timing chain
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Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 664
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From: CO, United States
timing chain
Hey I am a b series guy and just about to buy a rsx base model 5 speed. I am just wondering what the maintenance is like for these, when is the timing chain, tensioner changed?
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From: Toronto, Canada but from Montreal
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Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 73
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From: SE Michigan
Re: timing chain
Yeah, people can be cruel on the internet.
You shouldn't need to worry about the timing chain, it ought to never need replacement. I had my head off at 140k miles (just for fun, nothing wrong) and had no worries about putting the old one back in.
You shouldn't need to worry about the timing chain, it ought to never need replacement. I had my head off at 140k miles (just for fun, nothing wrong) and had no worries about putting the old one back in.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29
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From: Eastman, Georgia
Re: timing chain
I saw a thread somewhere either on ephatch or on here but since ephatch went down I cant find the tread anymore.
There is a way to see how far your chain has stretched - if it is stretched too far then its just a matter of time till you need a new chain. But in theory they arent going to break, just get looser over time.
The tensioner - I am not sure how to check if its good or not. Obviously you would want to check these things for preventative maintenance but its also not like if you had a timing belt. The chain is much better IMO.
There is a way to see how far your chain has stretched - if it is stretched too far then its just a matter of time till you need a new chain. But in theory they arent going to break, just get looser over time.
The tensioner - I am not sure how to check if its good or not. Obviously you would want to check these things for preventative maintenance but its also not like if you had a timing belt. The chain is much better IMO.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,792
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From: Cincinnati, OH
Re: timing chain
The chains can stretch over time, so if you ever remove the head, I'd advise replacing it. I would measure it first just to be certain that it has stretched.
The tensioner is pressured from the oil pump, which means change your oil properly to help maintain chain life. I've heard of certain aftermarket high lift cams causing the chain to reverse direction for a split second and causing damage to the tensioner. So the tensioner should be inspected periodically for wear to determine when to replace them.
Here's an article on how to upgrade the OEM tensioner:
http://www.k20a.org/forum/showthread...in+replacement
The tensioner is pressured from the oil pump, which means change your oil properly to help maintain chain life. I've heard of certain aftermarket high lift cams causing the chain to reverse direction for a split second and causing damage to the tensioner. So the tensioner should be inspected periodically for wear to determine when to replace them.
Here's an article on how to upgrade the OEM tensioner:
http://www.k20a.org/forum/showthread...in+replacement
Trial User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
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Re: timing chain
Hi, I am new to this forum.
I own a 2004 Honda Accord and have to replace my timing chain (2.4L engine) according to the engine code.
My car has 85,000 kilometers on it but I am not the first owner. The car however is basically in like new condition.
Honda told me that neglecting oil changes can cause this issue. I myself have changed the oil well under the service intervals using the recommended oil.
I am pretty disgusted I have to replace the timing chain with so few kilometers. I contacted Honda Canada and hoping they would "good will" some of the bill, but they basically told me to go F#@k myself.
This is a hard pill to swallow since this is my second Honda and I have had bad experiences with both in terms of mechanical issues and service issues.
All my other cars I have owned have been Toyotas and they have always been incredibly reliable for me.
My first car was a 86 Toyata Camry. I drove the car for 5 years and didn't do one oil change or any maintenance to it at all. I beat the crap outta that car and it would not die. I sold it to a lady for 500 dollars and she continued driving it for at least 3 more years.
I guess my expectations are too high for Honda.
This experience has left me a little jaded.
I can't see me owning another Honda.
I own a 2004 Honda Accord and have to replace my timing chain (2.4L engine) according to the engine code.
My car has 85,000 kilometers on it but I am not the first owner. The car however is basically in like new condition.
Honda told me that neglecting oil changes can cause this issue. I myself have changed the oil well under the service intervals using the recommended oil.
I am pretty disgusted I have to replace the timing chain with so few kilometers. I contacted Honda Canada and hoping they would "good will" some of the bill, but they basically told me to go F#@k myself.
This is a hard pill to swallow since this is my second Honda and I have had bad experiences with both in terms of mechanical issues and service issues.
All my other cars I have owned have been Toyotas and they have always been incredibly reliable for me.
My first car was a 86 Toyata Camry. I drove the car for 5 years and didn't do one oil change or any maintenance to it at all. I beat the crap outta that car and it would not die. I sold it to a lady for 500 dollars and she continued driving it for at least 3 more years.
I guess my expectations are too high for Honda.
This experience has left me a little jaded.
I can't see me owning another Honda.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Re: timing chain
Hi, I am new to this forum.
I own a 2004 Honda Accord and have to replace my timing chain (2.4L engine) according to the engine code.
My car has 85,000 kilometers on it but I am not the first owner. The car however is basically in like new condition.
Honda told me that neglecting oil changes can cause this issue. I myself have changed the oil well under the service intervals using the recommended oil.
I am pretty disgusted I have to replace the timing chain with so few kilometers. I contacted Honda Canada and hoping they would "good will" some of the bill, but they basically told me to go F#@k myself.
This is a hard pill to swallow since this is my second Honda and I have had bad experiences with both in terms of mechanical issues and service issues.
All my other cars I have owned have been Toyotas and they have always been incredibly reliable for me.
My first car was a 86 Toyata Camry. I drove the car for 5 years and didn't do one oil change or any maintenance to it at all. I beat the crap outta that car and it would not die. I sold it to a lady for 500 dollars and she continued driving it for at least 3 more years.
I guess my expectations are too high for Honda.
This experience has left me a little jaded.
I can't see me owning another Honda.
I own a 2004 Honda Accord and have to replace my timing chain (2.4L engine) according to the engine code.
My car has 85,000 kilometers on it but I am not the first owner. The car however is basically in like new condition.
Honda told me that neglecting oil changes can cause this issue. I myself have changed the oil well under the service intervals using the recommended oil.
I am pretty disgusted I have to replace the timing chain with so few kilometers. I contacted Honda Canada and hoping they would "good will" some of the bill, but they basically told me to go F#@k myself.
This is a hard pill to swallow since this is my second Honda and I have had bad experiences with both in terms of mechanical issues and service issues.
All my other cars I have owned have been Toyotas and they have always been incredibly reliable for me.
My first car was a 86 Toyata Camry. I drove the car for 5 years and didn't do one oil change or any maintenance to it at all. I beat the crap outta that car and it would not die. I sold it to a lady for 500 dollars and she continued driving it for at least 3 more years.
I guess my expectations are too high for Honda.
This experience has left me a little jaded.
I can't see me owning another Honda.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,792
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
Re: timing chain
Hi, I am new to this forum.
I own a 2004 Honda Accord and have to replace my timing chain (2.4L engine) according to the engine code.
My car has 85,000 kilometers on it but I am not the first owner. The car however is basically in like new condition.
Honda told me that neglecting oil changes can cause this issue. I myself have changed the oil well under the service intervals using the recommended oil.
I am pretty disgusted I have to replace the timing chain with so few kilometers. I contacted Honda Canada and hoping they would "good will" some of the bill, but they basically told me to go F#@k myself.
This is a hard pill to swallow since this is my second Honda and I have had bad experiences with both in terms of mechanical issues and service issues.
All my other cars I have owned have been Toyotas and they have always been incredibly reliable for me.
My first car was a 86 Toyata Camry. I drove the car for 5 years and didn't do one oil change or any maintenance to it at all. I beat the crap outta that car and it would not die. I sold it to a lady for 500 dollars and she continued driving it for at least 3 more years.
I guess my expectations are too high for Honda.
This experience has left me a little jaded.
I can't see me owning another Honda.
I own a 2004 Honda Accord and have to replace my timing chain (2.4L engine) according to the engine code.
My car has 85,000 kilometers on it but I am not the first owner. The car however is basically in like new condition.
Honda told me that neglecting oil changes can cause this issue. I myself have changed the oil well under the service intervals using the recommended oil.
I am pretty disgusted I have to replace the timing chain with so few kilometers. I contacted Honda Canada and hoping they would "good will" some of the bill, but they basically told me to go F#@k myself.
This is a hard pill to swallow since this is my second Honda and I have had bad experiences with both in terms of mechanical issues and service issues.
All my other cars I have owned have been Toyotas and they have always been incredibly reliable for me.
My first car was a 86 Toyata Camry. I drove the car for 5 years and didn't do one oil change or any maintenance to it at all. I beat the crap outta that car and it would not die. I sold it to a lady for 500 dollars and she continued driving it for at least 3 more years.
I guess my expectations are too high for Honda.
This experience has left me a little jaded.
I can't see me owning another Honda.
And that's what you get for being
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: NS, canada
Re: timing chain
the k24's are a different story than any of the k20's. the k24's are known to have chain stretch. the k20's dont have this issue.
if you wanna check your tensioner , you pull the 3 10mm bolts holding the tensioner inspection cover bolted to the timing cover , see how far the piston is out of the tensioner.
if you wanna check your tensioner , you pull the 3 10mm bolts holding the tensioner inspection cover bolted to the timing cover , see how far the piston is out of the tensioner.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: MD
Re: timing chain
When you start a K series and you hear your valves slamming shut for a quick second, your timing chain tensioner is going bad. Otherwise, there is no scheduled maintenance plan for the timing chain/tensioner
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Hackettstown NJ
Re: timing chain
I had my buddy at honda check the chain on my ep3 for me. Mine isnt streched at all, and I have 152k miles on my car, granted 98% of those miles are highway, but still.