Okay... I've had a 91 Integra that I put 279k miles on, and a 98 Integra that I put 170k miles on and I have never experienced what I am now.

My 97 Prelude just had the timing belt and other belts replaced and a valve adjustment. Now, I hear this loud whining noise and I feel like I've lost some torque.

The VTEC kicks in when it's supposed to and pulls, but underneath that, I feel like there's a significant loss of power (significant to me).

Could this loss of torque be 'cause of an old clutch (104k miles on car) or bad service from the Honda dealer?

 

have them recheck the belt tension (whine), cam timing and valve adjustment specs (loss of power)

 

That whining noise comes from the T-Belt or Balancer Belt being too tight. Take it back.

 

what about the tensioner being bad... possibility? i was thinking because the tensioner was self adjusting, the belt tension would fix it itself.

arghg... wish i knew i how to fix things myself.

 

Well if they did a timing belt service they would have replaced the tensioner unless you told them not to, it's included in the service. The whine is probably the balancer shaft belt since it uses a standard spring loaded tensioner. The valve adjustment might not be right though, cause if it were me doing it I'd tell the customer to bring it in late and leave it overnight so it could be done the next morning with the engine as cold as possible so that it's right. Take it back and let them know, they'll most likely fix it free of charge, I work at one.

 

Check the tension of the accessory belts! The alternator or power steering belts are probably over tensioned, creating a whine (bad for their bearings). My lude had, and still has even after lowering the tension, a whine. If the belts are too tight your power can feel less on a bum dyno, and it probably is then too. (more tension means more resistance).

Just take it back and get them to check it. They will be able to see if it is coming from the timing covers or alternator etc.

 

that's another odd thing, i asked the guy didn't they change the tensioner, and he replied "no". I told him i figured they would have done that. So now, i'm wondering if they are going to charge me to change the tensioner, which could cost some big money. I don't know why they didn't just do it. he claimed they check it to see if its operating properly, but i figured on a 97 they'd just change it.

yeah... its some serious whine going on. taking it to them in the morning. i live a block away, the engine doesn't even get warm by the time i get to the dealer.

 

As mentioned earlier, it is likely your belt tensioner. The 5th gen (I know for sure) uses an auto-tensioner that adjusts via hydralic pressure. After a while like all things, it too wears out.

One thing to look into is the possibility to installing an manual tensioner which does not adjust, but instead works similarly to the typical tensioner you are used to seeing (do a search for this). The whining is intentional, as that is when (roughly 80k) the timing belt needs to be changed. I would consider staying with the auto-tensioner as it will serve as a gauge to determine service is needed. The auto-tensioner is an expensive piece compared to your typical tensioner, but has its benifits (which the whining is one).

Its unfortunate that the tensioner wasnt changed when the timing belt was. Typically you want to look at replacing your water pump, tensioner, front main seal, and tensioner when you have the timing belt changed. Saves you from these types of headaches in the future. Sadly you have to do a fair amount on research, even before visiting your mechanic, as they arent always the sharpest pencils in the box (just good with hands). You are right in that it should have been mentioned by an experienced mechanic.

 

thanks to everyone for their replies. i just got my car back. two hours later after taking it in i got my prelude back... service dept said the guy who installed the belts made em too tight. he adjusted them and i hear no whine at all now, just nice engine growl when hittin' the throttle. after mentioning the tensioner to them when taking it in, hopefully they actually checked it, which was sort of suggested last visit.

i talked to another mechanic at an independent shop and he suggested that the tensioner may not needed to be changed, although it doesn't hurt to do so.

hopefully things will be okay for a while.

Thanks again!