1990 Acura Integra Timing Belt Problems

by Justin
(Prattville, AL USA)

I just did a lot of work to this car. I replaced the spark plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, water pump, hoses, coolant switch, spark plugs, had the head reworked, installed new timing belt, timing covers, changed all the fluids, fuel pump, gas tank, belts, hoses, and a bunch of gaskets (including head gasket). I was sure to torque it down at the right torque specs. About a week ago, I finished putting everything back together and my valves were making noises. I figured out it was my timing belt. It was a little loose. Right after I cranked it, it ran fine for about 5 minutes, then I hit the gas pedal and it died. I checked the injectors and could hear them pulsing. My check engine light also came on (it was not on before and had run just fine except for the valve noise). After I let it idle for a little while (which it is idling at the lowest point before it dies) I hit the gas and it slowly accelerated. Then I hit the gas and let off several times, the last time I did it, it accelerated to 5 thousand rmps and died. I can crank it right back up, but cannot accelerate the motor. Also, when I was letting it run, it was running at normal operating temperature. I noticed it started burning oil and a saw a puddle of moisture coming out of the tail pipe. my question is what could this be? How can I check the check engine light code?

Steve Says,
It sounds like you have done a lot of work on your car. Unfortunately from your story it sounds like the most likely cause of your problem is bent valves. With the amount of work that you did it is possible that there is some other problem but given all of your symptoms and the fact that the timing belt was "loose" I would say that bent valves are very likely.

As far as getting the codes checked, most auto repair shops would do this for you for free or a small fee. You can also buy code readers from most auto parts stores.

At this point I would highly recommend that you at least have a good mechanic look at your car. You don't want to pull the cylinder head back of unless you are completely sure that the valves are bent.

I hope that there is something else causing your problem. Good luck with the diagnosis.