1998 Honda Accord with VTEC 4cyl engine. Had timing belt replaced at a shop a week ago and am trying to convince myself the car does NOT run differently. 225k miles.

Before the car went in, it had an occasional problem with the idle dropping low. Now it seems to stay at the "first white mark" [300rpm?] after it warms up. Then out of the blue, it'll jump up to 'second white mark' on tach and be fine.

Also [and this is where I'm not sure if I'm crazy], it just seems to be "louder and rev faster" (??). It almost SEEMS to me that the engine is revving up faster and shifting quickly. Also, when I get out on the highway and really lay into it, I never feel that VTEC transition when I get it around 3800 rpm like I once did.

It is almost as if the engine just feels 'tighter wound' all of a sudden. That said, the acceleration and cruising on the highway 70+ seem absolutely fine. Is this "shoulda not been a woosie, and changed it myself" guilt and paranoia?

Do any of these symptoms [real or imagined] reflect any possible considerations after a timing belt replacement? [I also had a front drivers axle replaced at same time, but don't see any connection]

Thanks,
ME

 

I had mine changed yesterday and it seemed that the idle was lower than I remembered. As far as the rest, I only drove it home so I don't know. I thought the shop might have disconnected the battery and the ECM has to re-learn the settings, but the radio settings have not changed so that one is out. Guess I will see tomorrow when I go to Asheville.

 

Do you know if they adjusted the valves while they did the timing belts?

Do you know if they disconnected the battery/reset the ECU after the timing belt change? This oddity in the idle could be the ECU learning it's new timing and fuel adjustments.

With the F23 you shouldn't really feel the VTEC kick in. From the factory it is set to be a rather smooth transition between the two cam profiles.

 

Mine actually changed a whole lot with my timing belt change. It was VERY slouchy down low, but it would take off like a rocket after 3k RPM. I rarely drive my car over 3k RPM, so this was a problem for me. I went back to my mechanic time and time again for him to check the timing. Finally, he intentionally put the timing off by 1 tooth, and then the car felt like how it always did. Runs great, with sufficient power low down, but no big reason to go above 3k RPM. I generally shift less than 3k RPM. I drive my Accord like a grandma. lol

 

I very rarely ever shifted under 3500-4k RPM, only time would be in traffic or stop and go driving. Man you are torturing that poor engine!

Could be why you are having issues. After years of boredom, the engine wants to give up on you. In hopes that you will sell the car to someone who want's to drive it the way it should be driven....lol j/k

 

So, it was only for a short time that the idle was off. Started out too high when I first cranked it then slowly came down. It had to be the ECM re-learning the settings. Now if feels just like it always has. The rest of the rpm range is the same as well.

 

The IDLE is the only thing that is still erratic. Sometimes it sits right at the 'second white mark' on the TAC and idles perfect, then suddenly [hot or cold] it will drop to the "first white mark" on the TAC and feel like it's about to die. Although I say it is erratic - the two marks on the TAC it jumps to are quite consistent - in other words it either runs "perfect" [600 rpm?] or it runs 'rough' [300 rpm?]. Does the 'exact' nature of the 'inconsistency' lean toward a computer issue? Filter? Sensor?

Thanks,
ME

 

@Ghost - No, they did NOT adjust the valves. Also, I was surprised to notice they did NOT unhook the battery [my radio was fine and they don't have the code]. I think you are right about the VTEC - plus since I've tested and it feels fine.

Idle is still strange, sometimes perfect [second mark] and sometimes NOT [first mark] - but the car has never died.

 

these engines are strong, you need to put some lead in your shoes.