Rep Power: 0

Hey all!

I bought this 2002 EX AT Vic (VTEC) around two months ago and the car is in very good conditions (around 87K miles). Mostly the previous owner seems to have been very careful and the revisions of the car are almost all up to date. However he had replaced the alternator and steering belts BUT NOT the timing belt (he warned me about this), and as he didn't know to tell me if the owner before him had replaced it I decided not to wait anymore and do it ASAP. So this morning I brought the car to a shop to replace it with the parts I bought myself (very good quality parts).

Well, when I picked the car back this afternoon I found it pretty fine EXCEPT that there is a whining coming from the engine that wasn't there before – specially in low RPM and idle. It's not too loud but it's loud enough that I can hear it even with my closed windows.

I asked about the whine to the mechanic that made the repair and he told me that it's because the belt is too tight and that it will break in after a little while and will stop whining by itself. He told me that the belt tensioner is automatic and so he couldn't adjust its pressure to ease the tension.

To be honest his explanation does make sense for me, but I am not a mechanic so I would like to know how true is this and if there is any danger to the engine if I drive the car this way. I have a small trip tomorrow morning (around 60 miles total including a quarter length of this way climbing a hill) and I should not overtake 3000 RPM or so. Also in 20 days I have a longer trip to do with my wife and my mother in law (something around 800 miles) so I would like to be sure that the car will be okay by then.

Thanks for advice!

 
Rep Power: 118

What parts exactly did you supply too him?
What kind of shop was it?

Why do you think it’s the timing belt making the noise instead of the power steering or ac/alternator?

I don’t think it’s really possible to install the timing belt “too tight” but it’s certainly possible to install it “too loose” which would be of concern..

 
Rep Power: 0

"Gates" belt and "SKF" tensioner. The parts are made in Brasil (where I live) as well my Honda Civic.

A mechanic service shop.

Because the belt and the tensioner were the only parts replaced.

Well, I am just repeating what the mechanic told me. I am not a mechanic myself, but it seems to me that it IS possible if the tensioner is over-tensioning the belt. But I may be wrong...

 
Rep Power: 118

The other belts had to come off to do the timing belt job, possible they were just put back on tighter and that’s the noise your hearing.

 
Rep Power: 0

I see. I didn't know that the other belts needed to be removed to work on the timing belt. Thinking about this what you said make all sense. However I opened the hood this morning, turned the engine on and observed. Actually the whine really seems to come from the timing belt house though...