Dang man. Such a bummer. Do you know what brand belt? And the speed you were going when it broke?
Broken Timing Belt/ Reman Engine
Hello All, I have been reading this forum since I bought a Ridgeline in 2010 for tips/tricks. I finally decided to register to give info about timing belt breakage/bad luck.
I am having to replace my engine because my belt broke even though I had it replaced after I bought the truck and reading about hazards of not doing so. The belt that broke only had about 50,000 miles on it when it broke in the middle of I-10 in New Orleans at peak traffic time when everyone gets off work. Needless to say, it was scary losing power and coasting trying to cross 4 lanes of traffic to get to the side of the road.
I really did not know what happened, so I tried to restart the engine (I can hear the gasps saying OH NO). Well you guessed it, I found out that I screwed up the engine and would have to get a used, reman, or new one. I chose the reman because it was only about $500 more that a "used" one. I figured that the reman to new specs with new guts would be a better deal than guessing whether a used one was treated properly.
I decided to also replace the radiator, hoses, engine mounts, plugs, etc. since it will be basically a new truck -- the outside/interior are in great shape--hence the reman engine etc.
Any other suggestions as to also replace besides what I told you would be very helpful. This will be in process this coming week.
A word to the wise if your engine dies DO NOT TRY TO START IT AGAIN !!!
Thanks and be gentile please,
La. Mikey
I am having to replace my engine because my belt broke even though I had it replaced after I bought the truck and reading about hazards of not doing so. The belt that broke only had about 50,000 miles on it when it broke in the middle of I-10 in New Orleans at peak traffic time when everyone gets off work. Needless to say, it was scary losing power and coasting trying to cross 4 lanes of traffic to get to the side of the road.
I really did not know what happened, so I tried to restart the engine (I can hear the gasps saying OH NO). Well you guessed it, I found out that I screwed up the engine and would have to get a used, reman, or new one. I chose the reman because it was only about $500 more that a "used" one. I figured that the reman to new specs with new guts would be a better deal than guessing whether a used one was treated properly.
I decided to also replace the radiator, hoses, engine mounts, plugs, etc. since it will be basically a new truck -- the outside/interior are in great shape--hence the reman engine etc.
Any other suggestions as to also replace besides what I told you would be very helpful. This will be in process this coming week.
A word to the wise if your engine dies DO NOT TRY TO START IT AGAIN !!!
Thanks and be gentile please,
La. Mikey
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
The damage was done before you tried to restart it. That's why it stopped in the first place. You might have done some damage trying to turn it over again, but you weren't just slapping in a new belt either way. Don't beat yourself up over trying to restart.
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Wow, I've been here since I got mine new and I can't remember anyone else having that happen. What bad luck.
On here we talk about that catastrophe and why and when we should change out the belts but you are the only one that I know of where it actually happened.
On here we talk about that catastrophe and why and when we should change out the belts but you are the only one that I know of where it actually happened.
Sorry to hear about that La. Mikey.Hello All, I have been reading this forum since I bought a Ridgeline in 2010 for tips/tricks. I finally decided to register to give info about timing belt breakage/bad luck.
I am having to replace my engine because my belt broke even though I had it replaced after I bought the truck and reading about hazards of not doing so. The belt that broke only had about 50,000 miles on it when it broke in the middle of I-10 in New Orleans at peak traffic time when everyone gets off work. Needless to say, it was scary losing power and coasting trying to cross 4 lanes of traffic to get to the side of the road.
I really did not know what happened, so I tried to restart the engine (I can hear the gasps saying OH NO). Well you guessed it, I found out that I screwed up the engine and would have to get a used, reman, or new one. I chose the reman because it was only about $500 more that a "used" one. I figured that the reman to new specs with new guts would be a better deal than guessing whether a used one was treated properly.
I decided to also replace the radiator, hoses, engine mounts, plugs, etc. since it will be basically a new truck -- the outside/interior are in great shape--hence the reman engine etc.
Any other suggestions as to also replace besides what I told you would be very helpful. This will be in process this coming week.
A word to the wise if your engine dies DO NOT TRY TO START IT AGAIN !!!
Thanks and be gentile please,
La. Mikey
Did you notice or hear any valve chatter prior to the breaking?
Normally the belt will stretch allowing valves to interfere resulting in valve chatter/clatter. I've changed many timing belts that looked new in condition but had valve noise.
Did they change the tensioner; idlers; water pump, etc?
If they only changed the belt and no other components I would be p*ssed.
One or more of the other items may have failed causing your issue would be my bet.
Under "Normal" operating conditions I believe Honda recommends changing the timing belt/components every 105K miles or 7 years.
Under "Extreme" operating conditions I believe it's: 60k again at 105k and again at 120k miles.
*Extreme:
""If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under 20°F, 29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).""
There are more recommendations for extreme condition, it's in the owners manual also.
Agreed..op what is miles on truck? Another vote for waiting on timing belt imo 150000.. This is 2 failures after changing..0 original breakSorry to hear about that La. Mikey.
Did you notice or hear any valve chatter prior to the breaking?
Normally the belt will stretch allowing valves to interfere resulting in valve chatter/clatter. I've changed many timing belts that looked new in condition but had valve noise.
Did they change the tensioner; idlers; water pump, etc?
If they only changed the belt and no other components I would be p*ssed.
One or more of the other items may have failed causing your issue would be my bet.
Under "Normal" operating conditions I believe Honda recommends changing the timing belt/components every 105K miles or 7 years.
Under "Extreme" operating conditions I believe it's: 60k again at 105k and again at 120k miles.
*Extreme:
""If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under 20°F, 29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).""
There are more recommendations for extreme condition, it's in the owners manual also.
LA-Mikey, just glad you got across I-10 in NOLA, without incident. As for attempting to restart causing any additional damage, like others said, doubtful, it's an interference engine, most if not all of the damage was done before you reached a stop on the shoulder of the freeway.
Please keep us informed on the process of the reman, Eng source, OTD price, any other thoughts on the process.
Also, where did you get the TB service, what was else was done at the same time, any other service since, OEM or Aftermarket parts, type of use since, and any other additional thoughts. Like any strange noises, fuel consumption changes, or possible warning signs.
FWIW, having lost an engine on a Pontiac Sunbird, also an interference engine, I don't remember any specific issues prior, but I didn't own it, and wasn't the full time driver, nor did I know much about the vehicles maintenance history at the time of the incident.
Best of Luck
Please keep us informed on the process of the reman, Eng source, OTD price, any other thoughts on the process.
Also, where did you get the TB service, what was else was done at the same time, any other service since, OEM or Aftermarket parts, type of use since, and any other additional thoughts. Like any strange noises, fuel consumption changes, or possible warning signs.
FWIW, having lost an engine on a Pontiac Sunbird, also an interference engine, I don't remember any specific issues prior, but I didn't own it, and wasn't the full time driver, nor did I know much about the vehicles maintenance history at the time of the incident.
Best of Luck
La. Mikey,
What company are you going with for your remanufactured engine?
What company are you going with for your remanufactured engine?
As the others have said, the damage was done immediately when that belt broke. The instant those camshafts stopped spinning (but the engine didn't, because it was being spun by the transmission in gear), valves and pistons collided. If anything, it probably cranked over pretty fast on the shoulder, since there's no compression in many of the cylinders and all valves were already bent out of the way.
That's a real bummer. I, too, would be interested to know the brand of parts used in the replacement job and what parts were replaced. It could be a learning experience for all of us.
That's a real bummer. I, too, would be interested to know the brand of parts used in the replacement job and what parts were replaced. It could be a learning experience for all of us.
I don't ask this in ill will, but what does waiting until 150,000 miles gain for you? If you're of the belief that a replaced belt will break either way, why not just never replace it, and wait until the OEM belt breaks?Another vote for waiting on timing belt imo 150000.. This is 2 failures after changing..0 original break
Alot of people here with hindsight, I would be willing to bet everyone on this forum would have tried to restart their RL after losing power...Don't beat yourself up over trying to restart
I think all the broken timing belts on here have been after the first TB had been changed.
20,000 miles ago our Ridgeline had the timing belt, water pump, belt tensioner and every pulley replaced. Friday night while I was driving 65 MPH, the Ridgeline just quit running. This made me think maybe I didn't tighten something up, or possibly one of the new parts failed? All I could think of until today was, what went wrong?
This morning I removed all of the timing belt covers to find the timing belt in pieces, the crank sensor, wiring harness, oil pump cover, bottom timing belt cover and crank washer either bent or broken. When the belt broke, it wadded up around the crank. Putting strain where none was meant to be. It looked like there was 10 pounds of crap in a five pound bag :act002:
After doing some research, I found on All Data there is a TSB for this related chirping sound from the timing belt area. What happens is, because there is a TSB from Honda about this very subject. It gives the reader a good idea of what will take place if this fix isn't taken care of. The timing belt makes this noise because the belt guide roller apparently isn't allowing the timing belt to properly track the way it should. Honda's remedy is to cut a relief into the oil pump housing and install an angled shim, so the timing belt roller will now run true and allow the timing belt to track the way it should have from the beginning! Why this wasn't fixed at the design stage? I have no idea!
WARNING: If the timing belt is chirping? Eventually the timing belt will track (or walk) toward the crank trigger metal bracket, eventually cutting it and leaving an expensive mess in it's wake.
So.......... If you own a Ridgeline and hear this chirping sound? Don't take it for granted it's the serpentine belt like I did. Had I inspected this more closely before assuming it was no major problem? I may have saved a few bucks! Just replacing the timing belt isn't going to keep future problems at bay unless this shim TSB is also done. (I hope to save anyone worried about this problem, time, money, and lots of aggravation)
Because my wife drives this vehicle most of the time. I can't take any chances of this happening again. And because these engines are what is know as an interference engine. When the timing belt cuts loose, it can and usually does damage the valves. Although performing a leak-down test indicated the valves were okay, I still decided to pull the engine and deliver it to a machine shop we use to freshen it up for me. They will also properly machine the oil pump cover and add the proper shim from Honda to remedy this problem! Plus I need to replace the broken pieces and parts (another $450.00) (plus $2200.00for the machine work). These repairs will cost me around $3000.00 when completed. Sure I'll have a freshened engine with all new oil seals, timing belt and components that should last another 100,000 plus miles of trouble free driving. But, I may have had that if I took the time and trouble to check things out before they went south in a hurry.
Please let my pain be your warning! If you hear a chirping sound coming from your engine...:act060: ACT NOW! It may just be the serpentine belt? But it may end up being BIG TROUBLE! Trouble by the name of the dreaded TIMING BELT CHIRP.......... GOOD LUCK!
Sincerely,
Silverstreek
I replaced the timing belt on ours ten months ago,(no easy job) and we put around 10k miles on it. It just broke. The ironic part is that the original had 150k on it and looked fine. Like an idiot I bought a cheap one Mitsubioshi or something like that. I'm going to be disassembling soon to inspect the damage. I believe these are interference type engines, so this could be expensive. I informed the seller of the cheap belt, but what can I expect? At best he could replace the belt,but do I want another inferior belt?
breye I have read that service bulletin silverstreek talks about and I believe it's model year specific.
Thanks for bringing it up, although I am unable to find it atm. Maybe someone will chime in with the TSB # to help those that it concerns.
I have talked to several knowledgeable techs and they have mentioned that many just want to do the minimum maintenance and just change the belt alone to save $$ against their recommendations to change the other vital components that may cause failure down the road, (i.e. water pump; idler roller; tensioner/adjusting pulley.)
I think the main issue is buying quality parts; replacing key components and proper installation.
Thanks for bringing it up, although I am unable to find it atm. Maybe someone will chime in with the TSB # to help those that it concerns.
I have talked to several knowledgeable techs and they have mentioned that many just want to do the minimum maintenance and just change the belt alone to save $$ against their recommendations to change the other vital components that may cause failure down the road, (i.e. water pump; idler roller; tensioner/adjusting pulley.)
I think the main issue is buying quality parts; replacing key components and proper installation.
All these horror stories about things going south after a TB change just reinforces my belief that this type of service should be entrusted to those who know the most about it, namely, a dealer. There are some things that should be left to the professionals. Yup, you might pay a bit more, but you can walk away knowing that you have the best chance of a repair being done correctly the first time. Personally, I have every service and maintenance done at my local Honda dealership. I feel that the premium is well worth the peace of mind it affords me. Not to disparage the guys at the local repair shop... my son is the lead mechanic at a local independent garage.....he agrees that the guys at the Honda shop know a lot more about my Ridgeline than he ever will.
Talk about bad luck. Sorry to hear you changed your TB & then it failed. Like others have pointed out. You are not alone. There's another member who had the same misfortune.
I am no machanic..but did mine myself..i feel done with care and pride better than anyone could ld have done. Use oem parts, replace pump etc.. All should be good.All these horror stories about things going south after a TB change just reinforces my belief that this type of service should be entrusted to those who know the most about it, namely, a dealer. There are some things that should be left to the professionals. Yup, you might pay a bit more, but you can walk away knowing that you have the best chance of a repair being done correctly the first time. Personally, I have every service and maintenance done at my local Honda dealership. I feel that the premium is well worth the peace of mind it affords me. Not to disparage the guys at the local repair shop... my son is the lead mechanic at a local independent garage.....he agrees that the guys at the Honda shop know a lot more about my Ridgeline than he ever will.
Op what was mileage, parts, where etc... So all can learn.
To earlier post about suggesting never replacing..not saying that but when evidence supports no timing belt failure anyone on this forum anyway on original ...and would bet many way over the mileage..if going to do my point was imo the risk of an extra 50k in miles or whatever..then doing all with good parts to me makes some sense..just an option
While this might seem a logical conclusion, remember that some of these same dealer service departments didn't know the RL has a transfer assembly. And in my personal experience, they didn't even know how to properly check the transmission fluid in a Honda automatic resulting in driving around with barely enough fluid to touch the end of the dipstick. Admittedly this was the body repair portion of the shop, but still.All these horror stories about things going south after a TB change just reinforces my belief that this type of service should be entrusted to those who know the most about it, namely, a dealer. There are some things that should be left to the professionals. Yup, you might pay a bit more, but you can walk away knowing that you have the best chance of a repair being done correctly the first time. Personally, I have every service and maintenance done at my local Honda dealership. I feel that the premium is well worth the peace of mind it affords me. Not to disparage the guys at the local repair shop... my son is the lead mechanic at a local independent garage.....he agrees that the guys at the Honda shop know a lot more about my Ridgeline than he ever will.
Some dealer shops are better than others. Some independent shops are better than others. As usual, YMMV.
What I find interesting is that things that are considered common knowledge on an enthusiast site like the ROC seems to be relatively unknown to the dealer service departments. Like the loose spark plug issue. Or the radiator/tranny fittings. Go figure.
I would say you are a good mechanic if you have the ability and tools to sucessfully change out a timing belt and water pump on a Ridgeline as it's not an easy job.I am no machanic..but did mine myself..i feel done with care and pride better than anyone could ld have done. Use oem parts, replace pump etc.. All should be good.
Op what was mileage, parts, where etc... So all can learn.
To earlier post about suggesting never replacing..not saying that but when evidence supports no timing belt failure anyone on this forum anyway on original ...and would bet many way over the mileage..if going to do my point was imo the risk of an extra 50k in miles or whatever..then doing all with good parts to me makes some sense..just an option
Ditto that.... it ain't like changing the air filter ! :act018:I would say you are a good mechanic if you have the ability and tools to sucessfully change out a timing belt and water pump on a Ridgeline as it's not an easy job.
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums
Honda Ridgeline Owners Club, forum community to discuss reviews, accessories, performance, care, mods, and more.
Full Forum Listing
