Hey guys. Super car noob here. Seriously, I think I've learned more about (my) cars in the last two weeks than in my life previously. Which is good, I need the experience.

Here's the sitch: I have a 2001 Honda CR-V, that I've owned since 160k miles's and now has 210k on the clock. In that time I've kept current on oil changes, new radiator, new spark plugs and distributor, what I haven't gotten around to is replacing the timing belt.

A month ago I was cruisin on the highway at 80mph and the engine just cuts off. No weird sounds, almost like I ran out of gas, except I hadn't. The engine turns still, and I later confirmed there's gas coming through the fuel pump when you turn the key, and there's spark in the plugs.

I popped the valve cover to take a look at the belt, and the belts intact as far as I can see, but there's a lot of deflection between the cams, at least an inch of travel. I turned the engine crank shaft to check the cam alignment, and it looks aligned, but when I turn the crankshaft one cam starts moving before the other. About 1cm of movement before the slack is taken and the other cam starts to move. I'm going to do my best to attach a video.

EDIT: this should be a video link

My roommate who's good with cars says it's totally too loose, and thinks that's the issue. I've been watching and reading about a timing belt change and think I'd like to try to do it on my own, but before I do:

1. Does it sound like I'm on the right track? Would the belt loosening cause my car to shut off like that?
2. I know a timing belt issue while driving can cause piston damage, is there a way to check for that? Could the engine already be screwed and a belt change would be pointless?

I think that about sums it up. Any and all feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,
Cameron

 

It looks a little loose. But you’ll make the deflection look even worse by turning one camshaft backwards... it would’ve been better to show a video of you turning the crank in the correct direction. But instead of making another video remove your lower timing cover and look at the tensioner. That will tell you everything you need to know.

Easiest way to find out if your pistons or valves are damaged is a compression and/or leak down test.