Timing Belt

[AAMIR SHAIKH]

Dear fellow NSXers:

I have a very interesting problem with my 91 NSX. Just recently I took the car to my mechanic to get the timing belt and the water pump replaced, only to find out that it was changed before I bought the car. Apparently the mechanic took the parts off and reinstalled them. Now the car has no power and runs like it is running on only 4 cylinderss. The plugs become black and it looks like the timing is off. The car has 72K miles and is in impecable condition. Never gave me any problems. My mechanic has no clue on what happend. I am reluctant to give the car to the dealer because their prices are outrageous.

Has anybody encountered these problems after opening the timing belt or knows what is the problem Need help desperately.

Thank you very much

 

[Briank]

AAMIR


Are you getting a check engine light? If the plugs are black I would check the fuel return line and fuel pressure regulator but I am thinking the timing belt is on wrong. One or more of the cam shafts are out of position. Take it to the dealer and have them sort out what’s going on and have you mechanic pay the bill or better have him take it so he is directly on the hook for the bill. I think you may be very fortunate to come out of this with out permanent engine damage.

BrianK

 

[DanO]

Which plugs are black? (refer to Service Manual page 6-54 for cylinder # diagram). When you say it "looks like the timing is off" what exactly do you mean?

I'd have a qualified mechanic, probably at a dealership, check/fix the timing and then run a compression test to see if there is any engine damage. It is possible that the timing is off enough that a few valves are bent. I would not drive the car unit this is all straightened out.

Good luck and keep us posted,

DanO

 

[Larry Bastanza]

DanO and Brian are right on. The T-belt is probably out of time, and the real question is how much.

Just to ease your anxiety a little, the cams can be off buy a tooth or two and the engine will run terribly, BUT there will be no damage. If you have compression in all cylinders, even if it is not even, lets say 20-30 psi off each other, just get the belt put on right. I am trying to be optimistic here.

Did you have the valves adjusted when the belt was changed? Since tight valves will cause some of these symptoms too.

The main point is, it is much easier to put the belt on wrong then right, sounds like your mechanic may have been a "first timer", without a service manual?


Good Luck,
LarryB