I have an issue with my tenshioner failing. The spring tore through the ear and released the tension on the timing belt while I was driving my Civic 2dr coupe 1.7 (base motor). The timing belt slipped a few teeth and the engine wouldn't start for obvious reasons. I got the car towed home and I found the damaged tenshioner pulley where the spring ripped through the metal like a hot knife through butter! See picture.

Question #1: Have you seen this happen? Why and how can this happen on a fresh tenshioner? I installed this thing 20K ago when I did the timing belt service and now this?

Question #2: If you look at the pic you will see a pen pointing to the smaller hole that is drilled into the back side of the pulley mounting surface. Is there a corresponding pin or locater dowel on the mating surface of the block to help "clock or locate" the pulley so that it is oriented properly? The reason I ask is that I don't see such a locating pin or dowel on my block...which could possibly be an issue If I'm supposed to have one. I do not see one... perhaps it sheared off. If the answer is no locater pin or dowel is present on the 2001-2005 1.7 SOHC base motor (not V-Tech) then I have nothing to wory about. I called the dealership and they couldn't answer this question. My Honda guru buddy told me that all the earlier Honda motors do have such a pin or dowel and I'm told that it is cast into the block...not a pressed in pin. So, if mine was supposed to be there and it sheared off, is there an accepted repair for this situation?
Sorry to be too lengthy with my post but I need to know for sure if this is missing on my motor. Thanks for any help out there!

 

Bump...There has to be someone on this site who is familiar with the 2001-05 1.7 base motor and whether or not the tensioner pulley indexes onto a pin where the mounting boss is??? Or is there no pin or dowel on the boss? Please...someone? Maybe someone knows a friend who knows a friend who might know?

 

I've heard stories of them failing, but have not shared the experience. (thankfully) However, 20k miles isn't exactly what I'd consider "fresh" when it comes to .. anything.

To know more about the timing belt, tensioner, etc. .. click this link from the FAQs.

 

The irony here is that if I had chosen to be lazy and irresponsible...and left the ****ing belt, tensioner & water pump alone and diregarded the "preventaive maintenance", I'd still be driving the car as we speak. But no, I had to be a responsible proactive guy and do the timing belt service and 20K later, I have a failed tensioner and a F'd up engine as a result. Nice guys finish last I guess...

 

Still looking for a definitive answers. Anyone completed a timing belt service lately and remember if there is a pin located behind the tensioner to index it into a predetermined position? Anyone know a guy i can call that might have experience in this matter?

Thanks

 

When you replaced the belt and tensioner did you do the proper sequence for the belt tension?

 

Did you read the thread I linked you to?

There is no "pin or dowel" on the block. You align the holes on the tensioner and put the pin through it.

Bolt it to the engine, run the belt (drive pulley, tensioner, water pump, camshaft) - hook the spring to the bolt on the block, torque the mounting bolt to 33lb-ft and pull the pin out.

 

^ That would be the sequence. It is critical that you do this when installing a new belt and tensioner.

 

I tried to look at your link and for some reason it didn't work...so I didn't read the thread. Thanks for the explaination!

 

Works fine when I click it.

No problem. Not sure how it helped, but there it is!

 

My satellite internet system is to blame. I live in Bumf*$% Egypt and I'm forced to use this setup. It's hardly better than dial up. Thanks for the help.