i have a 1990 civic hatchback 1.5L . SO i was driving down the road when engine stalled. It didn't kick or anything, it just stopped. I was very low on oil but I'm pretty sure the engine didn't seize because the belt is still turning when i try to start it. I tested the alternator and it works. When i try to start it, it doesn't turn over fully. It just makes a vvvvvv sound. i took off the distributor form my block and tried turning it over again and noticed that the camshaft wasn't turning. I need some suggestions about what might be wrong...

 

Is your timing belt still in one piece? Pull the cover off and look.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mycarisdead &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> i took off the distributor form my block and tried turning it over again and noticed that the camshaft wasn't turning</TD></TR></TABLE>

you broke a timing belt. sounds like the motor is done. sorry.

 

i took off the cover and the block cover and timing belt cover. the belt is still in one piece. any other suggestions?

 

The belt isnt cracked or aything but move over a little so it was like 3/4 of the way on. would that matter?

 

with the timing belt cover off, turn the motor over. does the cam spin? (before, you said it did not) it is possible for the belt to be on and look good, yes the teeth are sheared.

 

so i did what you said and tried starting again. The timeing belt turned and the camshaft didn't. but when the cover is off the timing belt comes off a little more everytime. I think the sprocket that turns the timing belt might not be on tight enough but I'm afraid that if i tighten it, i will throw off my timing. any suggestions?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mycarisdead &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so i did what you said and tried starting again. The timeing belt turned and the camshaft didn't. but when the cover is off the timing belt comes off a little more everytime. I think the sprocket that turns the timing belt might not be on tight enough but I'm afraid that if i tighten it, i will throw off my timing. any suggestions?</TD></TR></TABLE>
well the timeing is already off, seeing that half of your motor is turning and the other is not. I would just get another motor. It will be cheaper and easier then trying to figure out the prob and fixing it. Timing belts change outs are like 250, plus what ever else. You can get another d series for like 400

 

i can tell you take all your car problems to a mechanic. I just want to know the problem so i can fix it myslef...not buy a new engine. Do you think i actually have money

 

No, hes telling you your motor is most likely garbage. If the timing belt **** the bed, at least one of your cylinders is stuck with the exhaust or intake valves extended, and with you trying to start the car so many times, most likely you slapped the valves and ruined at least one piston, and that set of valves, in which case you have a bad cylinder in which case your motor is junk. I dont know if with stock lift/deck height if you can slap a valve head, but I'm sure its possible. If you want to fix it yourself, I'd start with determining why the cam wont turn, which we've already told you is either a broken belt or a belt with teeth sheered off. We arent physically there, so now its up to you to diagnose the problem further.