Mike,

The timing belt was replaced at around 95k. So, it is not the original
belt.


Michael Pardee wrote:
> "arock" <arockwel@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1151953432.147546.141250@b68g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> >I have a 1994 Acura Integra LS automatic with 165k miles. I had a valve
> > adjustment done on the car. Immediately after the work was done and
> > since that time the car has had poor gas mileage, a very rough idle,
> > and loss of power. I had abolutely none of those problems before the
> > adjustment. Before I take it back into the shop I would like to know if
> > a bad valve adjustment could be the source of these problems and how it
> > should be remedied. Also, are there any long-term risks associated with
> > a bad valve adjustment?
> >
> Normally a valve adjustment itself doesn't bring about those problems - it
> sounds like the timing belt has slipped. First and most critical question -
> is this the original timing belt? If the answer is "yes" you are driving on
> borrowed time.
>
> If the belt was changed a few years ago when it was due, the danger of a
> flubbed valve adjustment is that the valves may have been set too "tight."
> That often leads to burned valves. "Loose" valves make a lot of clatter but
> are not a risk of damage.
>
> If the timing belt jumped because the engine was turned backward (clockwise)
> during the valve adjustment the shop owes it to you to make it right, even
> if (*especially* if) valve damage has resulted. If the belt is overdue for
> replacement - that is, if it is the original - you may have some bargaining
> to do. They can't be wholly responsible for failure of a 12 year old belt.
>
> Mike