I had a D16 in my old '89 Civic Si. The non-OEM pump took out the non-OEM belt at 27,000 miles with no head damage. Three dealers and a private garage all said basically the same thing: Some Honda motors almost always survive, others most certainly become paper weights. What's the concensus on the chances of a B18C1 Vtec motor surviving a timing belt breakage?

 

I seriously doubt that a b18c would survive a timing belt failure unscathed. My only experince with a failure was with my integra LS with the b18b which did survive. The gsr has much taller domes so i doubt that it would come out alive.

 

It's actually a B18C1 block with a JDM B16A1 head. Wouldn't "taller domes" give more clearance, not less?

Oops, I get it... Piston domes, not the dome in the head! DUH...


[Modified by ShootingStar, 3:48 AM 2/16/2003]

 

GSRs have flat top pistons

 

just to reiterate. heres a GSR piston from the side. notice NO DOME. completely flat with valve reliefs even though u cant see them.

 

I'd not count on any interference engine surviving a belt break unscathed. It happens but it'll be the exception not the rule. My one incident occured when I had the dealer change the clutch slave cylinder on my '88 prelude Si. They told me they had no record of a timing belt change on that car and that they'd do it for $350. Well money was tight, I ordered a belt online and planned to do it myself, but the damn belt broke before the replacement got here. 2000 rpms turning onto a highway entry ramp...the car just dies. I knew what happened immediately. Thanx to my being cheap, I then had to replace 4 valves & a timing belt. BTW the dealer wanted $2300 to do this minor work, I laughed so hard.

 

That's suck bro. If there's no other damage(hope) then it's not so bad though. Good luck.

 

He has B16A (DelSol) pistons in his motor, so.......yes, "domed" pistons.


[Modified by GM2000ITR, 5:43 AM 2/18/2003]

 

Is there a way to tell if your valves get damaged when your timing belt breaks? Other than removing the head.

 

Compression test. Noise.

 

well mine just cranks and doesnt start but no noise. Do you think im ok? when it broke i was slowing down. and it just shut off. I have not opened up the valve cover yet to check. But if the belt was loose and skipped a tooth would the car even start?

 

In that case you can probably take the valve cover off and gain some insight. I'd suggest a compression test prior to putting on a new belt though.

 

Check your valve clearances. If they are all at around like .006 or .007 (or wherever your stick lash is set. then your ok If all of them are like that but one is WAAAAAY more then you are going to pull the head anyway because well that's a very good indicator that you bent a valve. Hope this helps.

Later,

Sean C.

 

Solid advice.

 

Gonna take it back to the guy that installed my CTR cams. He probably didnt do something right.

 

I'm sure he'll be delighted to see you!