Honda Car Forum

Hi all

Just had my 1999 Integra Type R (UK) serviced and timing belt changed.
When I start the car from cold the engine struggles and coughs to get
above 1000rpm unless I keep my foot on the accelarator. Once it heats
up to running temp its fine. It has stalled a couple of times, when I
haven't pressed the accelarator, just a couple of mins after I start
it.

Apart from that its running as good as ever.

Any suggesstions anyone?

Thanks

davea wrote:
> Hi all
>
> Just had my 1999 Integra Type R (UK) serviced and timing belt changed.
> When I start the car from cold the engine struggles and coughs to get
> above 1000rpm unless I keep my foot on the accelarator. Once it heats
> up to running temp its fine. It has stalled a couple of times, when I
> haven't pressed the accelarator, just a couple of mins after I start
> it.
>
> Apart from that its running as good as ever.
>
> Any suggesstions anyone?
>
> Thanks
>
=======================================

Sounds like the timing belt is out by one tooth. That's why it won't run
correctly until it's warm. Your coolant reservoir probably is LOW since
you didn't mention topping it up since the work was done. . . . that
part is in the owner's manual.

'Curly'

Thanks, will check the coolant tonight. I've booked it into the garage
that did the timing belt change but they can't take it until Monday.

Is it bad to drive it until then if the timing belt is off?

davea wrote:
> Thanks, will check the coolant tonight. I've booked it into the garage
> that did the timing belt change but they can't take it until Monday.
>
> Is it bad to drive it until then if the timing belt is off?

sure is!

jim beam wrote:
> davea wrote:
>> Thanks, will check the coolant tonight. I've booked it into the garage
>> that did the timing belt change but they can't take it until Monday.
>>
>> Is it bad to drive it until then if the timing belt is off?
>
> sure is!
>
>
further thought:

the itr is a fantastic vehicle. as such, it deserves a standard of care
above that offered by the usual hacks. while you may not want to spend
too much time doing work yourself at the end of the day, i think there's
a lot of benefit for signing up with some automotive maintenance classes
at a local college. that way. you'll learn what's going on under the
hood, but most importantly, learn about best practices and therefore be
able to judge whether any shop you take your vehicle to is competent to
do the work to a good standard.

there are a ton of people out there that call themselves mechanics, but
imo, only 10%-20% are useful, and of that small portion, only 10% are
what i'd call "good". the itr is a honda, so it doesn't need too much
babying, but when it /does/ need work, to maintain it's best running
condition, you need someone that both loves this vehicle /and/ is
"good". knowing as much as you can helps you qualify the surgeon and
understand whether they know what they're doing. it helps keep would-be
profiteers remarkably honest too.

and always keep asking questions. someone that knows their stuff will
welcome the interest of a fellow enthusiast.