paS2K

Anyone had problems with the cam tensioner chain on their S I'm not a motorhead, but here's the story:

After driving east from Carlisle to Philly on Sunday night via the PA turnpike (including a little rip to 105), I exited at Valley Forge for the drive back thru the 'burbs. At the first redlight, I looked in the rear mirror to see what diesel truck was behind me making a racket? 'Twas my '00 Silverstone that sounded like a truck I drove slowly for about 8 miles right to the Honda dealer and parked it.

Turns out that the cam tensioner chain (?) threw a bolt... which is why it felt like a 2-cylinder Yugo for those last miles. Well, it's still in the shop 4 days later... waiting for a new cylinder head (arrived) and also intake & manifold gaskets (backorder...duh???). He said the oil was about 1 qt low and one camshaft lobe may have had oil starvation... leading to throwing the bolt. The "maintenance required" light was lit for a day or two, but I ascribed that to the 30,000 mile service due. Service guy has been great and got me a rental car this morning, but I am missing my baby So far, it looks like all will be covered by warranty including 4 days rental car (c/o HondaCare 100k/7yr.warranty).

Anyone have advice on things to ask about or look for when I finally get 'er back It's a daily driver with just over 30,000 miles... never raced.

PS: I found some threads about cam tensioner/ chain problems, but never this exact situation of close to a breakdown on an Interstate, w/o any warning.

s2000guy

What exactly was damaged? Did it bend the valves?

txst

You know, I used to look for cars that had timing chains vs. belts because I thought it was a more robust design and I wouldn't have to deal with changing a timing belt. But, my last 2 vehicles - a 1990 Nissan Stanza and my 1992 Toyota Truck both had timing chain related problems. On the Nissan, the tensioner crapped the bed at around 85K miles (luckily I stopped the engine right away and there was no damage), and the chain on my truck started to make a lot of noise at startup also at around 85K miles (the chain had stretched) so I changed the timing chain components before I had a problem with it (I was paraniod). I took really good car of those vehicles (regular oil changes and quality filters, let the car warm up before driving, low revs, etc). Probably just bad luck, but when we bought our Accord, I didn't mind that it had a timing belt. Having changed both myself, trust me, it is much easier to change a timing belt.

Good luck - I hope that the dealer takes care of you.

cjb80

The timing chain system is very simple, I am not sure how it could fail like that.. what bolt are they talking about that came off? If it was the bolt on the cam it would ruin the engine, otherwise I don't know what bolt they are talking about. Oil starvation on a cam lobe would score the cam lobe, not make a bolt lose. The cam rockers have wheels on them anyways so it's not metal against metal grinding..

The chain tensioner is simply a spring pushing a rubbery piece against the chain, the chain glides across the tensioner.

Chris

paS2K

[QUOTE]Originally posted by s2000guy
[B]What exactly was damaged?

paS2K

I should be able to pick 'er up on Monday... sounds like the first F20C that my dealer has taken apart for major work. Service rep says the engine "sounds" fine once fired up... will know more in a coupla days.