I'm starting my timing belt job. Now it's the first time i do this ever. I've got my Accord factory manual, all the tools, but some questions left...

I was used to check out the TDC by the camshaft marks when i did my valves adjustment..(following procedures)

Now for the timing belt job, they tell you to bring it to TDC using the crankshalft pulley marks.. I have the 98-00 manual so you only see 2 marks on the pulley. Mine has 4; here's the picture:

OEM vs Unorthodox, the marks are made the same way on both.


The one with TDC linked to it is where it came the closer. Meaning, pointing right on it, it seems that my camshaft marks are a little bit off.. From my point of view and compared to when i used to adjust the valves. Using the other marks , i'm simply off.

Would this be normal?

I removed my timing belt covers, and from what i'm seeing, the balancer shaft marks seem to line right up, and so does the others.

I'll get you guys more pictures (if any specific dont be shy to ask it's right there opened


Thanks and have a nice day

Here's a quick pic of my car

 

the single mark on the crankshaft pulley is the TDC mark.

That alone wont tell you which cylinder is at TDC though. For that, you need to use the camshaft pulley.

To make sure cylinder no.1 is at TDC make sure the "UP" is pointing up. Then the TDC marks on both the crankshaft pulley and camshaft pulley should line up to their respective alignment points at the same time.

 

the camshaft does point up, but the marks dont look perfectly aligned.. i'll try to snap a decent pic to show you

BTW Touring, your imput is really appreciated, thankx:D

 

no problem.

which way are you looking at the camshaft pulley?
Sometimes it's easier to look at the alignment marks from the motor side of the pulley. Sometimes the body of the car can get in the way of seeing the alignment marks completely. The alignment marks are located on both sides of the pulley if you weren't already aware.

 

i tried snapping some quick ones before getting back on the job.. sadly you dont see it perfectly, but it gives an idea..

with the timing cover on: (crankshaft)



camshaft pulley 1




camshaft pulley 2




balancer shaft alignment mark (there is 2 marks ; the shaft (green) and the pulley (pink) they both line up

 

yeah, it's hard to see with the pictures provided

plus no picture of how the crankshaft/pulley lines up

 

i'll get back to you on this

 

Here we go again! I rechecked everything and made sure it was right. Here's a pic of the crankshaft pulley alignment:



I gave it two rotations so the TDC would be on cyl #1

What i noticed is that my camshaft seems to be off of about 2mm from the perfect marks alignment..
View from the top:


From the back:


Another view edited because i couldnt get a clear image:



I'm going to take off the belts and clean/check everything and take other pics along the way.

BTW: Since i'm kinda off in my camshaft alignment marks, what do you suppose would have happened? My engine was running pretty find (never noticed a difference) Could it be possible that it would have jumped a notch? or maybe just somekind of spec. tolerence?

And if i re-align the camshaft shile re-instaling the timing belt, do i risk running into running probems in the end?

 

Well i removed the pulleys and tensionners to clean everything up.. this is what it looks like now:



As you can see the balancer shaft seal is beginning to leak a little bit. nothing alarming but i should replace it.. Ill try looking deep in my manual to find out if i can replace it (you need a special tool to put it back in)

 

for the seals on my Civic when I did the timing belt and water pump I just used a scratch awl and poked it through the face of the seal, then pried it out. Then I placed the new seal in place by hand and got it started as much as I could, then a used a socket and tapped it with a hammer until it was in place.

also, make sure you go to Honda and get a retainer for that front balance shaft seal.

 

This is what the final product looks like:




Getting the seals out was a PITA, and i scratched a bit the casting surrounding the seal. -MAKE SURE YOU NEVER SCRATCH THE SEAL MATING SURFACE ON THE SHAFT-
To make sure it didnt leak, i used some liquid gasket (high temp) around it and made sure not to get any on the shaft around the seal..

If anyone is interesting i could do a quick write up on how to get them out and put them in when you dont have the right tools (aka ghetto style)

 

how did you do it? Did you pry it out with a screw driver?

I just poked a scratch awl through the face of the seal and pry it out from the middle of the seal. No way to scratch the shaft or block/head.

I have pictures from when I did it on my Civic, I'll see if I can get some pictures up if you'd like.
(I have all the pictures of the timing belt/water pump job, I plan to do another write-up for the D16Y8 in my Civic, just haven't gotten time to do it yet)