2001 Acura Integra Engine problems

Tiny
JAPOSTOL78
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 ACURA INTEGRA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 95,000 MILES
HI, I have a 2001 integra with a B20B (CRV)motor swap in it. Just yesterday I started the engine and it idle really low then shut off. I tried to start a couple times after that but it wouldnt turn over. Before it shut off I heard a knocking noise where the cams were. I removed the valve cover to see if anything was loose or came off. Nothing.I did feel the timing belt. And it had alot of slack on the top and on the left (towards the front). The belt was really loose. Did my timing belt skip and caused the cams to be mis aligned? Would it be best to just replace the belt since a tooth may have been broken? Any advice would be good right now. Thanks.
Sunday, March 1st, 2009 AT 5:40 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
If your timing belt has a lot of slack it could be because the tension-er has failed (which is not very common on these vehicles) What is more common is a mechanic induced problem. I have seen a lot of DIY'ers not properly tension these timing belts and they have jumped a couple of teeth.

A quick way to check this is to remove the valve cover and upper timing cover. Set the crank pulley to TDC via the mark on the lower timing cover and look at the cams. If the marks are off then you have a problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
JAPOSTOL78
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Thanks for the reply. I went ahead and removed the valve cover to check out the timing belt. Unfortunately there is a row of teeth missing. So it is the timing belt that skipped. My question is; can I replace the belt and save the engine? I was not driving the car when the belt was shredded. It idled around 1000 rpm and shut off. Thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
You will not know if you have done any damage until you properly install another belt and then do a compression test.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
No, the only real way is to do a cylinder compression or cylinder leak down test.

However, the fact that it drives strong and does not misfire strongly indicates that you did no damage to the valve-train.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 AT 3:02 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Not Running Content

Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
VIDEO
Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
Instructional repair video
Engine Not Starting
GUIDE
Engine Not Starting
Over the past 20 years at 2CarPros we have identified the top problems that are easily fixed. This guide can save you a trip to the repair garage or calling a tow truck and...
VIEW MORE