where I sit, but it's hard to tell from a video.</TD></TR></TABLE>

So the belt with NO deflection while the engine is running is over tightened? There should be always some deflection?

JG Luder

I'm not going to say "always" or "never" because those words just don't work well with cars.

Most belts have some play, yes. It keeps them from being too tight, having too much stress and breaking.

petrv

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lone Luder &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Most belts have some play, yes. It keeps them from being too tight, having too much stress and breaking.</TD></TR></TABLE>

When the auto tensioner is faulty, the vibrations and slack is even more? I've heard about some rattling sounds, but what is the slack with the faulty tensioner? It should be even bigger?

petrv

I would like to add that there are no vibrations on other timing belt parts - only between exhaust camshaft and the crankshaft.

94vtecmn

When/if your auto tensioner is bad, at least for mine, it sounded like someone was shaking a coffee can half full of marbles under the hood. Not good, and very obvious, and it was all of a sudden.

yellow_jacket

I would think that the reason you can't see any vibrations on the intake side is because the water pump is so close and so you have less room for it to vibrate. Without having my hands on the belt, it is tough to say if the tension is right. Just measure the deflection.

petrv

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94vtecmn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When/if your auto tensioner is bad, at least for mine, it sounded like someone was shaking a coffee can half full of marbles under the hood. Not good, and very obvious, and it was all of a sudden.</TD></TR></TABLE>

So we can say that faulty auto tensioner is the edge, when the timing belt doesn't jump a teeth, but make noise like hell? If yes, I am probably far from this point, because the sound with this "loose" timing belt is excelent, really nice.