"jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
news:KsCdnVYDnsdPwt_anZ2dnUVZ_tKinZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
> Forrest wrote:
>> I have a 1989 Honda Accord SEI. It leaks oil and I have been letting my
>> son drive it. I have lectured him about checking it frequently but wonder
>> if he let it get too low.
>
> irrelevant.
>
>
>> The engine quit on him as he was getting off of the freeway. I towed him
>> home and saw that I had no spark to the plugs. I took the dist cap off
>> and cranked it and the rotor didn't move.
>
> timing belt has gone.
>
>> I removed the valve cover and timing belt cover and cranked and could see
>> the bottom timing belt sprocket turning but not the top.
>
> see above.
>
>> I got the belt off and tried to turn the top, camshaft sprocket by hand
>> and it wouldn't move more than a quarter of an inch.
>
> use a wrench. it's held by powerful springs.
>
>
>> I figured that the cam shaft bearings may have frozen. I loosened the
>> bearing caps and I could then turn it.
>
> that's because you loosen the springs.
>
>
>> A guy at a wrecking yard told me that it shouldn't have to be able to be
>> turned by hand, but with a wrench. How hard should it be to turn? I hate
>> to spend $30 on a belt, put it all back together, just to have it eat the
>> new belt up. Thanks in advance for any replies.
>
> now you've loosened the caps, you've broken the plug tube seals and need
> to get new ones.

you can remove completely to check the bearings, but
> unless the motor's been run dry, or run with the belt excessively tight,
> they'll be fine. tip: remove the whole assembly, with bolts in place, as
> one unit and keep it all together. reassembly once it falls apart can be
> a pita.
>
> other than that, you need to see if any valves are bent from the belt
> breakage. re-tighten the bearings and check for valve lash. if any are
> excessive, valves are bent and the head needs to come off for replacement.
> based on what you've said so far, i suggest you then hand the vehicle to
> someone with the experience to take the job from there.

Jim Beam wrote:

"now you've loosened the caps, you've broken the plug tube seals and need
to get new ones."

I don't know what those are. Could you please elaborate on that point? Sure
I can't just align it all, re-torque the caps and put on the new belt?