Got a 98 CRV with 199k miles.

January last year, I installed new water pump, timing belt, and the rest of the belts.

Then just last week I was driving about 70MPH down the highway, and that's when my timing belt broke.
Inspecting it more, it looks like a piece of timing belt(a tooth) came completely off and lodged itself into a space in the timing belt cover.

So I'm thinking I need only a new timing belt...but WAIT!
Timing belts usually last 100k or a bit more. Why in the world would this timing belt break? It's not a cheap-o belt either..it was made by ITM(order from RockAuto).

Also, for months my CRV has been vibrating whenever I start it and drive. The vibration goes away when I accelerate tho, and been that way for months.
I'm thinking maybe the vibration has to do with the valves. I haven't adjusted them since I got my CRV(got car at 137k), and I'm not sure if the previous owner adjusted the valves either.

So...is it possible that the valves not getting adjusted could have cause some type of failure, in which the cams stopped turning, and in which cause the timing belt to break?

Any advice or suggestions are welcomed. Thank you!

 

Did you also replace the tensioner?

Timing belts are kind of one of those things you only buy from Honda.

 

replaced that as well, came with the timing belt kit.

 

ITM is listed under "economy" parts on rock auto. $13 belt. I wouldn't call that a quality belt.

For reference the Honda belt is $72.

 

Yeah, I have to buy a greater belt. Maybe Mid-range in price. Perhaps Gates.

 

I have had success with the gates belt. Just not their water pumps, those are complete junk.

 

Vibration at idle that goes away when accelerating is typically related to worn/bad mounts.

 

I've had good luck with Mitsuboshi and Gates TB's on my '98 CRV and '05 Pilot. The last two times on the CRV I've gone with a kit with a Mitsuboshi TB and NPW water pump. As has already been mentioned avoid Gates WP's like the plague...total junk. On the Pilot I only use Aisin WP's.

 

I didn't know a '98 had a belt. With a 2.4?

 

 

Buy either a Honda OEM belt(1st choice) or Gates. As for vibration I would definitely adjust the valves and check the motor mounts.

 

Not what you want to hear, but a broke belt at 20k miles is almost certainly mis-installed or some other contributing factor.
And even worse, if it broke at 70 mph, you likely have valve damage because these are interference engines.

 

OP has a B series, not K series.