Morning guys-

Please don't flame or shoot me because I am posting 'Civic' question on Accord forum. But for some reason I really like this forum, have a lot of knowledgeable, mature and respectful people

Now coming back to the point, we replaced a timing belt on 2003 Honda Civic LX(A/T, with 105k miles) nearly 2 months ago. Since then it's running like a champ.

Yesterday car randomly died while driving, never did that before and we have had the car for more than 3 years now.

Now, when we try to crank the car, hear cranking but car does not start. Tried to replace a battery, but still it wouldn't start.

I tried to start after removing Crank position sensor, to see if its a timing problem, but still same issue and it didn't start. Car does have gas and all electric is functional in it.

What else could it be wrong and what are my possible next steps to bring it back on the road?

Any help or guidance for troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated.

P.S: Few months back, after replacing timing belt, exact same issue happened once before and at that time we were able to start the car after removing crank position sensor and then had to do whole timing belt again to align the timing marks, since timing was off.

This is the 3rd time we would have to do whole timing belt again to just align the timing, if it's a timing issue.

Why timing is going off, is it a tensioner problem? Why timing belt is skipping teeth for timing?

 

If you're worried about skipping timing, the first thing is to open the upper timing cover and look at the timing marks. Hopefully just to rule it out.

If it's not the timing, then you'll want to figure out lack-of-fuel or lack-of-spark.
One good way is a long shot of spraying throttlebody-cleaner into the throttle body. Then try to start. If it fires up for a few seconds, then you know the spark is OK.

Let us know how that goes so we can suggest next steps.

 

Thanks so much JB for replying.

So there is spark, tried TB cleaner on throttle plate, it cranks but does not start. Also, can hear fuel pump engaging. Not sure if it helps, but we have used all genuine Honda parts, like T/B, W/P etc...

Pulled upper timing cover yesterday and feel like timings marks(Cam/Crank) do not line up properly and seems off.

What are possible next steps or you suggest?

 

If the marks are off, well not much else to say beside time to open it up again.

Is it getting a nice "blue" spark?

 

I should've said if the timing marks don't line up, then don't try anything else until you fix that timing.

I think the D-series engine TB tensioner is similar to F-series in the sense that it doesn't actively spring. You set some tension then lock it into position by tightening a nut (or bolt).

How tight or loose is the belt? You should be able to take the long-span of the belt (closest to the radiator) and just be able to twist it 90-degrees. You should not be able to have enough slack to lift it off the sprocket.

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Spark...?
You say with TB cleaner it cranks but does not start. If there is spark it will start & run for a couple seconds and then stall. I'm not sure just what you mean by saying it does not start.

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Actually, even though it's a Civic, I think it belongs in General Tech. Topic isn't horribly far away from Accord F-series.

 

Yes, it's getting spark, it's daylight so I couldn't check if it's nice blue, but there's definitely a spark.

But my question is, why timing is going off, this is the second time this issue has happened? Timing issue has started after doing the T/B. Before T/B, never had any issue with the timings.

While adjusting the tension of the belt, should I touch tensioner or not at all, tensioner spring will take care of tension?

Belt is pretty tight and there's no slack in it at all. Yes, with TB cleaner still it does not start, only crank and does not start/run at all.

May I please post it in General Tech section or can you please guys move it there?

As always, really appreciate your help and cooperation guys

 

I already moved it to Gen.Tech.

Not sure if there's an easy way (on a Civic) to grab the tensioner & pull it upwards. The spring is supposed to do it - IF you use this method:
1) Loosen the tensioner-lock bolt.
2) Using a socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt; turn the crank just a bit forwards (move the amount of just a few belt-teeth). That will make the front-span of the belt tight, while any slack moves over to the side where the tensioner is.
3) While holding the wrench (to prevent the crank from moving back any little bit), tighten the tensioner pulley bolt.

However...
If the timing keeps moving, then maybe you should check whether the crankshaft pulley itself is slipping. The vibration-damper consists of an outer pulley, a center hub, and between the 2 is a layer of hard rubber. That layer of rubber might be deteriorating from oil or just age.

Make a chalk mark across the hub out to the rim of the pulley. If that mark moves over time, then you'll know you need a new pulley.

 

Thanks so much, I am going to post few picts this weekend.

Maybe you can then advise, if I can do anything with tensioner or rubber is going bad for the pulley? I might be wrong, but haven't seen any rubber with the pulley.

Stay tuned for picts.

 

The layer of rubber in the pulley is so hard & thin that you don't always recognize that it's even there. First glance it looks like a simple groove/feature around the pulley. It's probably halfway out from the center of the pulley.

 

Thanks guys for helping out.

One of the strange thing we noticed while cracking crank pulley bolt is, it did not take much effort with a long steel pipe, it opened pretty easily. While in the past we had to literally dance on the pipe to crack the bolt. Does crank pulley bolt has anything to do with mechanical timing?

Please have a look on the attached crank pulley and let me know if you need any other pictures which can help troubleshoot?

If tensioner pictures would help, can take and upload them over the weekend?