Timing Belt

[AcuraVigorOwner]

I recently noticed my '94 Vigor's timing belt makes a howling/humming sound when the engine is on. I should have checked it when I replaced the other three belts but didn't notice the sound until after I changed them. This either means one of two things: it's simply too tight and needs to be adjusted, or it needs to be replaced. Any tips on telling which problem the symptoms indicate? Either way Acura recommends changing the belt at 90,000 miles or 7 years, and since it is a '94, it is exactly at its second 7-year interval which means I should replace it anyway. I would just like to know if I should rush this fix, or if I have a couple months to spare.
Just recently flushed all fluids, changed all belts (except timing!), replaced PCV valve fuel filter and air filter, replaced spark plugs and wires, ignition switch, oil, ball joints, and A/C compressor, condenser, and drier. This car runs and looks absolutely great and I want to keep it that way!

[duckdog]

Did the idler pulley get replaced when the timing belt was changed? Water pump?

Two possible causes, there are more.

Good luck!

[Bob01721]

Originally Posted by AcuraVigorOwner

"... I would just like to know if I should rush this fix, or if I have a couple months to spare..."

Unfortunately, T-belts don't usually give any warning when they go. If your belt has seven years on it, there's no way to tell if it's gonna go this afternoon or last another five years.

"... This car runs and looks absolutely great and I want to keep it that way...!"

Good! If they're maintained properly, Vigors are amazing cars.

[Acura TL]

True with the Timing Belt. You can't tell when it's gonna go. The TB is enclosed inside a TB cover with probably some silicone strip around the cover channel.

I have a 96' Acura TL 2.5 currently with about 147k+ miles on it and I haven't changed the TB, Idler pulley and water pump. I bought the stuffs about a year ago and in my garage. I didn't have a chance to change the TB - will try this Spring. A friend of mine changed his TB on his 93-95' Acura Legend when it had about 115k miles on it. He said the TB still looked new when he removed it. I am gambling on my current TB right now in my car. Just hope it will give me time till Spring when it's a little warmer and I can work on it with a help of my friend.

[Bob01721]

Originally Posted by Acura TL

"... I can work on it with a help of my friend..."

Do you have a shop manual? It'll sure come in handy. There's also this article about the Vigor's T-belt. Yours should be pretty similar.

[AcuraVigorOwner]

I have no idea when the pulley and water pump have been replaced so it's anyone's guess.

I have the Chilton Acura manual for my Vigor, which isn't as good as the actual Acura manual but is a good resource anyway, as well as internet resources including your site Bob which is always a great help, so it shouldn't be a problem. I appreciate the input guys!

[Acura TL]

Originally Posted by Bob01721

Do you have a shop manual? It'll sure come in handy. There's also this article about the Vigor's T-belt. Yours should be pretty similar.

Unfortunately I don't have a shop manual. But if I ever get stuck, I can call my uncle's shop and ask for his instruction(s). He used to work for Honda for over 10 yrs. -- and with his own shop over 9 yrs. He's really a nice guy in helping me out with my car -- although I did most of the work, with his instructions and pointers. Back in Dec. 2006, I worked on the exhaust manifold pipe [one had a crack around the middle one] -- had to get it welded. Then worked on front disc brake rotors [this was a hell of a job - 8 hrs.] . I was swearing at those Japanese engineers....LOL..while working on removing the two rotors. I had to remove the lower balljoint, pop out the wheel bearing [with use of a sledge hammer] and this huge like socket, about 3" in diameter. It took about 10 min. to bang each one out. Anyway...all I can say, this type of job was a painful job.

Just a curiosity, Bob are you a professional auto mechanice or a DIY home auto mechanic like me and others?

Thanks for the advices....

[Bob01721]

Originally Posted by Acura TL

"... I don't have a shop manual...."

The Acura Vigor Club has one available to members. It's a free download, but you hafta join the club to get the password.

"... Just a curiosity, Bob are you a professional auto mechanice or a DIY home auto mechanic like me and others...?"

Just an ol' guy who's been doing all his own maintenance since the late 60's and who loves Vigors.

[AcuraVigorOwner]

Just thought I'd give an update on the timing belt. I had it professionally replaced a couple of weeks ago and everything seems to run great. The pulley bolt wouldn't come off so they had to break it and put in a new pulley as well. I had to chuckle when they said they thought the timing belt they replaced might have been the original and I had it replaced at almost 150K miles or 14 years after production (Acura recommends replacing the Vigor's timing belt at 90K or 7 years). A true testament to the resiliency of the Vigor!

[shawnhu]

Originally Posted by Acura TL

True with the Timing Belt. You can't tell when it's gonna go. The TB is enclosed inside a TB cover with probably some silicone strip around the cover channel.

You'll need to remove the valve cover in order to remove the TB cover. There's no silicone strip around the TB cover.

Originally Posted by Acura TL

I have a 96' Acura TL 2.5 currently with about 147k+ miles on it and I haven't changed the TB, Idler pulley and water pump.

You should definately get that TB changed ASAP! Most Vigors don't get past 140k with the original belt. I've seen way too many Vigor's in junk yards due to destroyed valves from T-Belt breaks. Don't let your TL follow that fate.

[shawnhu]

Originally Posted by AcuraVigorOwner

Just thought I'd give an update on the timing belt. I had it professionally replaced a couple of weeks ago and everything seems to run great. The pulley bolt wouldn't come off so they had to break it and put in a new pulley as well. I had to chuckle when they said they thought the timing belt they replaced might have been the original and I had it replaced at almost 150K miles or 14 years after production (Acura recommends replacing the Vigor's timing belt at 90K or 7 years). A true testament to the resiliency of the Vigor!

Good for you! You're one of the luckier ones that didn't have the T-Belt snap on you at that mileage. The pulley bolt was destroyed and then properly removed from the engine right? I believe the original T-Belt was made by Goodyear and sold as a Honda belt.

[AcuraVigorOwner]

Yes they had to crack the pulley bolt and replaced it with a new one along with the belt. Apparrently Acura tended put the Vigor's pulley bolt on extra tight, even tighter than their own specifications, which is a semi-common problem when doing the first timing belt change. That is why they thought it may have been the first timing belt change the car had ever had.

By the way, just to make things clear, I have owned the car for just over two years so any neglect the car has received is not attributable to me! I do most of the maintenance myself when I can find the time, and have any other repairs/maintenance done professionally. As I said before, my Vig is in great overall shape; the people who did my belt couldn't believe the shape it was in for a '94. I fully intend to keep it that way.