Just picked up a '91 Accord wagon with a supposed broken timing belt. After just a bit of taking apart for inspection I see a few cogs missing from the belt (so am hoping no valves got bent and a new belt will fix 'er right up). But my real question is based on this being the forth early 90's 2.2 engine I've worked on recently that has the same problem: the timing belt cover has warped/bowed out and allowed the alternator/AC belt cut a slice through it, leaving a huge gaping hole in the timing cover allowing all kinds of crap to enter.

What's with this?!? Is this just "typical"? Even if it is, what can you do so that you can properly seal off the timing belt area? I would think that if you just put on a new cover it, it will do the same thing. Not only does it allow all kinds of oil and crap in, it prematurely wears the alternator/ac belt out.

Suggestions, as I am at the perfect point of clean up/repair on this engine?

 

timing cover on my 92 sedan has rub marks with holes also would be nice to now exactly what causes this also. y guess is cover warps also. maybe someone else knows for sure and will chime in.

 

It could be typical for engines that have had work done and someone forget to replace all of the timing cover bolts or the clips brake. I have worked on quite a few and have yet to see this. Can you tell if any of the timing cover bolts were missing, or the bolt tabs broken?

Can you post up pictures of the bowed out cover?

 

It'll likely be a few days before I can get any pictures on the site. I haven't gotten deep enough in to the tear down to know if any bolts are missing or tabs broken on this engine, but from what I can remember on others I've dealt with, no bolts were missing/no tabs broken.

 

Sorry for the delay in getting a pic uploaded, but I tried to get one while on the car but it didn't turn out. Then had to order the crank bolt removal tool and wait for it to arrive. All the Honda's I've worked on, this was the first I needed that tool...

Anyway, doesn't seem to be any real interest on this topic, but just to note, there were no bolts missing, no tabs broken. Not the best maintained engine, so maybe that has something to do with the bowing and contact with alt/AC belt. I dunno; just that I have to order a replacement cover.

 

Wow...never ran into one like that before, I have seen some with slight rubbing due to a broken bolt, but that is bad. Looks like something wasn't put back together properly. Almost looks like someone may have installed the cover over top of the timing belt adjustment nut or it wasn't lined up properly with it.....???

I would say that the previous owner never popped the hood, not even to see what the noise was. Obviously not very well maintained. Not hard to tell why the timing belt might have broke, never replaced or replaced improperly by an inexperienced mechanic or a shade tree one.

 

Aha! I think you nailed it, but I just didn't pay attention while tearing apart. The cover was indeed over top the adjustment nut, and it was boogered to the point I had to use vise grips to get it off. Now, whether or not that was the same issue on others I have seen we'll never know, but this is by far the worse one I have ever seen.

Thanks!!

 

Your welcome!

Good luck with the build/repairs.

 

If the grommet over the "adjuster" isn't installed the heat will casue the cover to do this. Either be sure to install the grommet or get an "e-clip" that will fit around the adjuster bolt.

 

Yup, I have yet to see that happened. But I agree on what Ghost said.

 

Trust me.....everyone I've seen with this issue has not had the grommet around the adjuster bolt that "pokes" thru the cover.....the little small hole above where the crank goes thru

OP-was the "grommet" there on these?