the belt

Hi all,

I just bought a 1989 Honda Integra Vtec with 140 000 miles. The dealer had
no log books on it, so I dont know when the timing belt has been changed.
Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs to
be changed?

Also one more question, the radiator seems to be losing half a litre of
liquid every 2-3 days, although I don't see any water leaking out. A friend
of mine said it could be a cracked head gasket (I hope not!!), but there is
no indication of any mixture of oil and water. The hoses are fine. How would
I be able to test for a cracked head gasket?

Thanks

 

I understand there really are no easily perceived symptoms to indicate whether a
timing belt needs changing.

Owners should go by time and mileage passed since the last change.

You should probably consider getting a new timing belt and water pump (per
below) to be on the safe side. A timing belt that spontaneously breaks can
damage the engine and cost big bucks to fix, compared to just replacing the belt
(and pump).

Do you even smell radiator coolant in or outside the car? Could be the water
pump (bearings or otherwise) is dying. They tend to last about as long as timing
belts. People generally have a whole new water pump put in the same time they
get a new timing belt for this reason and because the interference removal is
about the same for each.

 

Check the engine compartment closely for a tag or markings on a firewall
indicating a belt change.
If no such writing that is not to say the belt was not changed however.

The Artful Codger

 

If you are going through the trouble to pull the engine apart, then change
the belt at that point. Belts are not expensive (50$ app). Most of the belt
change cost is labor.

 

Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs
to

Belts are usually hard to tell when they need to be replaced. However; you
can make sure that your belt is NOT dying. If you pull the valve cover and
the upper timing belt cover, you can use a 17mm socket to rotate the
accessory pulley and look at the belt in its entirity. Make sure you the
teeth
look OK and there's no deterioration on them. Also, make sure the
belt is not frayed and in good condition. If the car has never received a
timing belt change at a delearship, check the maker of the belt (it will
be written on the top), if it is Honda chances are the previous owner
never replaced the belt.
Belts should be replaced every 90,000 along with its water pump. I heard
from someone in the newsgroup he was charged $1000 to replace it at a
stealership. Truth is, the job should not take more than 4 hours and
the belt is only worth ~$50. If you have any mechanical skills, you should
be able to change it yourself in a day (maybe a weekend project).
Otherwise you should be able to change it at an independent shop for
~$300. To make sure they DO change it, paint a mark on the old belt
and ask them to give you the old part once they are done. Look for the
paint mark you made.
I hope this helps,

- JR

 

How would

oxidation/rust on the sparkplugs
or a cole monoxide test on the cooling fluid

marcel

 

Cylinder Leakage Test. Listen/look for air in radiator..


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I've seen a few with some white crystals on the spark plugs though I've
never noticed any with rust.

Eric