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Replacing timing belt... anything I should NOT do?
So, like a dummy, I pulled the old belt off before getting engine in time. Can I just put the new belt on, manually crank both (COUNTERCLOCKWISE) and see if all the marks line up? Or should I just turn the cam and crank shafts separately?
Thankfully I have the engine on an engine stand where I can get to everything very easily.
I just don’t want to mess anything up.
thanks guys
Re: Replacing timing belt... anything I should NOT do?
Did you mean you took the belt off before you put the engine at TDC? It should been in time at all times while the belt is on.
In all likelihood, the engine will still be in time so you should get away with throwing the belt on and not finicking with it. Not a big deal if it isn’t; just take the belt off and adjust it.
Re: Replacing timing belt... anything I should NOT do?
I’m assuming the engine was in time before i took the belt off. I’m sure it was.
I guess I’m mainly asking (and you have affirmed it) can I move the crank shaft and cam shaft separately to align them? Won’t hurt anything? As long as I go CCW
Re: Replacing timing belt... anything I should NOT do?
Honda engines are interference.
as in, if the valves and the piston are not moving in synch...
They are going to end their platonic love from a distance and the piston will give a hearthy kiss to the valves.
Sadly, the valves will not like the experience, since the piston can be a brute.
Valves can bend to the piston will and break down from the experience.
Re: Replacing timing belt... anything I should NOT do?
Originally Posted by sdaidoji
Honda engines are interference.
as in, if the valves and the piston are not moving in synch...
They are going to end their platonic love from a distance and the piston will give a hearthy kiss to the valves.
Sadly, the valves will not like the experience, since the piston can be a brute.
Valves can bend to the piston will and break down from the experience.
Okay, but can I move them separately just the little required to align both at ‘TDC’?
Re: Replacing timing belt... anything I should NOT do?
Originally Posted by EM2-EMMA
Or are you saying don’t even move them separately a little?
I'm not an expert here, but I think the following would be okay...
Where the pistons are now, find out which ones are lower in their travel and which are higher. Then turn the crankshaft so that the pistons are ALL in the middle of their travel (halfway up/down in the cylinder). At that point, you can rotate the camshaft to where you need it without worrying about interference between the valves and the tops of the pistons. I believe at that point you can safely put the crankshaft at TDC.
What NOT to do:
DO NOT force the crankshaft or camshaft to turn if you are feeling any binding. You will feel some resistance on the camshaft because of the valve springs, but that will release once the cam lobe has passed and it should be obvious. Hopefully it will be easy to tell if the valves are making contact with the piston. And when you feel that happen, BACK OFF and reset things.
Re: Replacing timing belt... anything I should NOT do?
Bach has the right idea here.
Find where the crank is now, slap the crank timing belt pulley on if you removed it. Also, remove the spark plugs if you haven't already. Line up the mark on the pulley with whichever red line it is closest to (pic below). It doesn't matter if you rotate it clockwise or counter-clockwise, turn it either way to whichever line is closest. Doing this will put all pistons at about half way and ensures they won't hit valves. Still, rotate the crank slowly. If you feel resistance do not force it, it should turn fairly easy. Next set the camshaft at TDC, you can again rotate whichever direction you please. With the cam at TDC now set the crank as well. When you do this you want to rotate whichever direction is closer. If you have the crank lined up with the red line on the left then rotate clockwise, if it's on the right rotate counter-clockwise.
The "never rotate clockwise" thing is only relevant when the timing belt is on. If you rotate clockwise then it can cause the timing belt to jump teeth on one of the pulleys.
Re: Replacing timing belt... anything I should NOT do?
take your time. Pull the spark plugs beforehand so you're not fighting compression strokes while rotating the crank. Set to TDC before you start taking anything apart (other than spark plugs). Fun fact, a dowel dropped into the #1 spark plug hole can be used to make sure that the #1 piston is at its highest point, then use the marks to make sure everything is set to TDC. A flashlight pointing downwards on the lower TDC marks helps immensely, at least I found it to be helpful. It casts a pointer shadow (if aimed correctly) on the crank pulley to line the marks up and cross reference the cam gear position.
Truth be told, it's not a hard procedure, just more daunting than anything.
Re: Replacing timing belt... anything I should NOT do?
1.Yeah...do not attempt to start the engine until you are damn sure it is in proper time and belt has appropriate tension on it.
2. Do not over torque the water pump.
3. Do not use a crappy valve cover gasket if you are replacing it.. use a Honda one.
4. If you have the oil pump leak DO NOT say... oh I will get to that later. Do it now.
