I hope I understand the function of the auto-tensioner in the H22 engine. When an adjusting bolt is loosened, the autotensioner makes some constant tension on the T-belt. When I put the lower T-belt cover on and tighten the adjusting bolt, I think that the autotensioner is no more functional, because the adjusting bolt tightens both the T-belt and the balancer belt. At least when I tried to move the adjuster pulley, I couldn't move it until I loosened the adjusting bolt. It lookes like the adjusting bolt holds the adjuster pulley and hence also the tension of the T-belt. Am I right? If so, the autotensioner should be functional only whe installing the T-belt, no while driving, so fail of the autotensioner while driving should not be a problem.

 

No, the autotensioner keeps constant pressure on the timing belt while driving. That's it's entire purpose in life.

It's really a very good idea when you think about it. It adjusts itself for when you step on the gas, and let off the gas and keeps tension steady.

The problems come when:
#1. you don't change it at 90,000 miles
#2. you modify your car so there is more power running through the motor and you abuse the motor. Higher RPM's and rough shifts etc will eventually cause the tensioner to cave. Although not usually within a short amount of time
#3. When you mill your head, or deck your block the tensioner can't adjust for this enough most of the time. It's meant to take care of things while everything is stock spec.

 

So what is the adjusting bolt "holding", why it is there? Only the tension of the balancer belt? It seemed to me that when I tightened the adjusting bolt, it also "hold" all the tension pulley for T-belt.

 

On H22s, the adjuster nut you are referring to is only to lock down the balancer belt tension. The timing belt tensioner pulley moves freely (dictated by the auto tensioner). On the H23s/F22s, the adjusting nut locks down both the balancer shaft belt and timing belt.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lone Luder &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No, the autotensioner keeps constant pressure on the timing belt while driving. That's it's entire purpose in life.

It's really a very good idea when you think about it. It adjusts itself for when you step on the gas, and let off the gas and keeps tension steady.

The problems come when:
#1. you don't change it at 90,000 miles
#2. you modify your car so there is more power running through the motor and you abuse the motor. Higher RPM's and rough shifts etc will eventually cause the tensioner to cave. Although not usually within a short amount of time
#3. When you mill your head, or deck your block the tensioner can't adjust for this enough most of the time. It's meant to take care of things while everything is stock spec.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yep, and ask us what happens when it goes bad..
hehe

 

what would you suggest if I have a built block, is there a better alternative auto tensioner to use, or will it wear down fast either way if I am running turbo engine? thanks

 

I've replaced the autotensioner a few times after putting stiffer valve springs in my car. I finally did the H23 manual conversion, although I agree with Lone Luder that the autotensioner maintains better valve timing until it begins to fail

 

I have read about some sounds that bad autoptensioner makes. Does it make this sound until it is broken or even when "it is going bad"? My H22 makes some noise at idle and up to 1000rpm (with higher rpm it stops), but my tension of T-belt is good and autotensioner is good also. What makes the sound - poor Tbelt tension when the autotensioner is bad?

The same sound made my F20 (similiar as F22, but in Europe), which had not the autotensioner. So I think the sound is not comming from the autotensioenr.

 

car gettin new autotensioner put in today, its makin this sound when i apply pressure on throttle, not sure if it starts up when i let off throttle. Sometimes i hear like wrapping sound, really loud annoying noise.

 

My sound is not any loud, I have to listen carefully to hear it. So its probably not the autotensioner. My autotensioner even works.

 

At first the sounds wasnt loud, but it got louder with teh more miles i put on it. Heard it the first day i took my car back from shop, just got lil louder. Sounds like grinding sometimes. Read a few posts with search on autotensioner and some say that there tensioners were makin loud annoying noise too?

 

Is it a loud squeeling noise? I had this noise only to find that my water pump was making this noise due to the bearings probably going out or seizing.

I took the water pump out and spun the pulley with the same noise that it was making. I sure hope it wasn't the tensioner -- if it was, thank god I took the ****** off.

I've been trying to find me H23 parts and been on and off the phone with Honda.

It really sucks when you know more about the **** than Honda themsevles.