How To Test For A Broken Timing Belt (1.6L Honda Civic)

TEST 2: Check That The Camshaft Turns

Every now and then the camshaft breaks in half but the timing belt doesn't (I've seen this quite a bit over the years working on Hondas) and this will also cause a cranks but does not start condition.

So, this test is designed to test for a broken camshaft and timing belt by removing the valve cover and the upper plastic timing cover and visually verifying that the timing belt is turning as you crank your Honda Civic (Civic del Sol, etc).

IMPORTANT Be careful, be alert, take all necessary safety precautions when doing any test that involves a cranking engine.

1. 1

   Make sure the battery is fully charged so that you can easily crank the Honda's engine.

2. 2

   Now, using the appropriate tools, remove the valve cover and then the top plastic timing belt cover.
   
   The timing belt cover is a two piece cover. No need to remove the bottom part, just the top one.

3. 3

   Once the top plastic timing belt cover is removed and the camshaft gear is exposed, have your helper crank the Honda.

4. 4

   As the engine is cranking, observe the camshaft gear (from a safe distance).

5. 5

   You'll see one of two things:
   
   1.) The camshaft gear will turn as the engine cranks or
   
   2.) The camshaft gear will NOT turn as the engine turns over.

OK, now that the testing part is done, let's take a look at what your results mean:

CASE 1: The camshaft gear turned as the engine was cranking. This let's you know that the timing belt is not broken. No further testing is required.

CASE 2: The camshaft gear DID NOT turn as the engine was cranking. This result tells you that the timing belt is broken and needs to be replaced.

Symptoms Of A Broken Timing Belt

The most obvious symptom that the timing belt broke on your Honda Civic is that it won't start. It'll crank, but no start. Here are a couple of others:

• The ignition system will not create and deliver spark to the spark plugs, since the distributor rotor will not turn.
• The fuel injection computer will not pulse (activate) the fuel injectors (if your Honda has the crank sensors in the distributor).
• If you were to do and engine compression test, none of the engine cylinders would produce a compression reading on the compression tester.

More 1.6L Honda Civic Tutorials

I've written quite a few 1.6L Honda Civic diagnostic tutorials that may be of interest to you. You can find here: Honda 1.6L Index Of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:

• How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (Honda 1.6L).
• How To Test The Alternator (1996-2000 1.6L Honda Civic).
• Testing Shift Control Solenoid Valves A and B (1996-2000 1.6L Honda Civic).
• How To Troubleshoot A No Start (Honda 1.6L).
• How To Test The Igniter, Ignition Coil Accord, Civic, CRV, and Odyssey (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).