My son just picked up an 87 CRX , the timming belt is broken. I have heard the once the timming belt is gone that the valves need to be replaced also. Any truth to this?
Thanx Steve
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
The need to replace the valves is usually because they get damaged (i.e. bent) when the belt snaps. However, there are rare occasions where the belt goes and the valves are OK. But chances are good that you will need to replace at least one of the valves.
There is also the possibility of piston damage caused by the valve. In a past non-Honda car that I use to have (a Fiat - DOHC engine), a snapped belt not only took out a couple of my exhaust valves but it managed to punch one of my intake valves through the top of the piston head.
If you have a bent valve, I would highly recommend investing some extra money and just replace all of the valves and springs (basically doing a very minor cylinder head overhaul).
I would also highly recommend that you replace the water pump when you do the timing belt. They don't cost all that much. I paid around $35 (US) - after core - new from my local AutoZone when I did my timing belt. This is also a good time to replace the thermostat since you have to drain the coolant anyway. Same with any of the radiator hoses and belts.
In conclusion .. if you're lucky and it's only the belt that needs to be replaced (no bent valves), expect to pay around $30 to $50 for a belt and it should take no more than 2 hours of labor. If you plan to do this yourself, be sure to get a decent repair manual such as the Helm (http://www.helminc.com), Chilton, Haynes or Clymer. Even if you don't plan to do the repair yourself, it's still a good idea to have a couple of good service/repair manuals in your personal library.
CRX Owners Group President (http://www.crx.org/southcal)
1990 Honda CRXsi (http://www.hooligan.cc)
ICQ # 3714283 (nickname: godzilla)
Alpine Drive (San Diego County) - February 8, 2003
http://www.crx.org/southcal/events.html
