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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 |
Re: the belt
"mim" <s@s.com> wrote
> 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? 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). > 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. 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. > How would > I be able to test for a cracked head gasket? |
Re: the belt
"mim" <s@s.com> wrote
> 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? 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). > 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. 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. > How would > I be able to test for a cracked head gasket? |
Re: the belt
"mim" <s@s.com> wrote
> 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? 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). > 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. 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. > How would > I be able to test for a cracked head gasket? |
Re: the belt
"mim" <s@s.com> wrote
> 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? 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). > 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. 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. > How would > I be able to test for a cracked head gasket? |
Re: the belt
"Caroline" <caroline10027remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:CUJAb.2892$_r6.1623@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > "mim" <s@s.com> wrote > > Hi all, > > > > I just bought a 1989 Honda Integra Vtec with 140 000 miles. The dealer had > > no log books on it, so I dont know when the timing belt has been changed. > > Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs to > > be changed? > > I understand there really are no easily perceived symptoms to indicate whether a > timing belt needs changing. > > Owners should go by time and mileage passed since the last change. > > You should probably consider getting a new timing belt and water pump (per > below) to be on the safe side. A timing belt that spontaneously breaks can > damage the engine and cost big bucks to fix, compared to just replacing the belt > (and pump). > > > Also one more question, the radiator seems to be losing half a litre of > > liquid every 2-3 days, although I don't see any water leaking out. A friend > > of mine said it could be a cracked head gasket (I hope not!!), but there is > > no indication of any mixture of oil and water. The hoses are fine. > > Do you even smell radiator coolant in or outside the car? Could be the water > pump (bearings or otherwise) is dying. They tend to last about as long as timing > belts. People generally have a whole new water pump put in the same time they > get a new timing belt for this reason and because the interference removal is > about the same for each. > > > How would > > I be able to test for a cracked head gasket? > > Check the engine compartment closely for a tag or markings on a firewall indicating a belt change. If no such writing that is not to say the belt was not changed however. The Artful Codger |
Re: the belt
"Caroline" <caroline10027remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:CUJAb.2892$_r6.1623@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > "mim" <s@s.com> wrote > > 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? > > 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). > > > 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. > > 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. > > > How would > > I be able to test for a cracked head gasket? > > 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 |
Re: the belt
"Caroline" <caroline10027remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:CUJAb.2892$_r6.1623@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > "mim" <s@s.com> wrote > > Hi all, > > > > I just bought a 1989 Honda Integra Vtec with 140 000 miles. The dealer had > > no log books on it, so I dont know when the timing belt has been changed. > > Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs to > > be changed? > > I understand there really are no easily perceived symptoms to indicate whether a > timing belt needs changing. > > Owners should go by time and mileage passed since the last change. > > You should probably consider getting a new timing belt and water pump (per > below) to be on the safe side. A timing belt that spontaneously breaks can > damage the engine and cost big bucks to fix, compared to just replacing the belt > (and pump). > > > Also one more question, the radiator seems to be losing half a litre of > > liquid every 2-3 days, although I don't see any water leaking out. A friend > > of mine said it could be a cracked head gasket (I hope not!!), but there is > > no indication of any mixture of oil and water. The hoses are fine. > > Do you even smell radiator coolant in or outside the car? Could be the water > pump (bearings or otherwise) is dying. They tend to last about as long as timing > belts. People generally have a whole new water pump put in the same time they > get a new timing belt for this reason and because the interference removal is > about the same for each. > > > How would > > I be able to test for a cracked head gasket? > > Check the engine compartment closely for a tag or markings on a firewall indicating a belt change. If no such writing that is not to say the belt was not changed however. The Artful Codger |
Re: the belt
"Caroline" <caroline10027remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:CUJAb.2892$_r6.1623@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > "mim" <s@s.com> wrote > > 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? > > 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). > > > 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. > > 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. > > > How would > > I be able to test for a cracked head gasket? > > 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 |
Re: the belt
> Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs to > be changed? > 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. |
Re: the belt
> Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs to > be changed? > 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. |
Re: the belt
> Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs to > be changed? > 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. |
Re: the belt
> Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs to > be changed? > 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. |
Re: the belt
> Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs
to > be changed? 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 > 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 > > > > |
Re: the belt
> Without pulling the engine apart, how would I be able to tell if it needs
to > be changed? 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 > 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 > > > > |
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