when I first began my job at RPM honda was certainly not in my favor. Only after working on them and comparing their mechanics to American compacts did I begin to come around. And for good reason. mls head gaskets, double wishbone suspension, top mounted starters, and numerous other innovations American company’s had not incorporated.

I purchased my integra about a year ago. The previous owner had installed a new water pump and timing belt.. Needless to say it was leaking. I purchased an evergreen water pump timing belt and tensor for less then 40 bucks. Yeah I know u shouldn’t skimp on critical engine component’s like a timing belt. I know that now. the original belt was a genuine Honda. Now that I think of it I probably should have stuck with that one. It only had a couple thousand miles on it. they both appeared to be of the same color and texture. my only worry was leaking antifreeze damaging the old belt.

My father installed the belt set the tension. he’s a marine mechanic with 25 years of experience. Most of the 4 stroke motors he deals with are interference.. and He’s done his share of roller tension timing belts.

Last week the car died. didn’t depress the clutch till couple seconds after.. when I tried to start it there was no compression. I new right then my engine was toast. Towed it home with my moms 06 Malibu. Pulled the valve cover off and pulled the belt out. In snapped completely in half. In my 3 years of experience working at rpm ive never seen anything like it. sure we’ve had some high mileage cars skip a couple teeth. But never anything like this. The belt had less then 8000 mile on it. it was less then a year old when it failed. the only place there is visible damage is within an inch of each side where it is split.

what do you guys think.. is this the result of a generic timing belt?

 

You get what you pay for.... It is totally possible that this cheap timing belt cheaped out on you...

Sorry to hear man, I doubt there were any flaws in your installation. Why didn't you just re-seal the water pump with RTV rather than buying a new setup? I guess it isn't time for 'why didn't ya, should'a could'a ....'

Sorry to hear. Valves screwed?

 

i haven't pulled the cylinder head yet but im assuming it's destroyed. i was cruising at 55 when it failed.. and was unable to press in the clutch for a couple seconds. plus it was probably further damaged when i tried to start it. i simply couldn't believe it had failed as it had been replaced recently. i plan on pulling the motor and rebuilding it. im just a little weary of this happening again. before the incident. it was by far the fastest most dependable car i've ever owned.

 

I guess all you can do now is let others know that replacement parts is risk. Rip the head off and let us know how it goes....

 

yeah apparently evergreen is an american manufacturer. i read a couple of threads on evergreen timing belts skipin teeth after tens of thousands of miles but nothin like this. STAY AWAY FROM EVERGREEN.

 

i used one of their head gaskets as well. the result was almost a quart a minute of oil leaking down the side of the block.

 

pulled the head and replaced it with a fell pro and it was all good.

 

Contact the manufacture. They value their clients... Hopefully

 

most people aren't willing to admit it. but i think i got what i paid for. i don't think there's much they can do.. other then to ship me another shitty timing belt or head gasket free of charge. for now on im going oem with critical engine components. the cars pretty rusted out. some would question if rebuilding the motors a wise investment. but i figure i'll pull the motor a throw it in an older civic or another integra.

i know the d16 shares the same motor/tranny mounts as the b series. other then that.. what all is involved/required to swap a b serious motor into a civic of the same obd?

 

made in america usually means junk. always go with the oem part or any aftermarket Japanese part.

i buy oem gates timing belt. a couple times ive gotten cars with the goodyear or alike but i always change them with gates or oem which i believe are the same


ive never seen bent valves on a honda from timing bvelt failure and i knowit happens but ive done about 10 cars with the timing belt snaps and all i do is slap a new belt on and it works out just fine

all you had to do to check valves were do a compression or preferably a leak down test

hope you used a oem timing belt and headgasket

 

you most likely installed the head gasket backwards/improper tq bolts, or bad surface/warped

 

damn man. thats sad to hear.. i wish you the best of luck forsure

 

ive heard from a couple sources honda's aren't as bad as other motors in terms of interference. for instance a couple years ago a kia rio skipped 2 teeth and broke all 16 valves. but i guess i should pull the head before i assume anything.

 

only problem is the garage is full and i don't wana leave the engine in the car outside without a head on it.

 

why are you insisting on pulling the head

 

if you dont feel like paying the "OEM" price, get a gates timing belt. They also make a "racing belt"

they are actually the same part just different name...

 

im pretty sure gates makes the honda timing belts. and honda timing belts are cheap if you get them online. i get them for like 40 bucks online.

oem ones i have bought had a gates logo on it also. came in honda packaging with honda logo on belt

 

When I removed the cylinder head from my accord I noticed a circular recess on the top center of the pistons. maybe it is ok? i throw another belt on and do some compression checks. thanks for the advice.

 

assuming the b18b utilizes the same type of piston as the f22a

 

Compression test first, pull head second. If the compression test is OK, there isn't any need to pull the head.

Even a terrible aftermarket belt should last longer than 8000 miles so I'm guessing there was installation error.

 

you have an ls motor right?

No they don't. The f22 has an 85mm bore, opposed to our 81 mm bore. I'm sure they might look similar.

Not sure what this circular recession is. . .

If you really don't want to pull the head to get an idea of your valves, you can take off your exhaust manifold, and shine a bright light to try to see your valves.

 

Yeah it’s a b18b1 with gsr transmission.

 

very true but. that's assuming the manufacturer never kinked the belt. it seems to me if it were installed improperly it would have failed within the first hundred miles rather then a year.

 

but i suppose anythings possible.

 

thanks for the help everyone. still have the old belt. friday i'll get it installed and do some compression checks.. keep you guys posted.