Honda Car Forum

I just had the the 3rd timing belt replacement on my 94 Accord LX and
noticed about 10-15 % lower gas milage after it though the car runs
smooth. I estimated this by noticing how many miles I could drive from a
full tank till the guage touches the Empty mark. It used to be around
330 miles, now it's around 290.

First I thought this might be due to perhaps a different, less efficient
gasoline mix they are selling during the winter season in my state, but
when I heard a Accord Ex owner on a local auto show calling in with
virtually the identical issue (lower milage after a timing belt change)
I started wondering if this is something more common. I's strange
because, if anything, I would expect a better milage after such a major
maintenance that includes a tune-up as well. The radio show host did not
really have a good answer and I wonder if any of you have heard about
this issue before.

KJ

"K J" <kj@killjoy.invalid> wrote in news:gg9n00$e1k$1@news.motzarella.org:

> I just had the the 3rd timing belt replacement on my 94 Accord LX and
> noticed about 10-15 % lower gas milage after it though the car runs
> smooth. I estimated this by noticing how many miles I could drive from a
> full tank till the guage touches the Empty mark. It used to be around
> 330 miles, now it's around 290.
>
> First I thought this might be due to perhaps a different, less efficient
> gasoline mix they are selling during the winter season in my state, but
> when I heard a Accord Ex owner on a local auto show calling in with
> virtually the identical issue (lower milage after a timing belt change)
> I started wondering if this is something more common. I's strange
> because, if anything, I would expect a better milage after such a major
> maintenance that includes a tune-up as well. The radio show host did not
> really have a good answer and I wonder if any of you have heard about
> this issue before.
>
>
>



The only way this could happen is if a mistake was made.

Either something's not been reconnected properly, or the belt is off by a
tooth. I vote for the second reason. Go back and get the garage to check
the alignment again.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

"Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:
> The only way this could happen is if a mistake was made.
>
> Either something's not been reconnected properly, or the belt is off
> by a
> tooth. I vote for the second reason. Go back and get the garage to
> check
> the alignment again.

Oh, not that! It would be a big job. What if the tune-up was not done
right? Couldn't that also cause such a drop in milage?

KJ

K J wrote:
> "Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:
>> The only way this could happen is if a mistake was made.
>>
>> Either something's not been reconnected properly, or the belt is off by a
>> tooth. I vote for the second reason. Go back and get the garage to check
>> the alignment again.
>
> Oh, not that! It would be a big job. What if the tune-up was not done
> right? Couldn't that also cause such a drop in milage?
>

"tune up"? with computerized ignition and injection, it's not like
you're going to minutely adjust the dwell or the mixture here dude. the
only reason you get big disparities is because of big screw-ups. i'm
with tegger - check the cam timing.

"K J" <kj@killjoy.invalid> wrote in news:ggah39$t8k$1@news.motzarella.org:

> "Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:
>> The only way this could happen is if a mistake was made.
>>
>> Either something's not been reconnected properly, or the belt is off
>> by a
>> tooth. I vote for the second reason. Go back and get the garage to
>> check
>> the alignment again.
>
> Oh, not that! It would be a big job.



Sure would! And that's the garage's problem, not yours. They have an
obligation to perform the servicing correctly, and to fix it if it wasn't.



> What if the tune-up was not done
> right? Couldn't that also cause such a drop in milage?



That's what I meant by something "not reconnected properly". Suppose they
damaged a sensor or something? Or hooked up a vacuum line in the wrong
place?

Besides investigating the strong possibility the belt alignment is off,
they need to do a thorough check to make sure no other mistakes were made.



--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Thus spake "K J" <kj@killjoy.invalid> :

>I just had the the 3rd timing belt replacement on my 94 Accord LX and
>noticed about 10-15 % lower gas milage after it though the car runs
>smooth. I estimated this by noticing how many miles I could drive from a
>full tank till the guage touches the Empty mark. It used to be around
>330 miles, now it's around 290.

Don't guess, measure. How many miles do you go between fill ups and
how many gallons does one take? Do this over several tanks.

>
>First I thought this might be due to perhaps a different, less efficient
>gasoline mix they are selling during the winter season in my state, but
>when I heard a Accord Ex owner on a local auto show calling in with
>virtually the identical issue (lower milage after a timing belt change)
>I started wondering if this is something more common. I's strange
>because, if anything, I would expect a better milage after such a major
>maintenance that includes a tune-up as well. The radio show host did not
>really have a good answer and I wonder if any of you have heard about
>this issue before.
>
>KJ

An other than competent mechanic could easily put the timing belt on
one-tooth off. Have a talk with the manager/owner. What exactly was
done with the tuneup? Changed spark plugs? Valve adjustment?




On Nov 22, 11:35*am, "K J" <k...@killjoy.invalid> wrote:
> I just had the the 3rd timing belt replacement on my 94 Accord LX and
> noticed about 10-15 % lower gas milage after it though the car runs
> smooth. I estimated this by noticing how many miles I could drive from a
> full tank till the guage touches the Empty mark. It used to be around
> 330 miles, now it's around 290.
>
> First I thought this might be due to perhaps a different, less efficient
> gasoline mix they are selling during the winter season in my state, but
> when I heard a Accord Ex owner on a local auto show calling in with
> virtually the identical issue (lower milage after a timing belt change)
> I started wondering if this is something more common. I's strange
> because, if anything, I would expect a better milage after such a major
> maintenance that includes a tune-up as well. The radio show host did not
> really have a good answer and I wonder if any of you have heard about
> this issue before.
>
> KJ

On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:54:52 -0600, Dillon Pyron wrote:

> Thus spake "K J" <kj@killjoy.invalid> :
>
>>I just had the the 3rd timing belt replacement on my 94 Accord LX and
>>noticed about 10-15 % lower gas milage after it though the car runs
>>smooth. I estimated this by noticing how many miles I could drive from a
>>full tank till the guage touches the Empty mark. It used to be around
>>330 miles, now it's around 290.
>
> Don't guess, measure. How many miles do you go between fill ups and how
> many gallons does one take? Do this over several tanks.
>
>
>>First I thought this might be due to perhaps a different, less efficient
>>gasoline mix they are selling during the winter season in my state, but
>>when I heard a Accord Ex owner on a local auto show calling in with
>>virtually the identical issue (lower milage after a timing belt change)
>>I started wondering if this is something more common. I's strange
>>because, if anything, I would expect a better milage after such a major
>>maintenance that includes a tune-up as well. The radio show host did not
>>really have a good answer and I wonder if any of you have heard about
>>this issue before.
>>
>>KJ

you think driving a thousand miles on a mis-timed cam is a good idea?

"Dillon Pyron" <invaliddmpyron@austin.rr.com> wrote:
> Don't guess, measure. How many miles do you go between fill ups and
> how many gallons does one take? Do this over several tanks.

That's my intention. I only drove 2-3 tanks of gas since the timing belt
change and figured the fewer miles driven per tank was due to colder
weather till I heard that other guy call in the car talk show with
similar observation. Now I am getting concerned. But because the engine
otherwise seems to run smoothly and without loss of power, I figure I
can afford to drive a couple more tankful before I talk to the shop
again so I don't look like a fool in case I am wrong.

KJ

<johngdole@hotmail.com> wrote:

> An other than competent mechanic could easily put the timing belt on
> one-tooth off. Have a talk with the manager/owner. What exactly was
> done with the tuneup? Changed spark plugs? Valve adjustment?

Both.

KJ