Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Mechanic
Amazing how many Hondas last very long, just not on the original engine. At least Toyota made them so when the timing belt broke, the valves didn't launch themselves into the piston tops. Design a car so if the timing belt brakes the engine is wrecked?
I think they are still doing that. If Detroit tried it they would be crucified. Toyota wised up in that category.
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I've heard of several cars being neglected by their owners (or their dealerships: short servicing while full billing
) fail from timing belt failure. None of them had no valve damage, most were junked. It is not a specific Honda problem nor is Toyota free from it.
AFAIK any 4+ cylinder engine has at least one open valve at any time during normal operation, so that if the timing belt/chain/whatever alignment fails it is inevitable that valves get hit, unless there is some mechanism to physically close them (lift the camshaft?) right when the belt tension drops.
That mechanism would make the engine slightly heavier, more expensive and less efficient, just to cure a problem that should not have happened in the first place, were the belt changed at the proper service interval.
My '85 Civic did 280,000 km in 18.5 years with no mechanical trouble whatsoever apart from from a broken starter motor mount(!). Its original engine still ran like new when it failed the MOT because of structural weakness in its rustbeams.
My ST11000 Pan European bike runs fine at 75,000 km, just like the Pans of other Pan club members, some beyond 300.000 km.
I see Honda engines get high mileage with grace, provided they do get their regular services.
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2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut.
lifetime FE over 0.2 Gigameter or 0.13 Megamile.
For confirmation go to people just like you.
For education go to people unlike yourself.