The engine is a 99 b18c1 with a few bolt-ons. We keep stripping the teeth off the timing belts. It always happens while cruising. We've gone through 2 OEM belts, and 2 generic parts store belts in the last 5 months. The tensioner appears to be functioning correctly, we never have any issues setting proper tension. We check the tension every few weeks and it's in spec. I'm still not counting the tensioner out though, in my mind it seems like it would be the cause, but my brother doesn't think so.

We're thinking of getting a higher quality belt, like a Toda or Power Enterprise. We're definitely replacing the tensioner and spring this time around. Any other suggestions for parts or idea's on what would cause this, are greatly appreciated.

 

Stock cam gears?

 

Honda recomends replacing the tensioner when doing the timing belts. If its stripping the teeth id look at the cam gears/oil pump gear also too see if theirs anything weird

 

Something is wrong with one of the contact paths the belt travels on.

Make sure the retaining washers on the oil pump gear are not on backwards, as this can sometimes cause contact with the belt. Inspect each gear, water pump, oil pump and both cam sprockets.

I wouldn't waste any money on $100+ dollar belts until the problem is found, because it is not the belt's fault.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92TypeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I wouldn't waste any money on $100+ dollar belts until the problem is found, because it is not the belt's fault.</TD></TR></TABLE>

X2

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92TypeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Something is wrong with one of the contact paths the belt travels on.

Make sure the retaining washers on the oil pump gear are not on backwards, as this can sometimes cause contact with the belt. Inspect each gear, water pump, oil pump and both cam sprockets.
</TD></TR></TABLE> what they said" also,make sure the gears are smooth and have no sharp edges or rough spots on the belts path.

 

We didn't start breaking belts until we added adjustable cam gears. The OEM belts seemed to last a little longer, than the parts store junk. We checked the gears for sharp edges and burrs, but I guess that doesn't mean much considering we've broken 4 belts since we added the gears. I didn't mention the gears because I wanted unbiased opinions on what the issue could be. We also have some pretty large cams and dual valve springs in the head. The bottom end has some mild work done to the factory parts, and we're shifting about 9200 rpm. I'll take another look at the gears this weekend.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by boost_guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">We didn't start breaking belts until we added adjustable cam gears. The OEM belts seemed to last a little longer, than the parts store junk. We checked the gears for sharp edges and burrs, but I guess that doesn't mean much considering we've broken 4 belts since we added the gears. I didn't mention the gears because I wanted unbiased opinions on what the issue could be. We also have some pretty large cams and dual valve springs in the head. The bottom end has some mild work done to the factory parts, and we're shifting about 9200 rpm. I'll take another look at the gears this weekend.
</TD></TR></TABLE>how large and those cams and have stiff are those springs -.-

 

if you have GE camgears i'd say thats the culpret, sorry GE but your cam gears are teh suck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blinx9900 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you have GE camgears i'd say thats the culpret, sorry GE but your cam gears are teh suck.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by boost_guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I didn't mention the gears because I wanted unbiased opinions on what the issue could be. </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rico91stang &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats not a biased opinion ricostang, thats and educated one, had GE gears that were eating up my belts, they had NO scratches on them and they STILL ate up my belt, i put aem gears on and the problem went away, so to you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blinx9900 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

thats not a biased opinion ricostang, thats and educated one, had GE gears that were eating up my belts, they had NO scratches on them and they STILL ate up my belt, i put aem gears on and the problem went away, so to you.</TD></TR></TABLE>

When you mention a brand name instead of just saying check the cam gears then it is biased.

 

biased or informed?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RPRacing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">biased or informed?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Biased. Apparantly he had a bad experience with GE cam gears, but with how many are on the market, there is no reason to write them all off.

 

so you're saying, since he has first hand experience with something failing, and since it appears that he changed out the product that seemed to be the culprit for something else, that makes him biased? It doesn't make him informed on the subject?

The only bias i see is that he is using his personal experience instead of mainstream acceptance to make his decision. I say he is informed on this particular subject.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RPRacing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so you're saying, since he has first hand experience with something failing, and since it appears that he changed out the product that seemed to be the culprit for something else, that makes him biased? It doesn't make him informed on the subject?

The only bias i see is that he is using his personal experience instead of mainstream acceptance to make his decision. I say he is informed on this particular subject.</TD></TR></TABLE>

No. Unbiased would be check the cam gears as a possible culprit.

Biased is saying "if you have GE camgears i'd say thats the culpret, sorry GE but your cam gears are teh suck."
This implies ALL ge cam gears suck.

 

thank you RPRacing, its nice to see some people understand.

i dont have personal grudge against GE, they didnt rip me off or kill my dog, but there cam gears were defective, are all there cam gears defective? i cant say im 100% sure, but would i take the chance, NO.

first off there a bit skinnier than aem gears, and the timing marks are horrible, they appear to be in 10 degree increments but if you look at the last increment of 9 which should be 90 degrees, anybody with a brain can see that is NOT 90 degrees(its more like 80ish). you can see it in this pic:



the gear on the right, the adjustment bolt on the WEST side is 90 degrees, but the marks dont line up.

also as i mentioned the gears for some reason pushed the timing belt outwards into the timing cover which was causing the belts to shred.

now if you check my sig you can see im selling a set of GE cam gears, you would think it would be in my best interest to say there awesome, but im unbiased, i tell the truth, and that truth for me, is they are horrible.

 

I do not know about the belt moving foward on your GE pulleys as I have never had that problem, but there can allways be a bad set, no matter who you get them from. But as far as the markings, anybody with a brain, would realize they are in a vernier/ micrometer form, and lining up the next mark is "1" cam degree and the most accurate of all the gears i have seen.

 

All the money you spend in timing belts you could have replaced the tensioner a long time ago. A stronger belt will not solve your problem. Best of luck.

 

You need to loosen up your valves a little. You can't use OEM spec ".008 or .006" or whatever anymore. I bet you had a hard time turning the crank right after you installed the belt, right?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DonF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> But as far as the markings, anybody with a brain, would realize they are in a vernier/ micrometer form, and lining up the next mark is "1" cam degree and the most accurate of all the gears i have seen. </TD></TR></TABLE>

i know this will make me sound stupid, but i have no idea what that means, i will look into it though, thank you for shedding some light...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DonF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I do not know about the belt moving foward on your GE pulleys as I have never had that problem, but there can allways be a bad set, no matter who you get them from. But as far as the markings, anybody with a brain, would realize they are in a vernier/ micrometer form, and lining up the next mark is "1" cam degree and the most accurate of all the gears i have seen. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Well now that the venerable DonF has backed up my statement, I rest my case.


Modified by rico91stang at 11:33 AM 1/3/2008

 

Been there done that. i had the same problem bro a couple years back.....

The Problem.......... 1st gen STR CAMGEARS...... the ones that look like a radioactive sign.....

i will never buy another STR part again.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rico91stang &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Well now that the venerable DonF has backed up my statement, I rest my case.


Modified by rico91stang at 11:33 AM 1/3/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>

dude he's not backing you up, stop being a kid, this isent about im wrong your right BS...