here is the story as short as possible:
i recently had my timing belt replaced (under warranty-you know the
one) on my 5th gen prelude.

when i first took it home from the garage there was this rattling
noise as if something were in the engine and hitting the cover. i have
ruled out there being an object in the engine itself, for it is only
now that the sound is worse than in the beginning. now that i try to
remember it the sound is like a rattling and tapping.

i shook the header heatshield pretty good and it is not loose.

the sound occurs during the first initial start, but seems to lessen
as the engine gets hot. but i know what ever happens is always
happening, heat has something to do with lessening the noise(metal
must be expanding).

i am certain it is not the exhaust heatshield toward the rear of the
car. so what are the other possibilities as to why this happens?

i hope i get a response, if not happy holidays...

jakob

 

If it's kinda a tapping sound? How long since your valves were adjusted? I'm assuming that they probably did a valve adjustment when they changed your timing belt, perhaps they were adjusted improperly. HTH

 

Chris93si...THANK YOU!

that is a good point you brought up, i don't know if they did one!!!
DAMN, i can't believe I didn't bother to ask that question DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!

most likely that is the prolem, i usually do my own valve adjustments with only the measuring device, a screw driver, and a socket wrench. i did one BEFORE i got the timing belt and autotensioner replaced, I don't know why i didn't bother to ask them whether they did an adjustment what was I not thinking???

Do you know where I can get a tappet adjuster (the device for adjusting valves?)
I have looked everywhere for them and can't find one???

THANKS


[Modified by jakobgius, 8:10 PM 12/24/2001]

 

I have been driving around for quite some time after having my belt replaced and NOT having my valves adjusted. The noise has gone from hardly noticeable to very very loud, here are the sounds it makes:
rattling
tapping
and knocking
will there be any bad affects for driving around with badly adjusted valves for several months???

 

Have you made sure that the suto-tensioner is OK and properly adjusted. NO it is not ok to run your engine with out of spec valve lash-for any real amount of time.

 

Can someone clarify which timing belt replacement procedure is done under warranty for the 5G? Was there a recall for this? I have a 2000 and I haven't heard that the timing belt needs to be replaced.

Thanks.

 

it was a honda bulletin, not recall. dealers were instructed to fix it under warranty or under their own discretion, if this problem should arise.

in japan the timing belt and tensioner were not properly tightened.

If you vtec all the time it's safe to assume that you will also experience this problem, it's just a matter of time.

I don't vtec anymore and i get the rattling...tapping...and knocking.

I got the belt replaced at a honda dealer.

what else could the problem be aside from needing a valve adjustment???!!! does anyone know???


[Modified by jakobgius, 9:22 PM 12/25/2001]

 

I'd check to make sure the tensioner is tight. Take off your timing belt covers, or take off the valve cover and check to make sure the belt is 100% as tight as it should be. If you take the cover off the side, run the engine and rev it up and down just a little. When you let off there should be ~approx 5mm~ of defection. Anymore, and I'd take it BACK and make them do it again. That tensioner is a bitch if it's not put in 100% correctly. If it's not loaded right then it'll collapse, and then you have serious issues.

The sound of the belt slapping things will sound like a rattle, or a "knock". Easily confused with valve noise if you aren't careful.

 

Your suggestions seem correct, it's annoying having to take it back and maybe having to leave it there over night. when a dealer accepts the job they should do it correctly not half-assed.
I don't feel like going back to that dealer anymore, I was not happy with them fixing and replacing my timing belt/tensioner the half assed way they did.

 

But you must understand that mistakes happen and Honda Techs are not perfect.take it back to them and tell,show,make them listen to your concern.A reputable dealer should take care of the problem if they are at fault.Just my .02 though.