I have a 2000 prelude with 90,000 miles on it. this weekend i was driving and it started making a rattle noise. I pulled over and cut it off. When i tried to crank it back up it wouldn't start and it sounded like the starter was sticking. I got i towed home and took the valve cover off. I noticed the timing belt wasn't as tight as it should be. I took it to the shop and they told the the belt was fine it was just the tensioner. What do you guys think the chances of it bending valves would be.

 

Your valves should be fine, as long as belt doesn't snap!

 

it didn't snap but the tensioner went completly out and the marks on the pulleys are far from what its supposed to be

 

replace the tensioner, and do a timing belt service while you're at it. i've seen this problem 3 or 4 times before. as a matter of fact, there was a 98 prelude in the shop 2 weeks ago with an engine noise.. turned out to be the tensioner.
btw, it's not the easiest part to replace. if you're not a somewhat experienced mechanic, pay someone to do it.

 

ever thought about converting it to a manual tensioner? lesser chance to fail

 

Yeah, there putting on a new timing belt but do you think the valves are bent?

 

nah, but do you have any experience doing this timing belt job?