95 Passport engine troubles

[fromh311]

I have a 95 Honda Passport with 172K on it. It was running great key word was. Now I have a loud knocking at idle - about 1500 rpm but as soon as I rev up the engine to 2k - 4k the noise is gone but if I hit 4.5k the engine starts to sputter as if it woukl were it to have water in the gas or a bad fuel filter. I'm stumped. I've already swapped out te plugs and wires. Any thoughts?

[Ramblin Fever]

Sounds like the infamous timing belt tensioner has had it's day; it'll mimic a rod-knocking sound, most mechanics will hear it and tell you your engine's shot.

Don't believe them. If it just started and you've had the truck a while and know it has not ran low on oil, it's 90% probability to be your timing belt tensioner - if that's your original, it's been an excellent one!

When your tensioner gets weak, it'll rattle at idle (not under any pressure), then between 2-4k rpm's everything tightens up a bit, at 4k and above if your tensioner is weak, the belt maybe starting to slip at higher rpm's, which would account for the sputtering.

I doubt that it's fuel or spark plug related - mainly because of the noise you're hearing.

When my waterpump went out, which is behind the timing belt, it caused the belt to want to jump, thus my tensioner was giving the ghost - truck sounded AWFUL! And I mean BAD!

If you get the job done and plan to keep the truck, do the waterpump, timing belt tensioner, idler pulley, timing belt and any seals (camshaft/crankshaft)while you're in there. This engine is not easy to work on, and you don't want to do it twice in short time.

If you have a shop do the job you're looking at a range of $800-1k for all of it. I paid $1130 for all of it, but that did include replacing 2 hoses and a transmission service at the same time.

[fromh311]

What do I do to check the Timing Belt Tensioner? Where is the best place to purchase one if that is the problem? Thanks for the help

[fromh311]

Got my passport all taken apart. I couldn't believe how loose the timing belt is. Now I just need to get the parts. Anyone have any recommendations as to where I should get them?

[anthonyn]

Originally Posted by fromh311

Got my passport all taken apart. I couldn't believe how loose the timing belt is. Now I just need to get the parts. Anyone have any recommendations as to where I should get them?

St. Charles isuzu. Mention you heard about them on the internet and get 10% discount with free shipping.

Parts Department
Phone: 800-727-8066
Fax: 636-441-4481

Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday Closed

[surferfletch]

Original timing components with over 170K! I'm on my third set at 150-something thousand and kicking myself for even bothering with it.

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted by surferfletch

I'm on my third set at 150-something thousand and kicking myself for even bothering with it.

You and me both! Didn't have a choice on getting the 3rd set though, waterpump made that choice.

[fromh311]

Well I almost had it all apart... I just now got the crankshaft pulley bolt undone. Now I need to get off the A/C belt and the P/S Belt but I can't get either off. Any suggestions? Thanks again

[surferfletch]

Each of the three accessory belts has a different way to set the tension. You have to loosen the mounting bolts for the P/S pump and put a 3/8"drive into the square opening on the bracket to move the pump to put slack in the belt. The A/C belt is loosened by loosening a nut on the tensioner pulley and turning the tensioning nut (above the pulley).

[fromh311]

Got both belts off... woo hoo!! Now I need to line up my timing marks. Where is the timing mark on the oil pump??

[fromh311]

I think I've got it

[fromh311]

How can I tell if the hydraulic tensioner is toast?

[Canucklehead]

Originally Posted by fromh311

How can I tell if the hydraulic tensioner is toast?

If the timing belt was slapping against the timing belt cover the tensioner is done.

[surferfletch]

After removing the tensioner, turn 180* and hurl it as far as you can. That noise you heard was how you knew it was gone. Did you happen to compare the length of the two belts before installing the new one? They don't stretch that much, do they?

[fromh311]

Still waiting for my parts to get here so I can't compair them just yet. The belt on there looked to be in good shape though but since I was already in the I'm changing it out anyway.