Timing questions!!!!

I just bought a 88 prelude 4ws for $325 cash, but the timing belt has about 8 teeth missing. I was wondering, since this is a interference engine, what percentage of people had other engine problems when their timing belt went out? Or did you just have to replace the timing belt? I am just trying to weigh my options, because I can replace a timing belt, but any valve problems, I would rather have a pro deal with it. Any info is helpful!!!

I just bought a 88 prelude 4ws for $325 cash, but the timing belt has about 8 teeth missing. I was wondering, since this is a interference engine, what percentage of people had other engine problems when their timing belt went out? Or did you just have to replace the timing belt? I am just trying to weigh my options, because I can replace a timing belt, but any valve problems, I would rather have a pro deal with it. Any info is helpful!!!


you need to go to a dealer if you need a pro. all we can do here is guess because we cant see your car.

Hey buddy, i'm not asking you to see my car. But there have been previous posts of preludes timing belts slipping, i'm just seeing if this engine has a reputation of bending a valve when that happens, etc, etc. I don't even have my car yet, so I can't even look at it, it hasn't been towed here yet, so I am just trying to get a percentage before I look at it, because even I don't know what to expect. So anyone that has a Lude and had timing belt issues before, let me know what came out of it please......

I give up.... if anyone understands what i'm asking......

Hey buddy, i'm not asking you to see my car. But there have been previous posts of preludes timing belts slipping, i'm just seeing if this engine has a reputation of bending a valve when that happens, etc, etc. I don't even have my car yet, so I can't even look at it, it hasn't been towed here yet, so I am just trying to get a percentage before I look at it, because even I don't know what to expect. So anyone that has a Lude and had timing belt issues before, let me know what came out of it please......



Go to a dealer and talk to them about your problem.

The dealers are the pro.

dealers are the pros ... haha, thats far from true ... they just charge the highest hourly rates. Find an honest person to take it too, but if they need to take the engine apart to check the valves, the are going to charge you for how many hours it takes. If you can tell if the valves are messed up yourself I would start taking it apart and check. If it looks bent or damaged, then take it to a certified mechanic ... if it looks ok, replace the belt and see how it goes.

Cheapest way to go is to replace the timing belt and see how it runs. If youi've done it before, it will take a couple of hours. If not, probably all day. You'll need a long 12mm box wrench that's not angled to loosen one of the idler pulleys, and the adjusting nuts for the alternator and power steering pump are hard to get at. Also the timing marks are a little tricky so turn the engine over by hand at least once to make sure both cams are lined up right. If the valves are already bent, you can't hurt the engine; it'll just run rough. good luck

ok ya i just replaced mine and i was told 2 watch if the belt has slipped 2 bad and thats the reason y it doesnt run then u can almost bet there are valves bent. thankfully mine werent and i spent $200

I would also say to replace the timing belt first then see a pro. There is a chance that you may not have bent valves. On my other 88 I broke the timing belt upon starting and didnt bend'em up. And it shouldnt take you more than 2 hours to replace it. Easy money man. After gettin the cover off put the belt on. Then set your TDC on the crank. Set your cam gears to the up position with the lines level to the head. Rotate crankshaft counter clockwise 3 teeth to get the tension out and tighten the tentioner. Of course thats the easy part. getting the pastic off to put the belt on can be a pain. After you jack the motor up and pull the motor mount it wont be so bad.