Setting timing belt?

Question

Can anyone help me change & time my Timing belt for my EG8 Civic 92 model Fuel injected Engine....is it possible to change it all by myself..? in the process of changing the timing belt do you have to or MUST service other components like the injectors/throttle body in order to get the correct timing ...? if the case is that i serviced the throttle body & clean the injectors already does it means that i have to do it all over again cause i'm changing the timing blet..?

Answer 1

If you have not been doing Honda maintenance on your car yourself all this time, it will be difficult to begin with a timing belt job. It is one of the most critical jobs there is to do though it is not all that hard... just time consuming and involves a couple of special tools to make the job easy.

First, understand that the timing belt only does one thing... it keeps the valve train and the pistons in proper time with each other. You see, Hondas are interference engines which means the valves and the pistons share the same space (just not at the same time). If they ever get out of time, they risk coming into contact with eachother and that tends to ruin engines! Seriously ruin them, i.e. broken pistons, bent valves etc. It's cheaper to replace the engine than to fix it.

With things this critical, you can't just take a stab at it... you need to know what you are doing. The best place to find out FOR SURE is by buying the car's service manual from www.helminc.com In that manual, it will tell you exactly what to do to replace your timing belt.

Here are the obstacles you will encounter doing it yourself:

1. The crankshaft pulley will have to be removed and that bolt may be torqued to 180 ft.lbs! To loosen it, you will have to keep the engine from turning... yes, there is a special tool that does that. You will also have to retorque that bolt when you are done too and that takes an expensive torque wrench.

2. The timing belt is inside the timing cover of the engine and you may note that the front engine mount is smack dab in the middle of that. The timing cover is two piece to accomodate such design but the timing belt goes AROUND that mount under the cover. This means you will have to jack up the engine and remove that mount to clear the front of the engine, i.e. remove that mount. A peice of 2x4 and a small hydraulic jack works nicely.

3. You will have to remove all the spark plugs so you can rotate the engine to align the timing marks (which is a MUST or you won't know if you are off a tooth which is very easy to do!). Being off a tooth won't ruin the engine but it will run like crap and who wants to do that job over again just because of being off one tooth! Be right the first time. Align the marks first. To do that properly, you will have to remove the valve cover(s) and look down the plane of the head through the cam gear(s) and ensure the marks on the cam gear(s) are aligned with the top plane of the head when the #1 piston is at TDC or Top Dead Center which would be on the compression stroke.

The only other device that is recommended you change when doing a timing belt is the water pump because it is located under the timing cover, under the timing belt (it's driven by the timing belt) and getting to that later would be a real pain in the butt when you are already there to do the timing belt. It's a perfect time to do the water pump. After all, how many miles are on that old water pump anyway? Spend the money on a real Honda water pump... it's too hard to change even for a lifetime warranty from Cheapo Mart.

The throttle body and injectors have nothing to do with the cam timing and pistons... if you don't know this then you really should do your homework well before you start this job or it's going to cost you tons more to have someone else finish it or correct something you did wrong. Seriously... I wish you luck and would be glad to help every step of the way but this job is a tough one for a beginner... even a good beginner.

Get that Helms manual and examine the process closely before you start. The book(s) are worth their weight in Gold and I get one for every one of my Hondas. Trust me on this one.

Good luck!

Answer 2

first off you need not do any of that extra stuff. The timing belt goes around the camshaft and the engine crank...on this model it may drive the distributor unless it is distributorless. Loosen the belt tensioner...then remove the old belt. before installing the new belt...line the crankshaft up on the timing mark then line the camshaft gear. When you get the new belt it will come folded over...causing a natural curve in the belt...when installing the belt fit this curve where the tensioner is...this greatly helps in installing the belt. Once the belt is installed release the tensioner and that should get it. reassemble the other parts such as the front pullys and such. It would be wise to purchase a chiltons or similar manual on the car to help you locate the proper timing marks for the cam and crank.

Answer 3

definately one of those jobs where you really want to take your time and be very careful! your crank pulley should have a red line with a white line on either side on the outer rim. this will really be visible with a timing light. OR: if you can get the tensioner off without rotating the cam(s) or crank pulley AT ALL, then just slide the new belt on and tighten down the tensioner. if you want to do it the long/hard way: take out the number 1 spark plug (should be the far right one: driver side) and put a long screwdriver down in the hole. rotate the crankpulley by hand (a 19mm socket and a 1/2 or 3/4 ratchet will do this) until the screwdriver lifts as high as it will go until it starts to go back down. this is TDC (top dead center). this is where you want everything to be when you have the new belt on. if it is off by a few degrees, you should be ok. if your car idles too high or too low after install, get out the timing light and make sure your red line (on the crank pulley) is lining up with TDC. if it needs adjusting, loosen your ignitor cap and SLIGHTLY rotate in either direction until the engine runs as it should.

Answer 4

been a long time,but, first off get a manual at a local parts store. there should be timing marks on on each of the cams,crank shaft and intermediate shaft. BE very carefull to get all of them timed to the belt correctly, keeping in mind, retensioning of the belt. also, if the intermediate cam runs the distributor, you have to, get that timing correct also. You didn't say what engine,soI'm being general. Finally, once you think you have it right, tirn the engine over two times by HAND, never use the starter. Check for mechanical binding. If it cranks over by hand easily(excluding compression stokes),then you can try the starter. If it binds mechanically, you have something wrong. Stop and find wher the timing is off. Good luck.

Answer 5

The timing belt runs the cam (or cams) on the top of the engine. Yes it is possible to change it yourself, but you must be VERY careful. Otherwise, you'll bend the valves.

You should be able to find a guide to help you position the upper and lower cogs of the crank and cams. You need to position to with-in one tooth. When I was a kid I changed the timing belt on my VW without too much trouble. I bought a Chilton's guide to do it. Should be a plethora of stuff out there. It isn't technically challenging, but you have to be careful to line stuff up right.