1st - 5th Generation Civic 1973 - 1995 In the years from 1973 to 1995 Honda released its 1-5th Generation Civics.
1st Gen 1972 - July 1979
2nd Gen 1979 - 1983
3rd Gen 1984 - 1987
4th Gen 1987 - 1991
5th Gen 1992 - 1995

91 civic timing belt question

 
Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 1, 2012
  #1  
CivicTTurtle's Avatar
Thread Starter
whats a sparkplug?
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Rep Power: 0
CivicTTurtle is an unknown quantity at this point
91 civic timing belt question

I'm doing some routine maintenance (idler puller is shot) on my 91 hatch and noticed that the timing belt seemed to have an unusual amount of slack in it. Before I go any further I was wondering if anyone could tell me how much slack is normal in the timing belt. I will post some pictures. Thanks in advance
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-01-01 20.44.03.jpg
Views:	148
Size:	69.4 KB
ID:	82313   Click image for larger version

Name:	2012-01-01 20.44.58.jpg
Views:	130
Size:	64.9 KB
ID:	82314  
Old Jan 2, 2012
  #2  
ezone's Avatar
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518
ezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond repute
Re: 91 civic timing belt question

The Honda site only tells how to tension the timing belt. No mention of deflection checks.
Some slack is normal. Hard to tell if that is unusual or not. The belt can stretch a little over time and miles.

If you don't know how old the timing belt is, then just replace it, check the water pump and the tensioner pulley. Cheap insurance.
Old Jan 2, 2012
  #3  
CivicTTurtle's Avatar
Thread Starter
whats a sparkplug?
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Rep Power: 0
CivicTTurtle is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: 91 civic timing belt question

Originally Posted by ezone
The Honda site only tells how to tension the timing belt. No mention of deflection checks.
Some slack is normal. Hard to tell if that is unusual or not. The belt can stretch a little over time and miles.

If you don't know how old the timing belt is, then just replace it, check the water pump and the tensioner pulley. Cheap insurance.
Thanks. I have a new water pump and timing belt on hand but both that are currently on are in good shape. I don't want to take the crank pulley off and risk throwing off the timing to replace a perfectly good water pump and timing belt. Thats why i'd like to know how much slack is normal. It seems that usually the timing belt is pretty snug on most vehicles which is why I think this is odd.
Old Jan 2, 2012
  #4  
SpdySylvrEX's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Yulee, FL
Rep Power: 215
SpdySylvrEX will become famous soon enough
Re: 91 civic timing belt question

normally for some belts the deflection is 1/4 of the width of the belt....also, if you can twist the belt all the way around (full 180) or more, its to loose...
Old Jan 2, 2012
  #5  
BOWZ's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
BOWZ is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: 91 civic timing belt question

my 1990 doesn't have any slack. belt has 12K on it. just my .02

bowz
Old Jan 2, 2012
  #6  
kellogg6316's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: juneau, wi
Rep Power: 0
kellogg6316 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: 91 civic timing belt question

timing belts don't stretch
Old Jan 2, 2012
  #7  
SpdySylvrEX's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Yulee, FL
Rep Power: 215
SpdySylvrEX will become famous soon enough
Re: 91 civic timing belt question

Originally Posted by kellogg6316
timing belts don't stretch
Actually, rubber does stretch and since a timing belt is made of rubber, it can stretch. Is it likely? no, but it is possible...

Try the steps again for tightening the belt, just in-case something loosened up, belt is still on so it couldn't hurt.
Old Jan 2, 2012
  #8  
ezone's Avatar
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518
ezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond repute
Re: 91 civic timing belt question

Originally Posted by kellogg6316
timing belts don't stretch
Yeah, they do.
After 100k on a timing belt, you can see the difference in slack from when it was new.
Also, wear can mimic stretch.
Old Jan 3, 2012
  #9  
CivicTTurtle's Avatar
Thread Starter
whats a sparkplug?
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Rep Power: 0
CivicTTurtle is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: 91 civic timing belt question

thanks everyone for the help
Old Jan 3, 2012
  #10  
04 Honda Civic's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 2
From: New York
Rep Power: 253
04 Honda Civic is a glorious beacon of light04 Honda Civic is a glorious beacon of light04 Honda Civic is a glorious beacon of light04 Honda Civic is a glorious beacon of light04 Honda Civic is a glorious beacon of light04 Honda Civic is a glorious beacon of light
Re: 91 civic timing belt question

Juding by what I have seen in the past yours is too loose. If your belt is old then change it. If your belt is new, then your tensioner is on its way out. I wouldnt recommend driving on that for too long.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
mattdoc
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
9
Mar 14, 2017 12:10 PM
MN-02-CivicEx
Engine
28
May 2, 2015 09:11 PM
bsmiley
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
3
Apr 27, 2015 01:27 PM
dano2005
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
4
Apr 14, 2015 01:58 AM
Gunner
Engine DIY
3
Oct 6, 2012 12:37 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:54 PM.