96 Civic EX

When do you know if the tensioner needs to be replaced? Also, if it is bad will it take the timing belt with it, or just make it loose?

 

The tensioner is just a bearing. If it goes bad, it will start making noise. If it seizes, it will destroy the timing belt. If your changing your belt and plan on keeping the old tensioner, inspect it very closely. It shouldn't have any play, and it should turn perfectly smooth for several full rotations.

BTW: You can buy the OEM bearing in a Koyo box for a bit less than a Honda box. Amazon usually has great prices for them.

 

 

Belt every 60K miles, and tensioner roughly every 120K... Dont forget the tensioner spring also.

 

x2
whenever I do reuse the pulley while doing a T-belt service I make note of it an replace no matter the condition on the next T-belt replacement.


every 60k?! why so frequently? the book recommends 105k and it's pretty conservative. I would consider a 150k interval "safe" if the car is well maintained and has a good history.

 

Well, I had the timing belt done and the honda tech said mine was ok and didn't replace it, the writer said 90% of the time on the 4 cyl engines they do not replace it.

I think on the 6cyl it done most of the times.

This is my second timing belt.

Side note: car seems to start better in the morning? Is this possible, I am wondering if they readjust the timing? seems to run better as well?

 

what's considered for those maintenance intervals? belt quality? water pump bearings? i just replaced the water pump, timing belt and tensioner on my D16Y8 and the old belt still looks fine, but old and brown. it's actually the second belt and pump at 143,000 miles. the first owner replaced the first belt a little too early then.