19 years of sitting- prep for start question

[Skip Newsom]

Chilton manual came today... Honda put a drain bolt on the bottom of the gas tank, bless their butts!

[Skip Newsom]

Drained all the fuel from the conveniently placed 17MM bolt in the left rear corner of the tank.
Got a total about 12 gallons of very smelly fuel out of it in 3 go-rounds.
I also loosened the fuel filter fittings to encourage as much fuel as possible out the system. I'd previously turned on the key a couple times to check fuel levels and test the electrics- there was good pressure at the filter, fuel pumps alive and doing it's thing too!
All's good so far!

Next up, pull plugs and fog the cylinders with oil, then it's timing belt, tensioner and water pump time in the valley.

Then new plugs, adjust valves, replace fuel injectors (at $30 each I feel it's wise) then seal it up, replace fluids and see if she comes alive.

[71T Targa]

Great progress!

That first drive with your brother will be priceless.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Skip Newsom

Drained all the fuel from the conveniently placed 17MM bolt in the left rear corner of the tank.
Got a total about 12 gallons of very smelly fuel out of it in 3 go-rounds.
I also loosened the fuel filter fittings to encourage as much fuel as possible out the system. I'd previously turned on the key a couple times to check fuel levels and test the electrics- there was good pressure at the filter, fuel pumps alive and doing it's thing too!
All's good so far!

Next up, pull plugs and fog the cylinders with oil, then it's timing belt, tensioner and water pump time in the valley.

Then new plugs, adjust valves, replace fuel injectors (at $30 each I feel it's wise) then seal it up, replace fluids and see if she comes alive.

It sounds like you really know what you are doing...I wish I dared to tackle the timing belt replacement. Everytime I read-up on it..I back off.
Very interested in how that goes. My Prelude is at 120K with the original belt.

[javadog]

Great progress. I would still throw a few gallons of fresh gas in the tank and let that sit for a while then drain it. I would use E85 gas, if you can find it. It would help to dissolve the crystallized and varnished gas in the bottom of the tank. Before you put the fuel injectors in, and after changing the fuel filter, I would suggest putting some fresh gas in the tank and running fresh gas through the lines to purge all of the old gas out.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stevej37

It sounds like you really know what you are doing...I wish I dared to tackle the timing belt replacement. Everytime I read-up on it..I back off.
Very interested in how that goes. My Prelude is at 120K with the original belt.

Man, are you on borrowed time... You really need to get that belt changed before it pops and ruins your engine. You should be on your fourth belt by now.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by javadog

Man, are you on borrowed time... You really need to get that belt changed before it pops and ruins your engine. You should be on your fourth belt by now.

Not too worried about it yet...
I talked to a mechanic at my local Honda dealer. He said he hardly ever sees a broken belt before 150K. Also said the environment was a big factor. My Prelude is always garaged and the humidity is controlled...when not used.
But, I realize I have to address that belt sometime soon.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Not too worried about it yet...
I talked to a mechanic at my local Honda dealer. He said he hardly ever sees a broken belt before 150K. Also said the environment was a big factor. My Prelude is always garaged and the humidity is controlled...when not used.
But, I realize I have to address that belt sometime soon.

What you’re not thinking about. They go bad with time, even if they have 0 miles on them. On a car that’s driven a normal amount of mileage per year, 150,000 miles might be equivalent to about 10 years. I have spoken to the engineers at the companies that make timing belts and they say that they wouldn’t go past about nine years. If I recall correctly, you bought your car in the 90s, so that belt is more than 20 years old.

I will remind you that I’m a former Honda dealer and before that, I managed the service departments of two Honda dealerships. I’ve seen Honda engines ruined before they turned 60,000 miles, from a lack of maintenance.

On my car, if I am approaching nine years on the timing belt, I do periodic visual inspections of the belt to make sure it’s in good condition and not contaminated by oil, or cracked.

It’s your car and your money, pay a grand now or five or six times that later.

[stevej37]

^^^ 22 years. I hear you and agree. That's why I am interested in how Skip's project goes.
I know I have to do it sometime...but with a car that's value is so low, I am in no rush.

[Skip Newsom]

More progress!
I pulled the plugs out and put in about 20 drops of light oil, let it sit a couple days.
Pulled the crank shaft pulley access plug out and slowly turned it over by hand several times and aligned it to TDC on plug #1.
Happy to say it took a little bit of force to move it initially but it immediately turned nice and smooth.
I'm following the steps laid out in the Chilton's manual and yes... it's a bit overwhelming if you read the entire process. Reality is it's not bad at all so far.

I pulled the plastic under carriage cover off and gained better access to the crank pulley, removed all the intake piping, drained the antifreeze and pulled the distributor cap. She needs a new cap and rotor, contacts are a little burnt, worn down and taste terrible.

I also had to order a tool to hold the crank pulley- the manual warns it's the "tightest bolt on the car".
Oh boy!!!




Fully emerged from the pile of craaaap


There were oil absorbent pads under it, in 20 years they had pretty well soaked up all the oil drips and attached themselves to the floor, that's what the black square is imprinted in the concrete- yummy.


Only fell over once next to it so far... the old gas fumes were awful.

[masraum]

Great work and good news!

[71T Targa]

Awesome work!

[fastfredracing]

The timing belt job was difficult compared to the civics, but overall, really were not that hard. Just a little bit cramped in there. Make sure you spin it once after you are done, and all the marks still line up . Never miss if you take that extra step.
And, that crank bolt is usually really hard to get off the first time

To the guy still on his original tb, if you are dreading the TB job, just wait till you have to pull the head, to replace all the valves . Id get that one done pronto..
Anxious to hear if it runs. Im betting it fires right up !

[Skip Newsom]

The timing belt job was difficult compared to the civics, but overall, really were not that hard. Just a little bit cramped in there.

A little cramped?
You are a funny dude, I like that!!

I now have the drive belts off, cruise control appendage, Exhaust manifold heat shield, Power Steering pump, & alternator off. It's a back breaker even with it up on ramps- maybe I'm just too tall, and good looking... No, that's not it.
The bottom alternator bolt is ridiculous to remove, and the idler pulley assembly as well. Design engineers don't work on cars, generally.

My back said enough after 3 hours, got to spend more time talking over past endeavors with my brother... It's good to spend time with him on a regular basis. Wish some of the circumstances were different.
Oy.

Before the imposition


Sweet dreams are not made of this


End of today carnage

[DonDavis]

Looking good.

Fingers crossed for you as the work continues.

And say hello to your brother for us!

Also, you two should talk about bands you both liked when the car was new. Get a period correct sticker for that band and put it on the passenger rear window. Or a sporting team, beer, restaurant...something that connects you both.

[Skip Newsom]

Thanks for the suggestions javadog related to cleaning out the fuel system, I appreciate that!

Don, finding a common bond and reflecting it is a great idea too.

I'm thinking "Pink Floyd, Dark side of the Prelude... matter of fact it's all dark"

[javadog]

Looks like you're making good progress. These jobs can be a pain in the ass but you can do it, just go one step at a time and you'll eventually knock it out. If you need any tools, you can usually rent them from auto parts stores, sometimes for free if you buy parts from them.

Hopefully your brother can hang out in the garage with you a little, as this progresses.

[stevej37]

Well..you've already gone further than I would have. Nice work!
On the 2nd pic in post #70...it's almost impossible to see the moonroof, because of the dust from time sitting.

[Skip Newsom]

No progress on the car today, I'm at a point where one tool, a 50MM wrench has stopped me. It's supposed to show up Monday.

So time was spent in a wiser way.

Asked my Brother is he was up for a meal out and indeed he was. He said he wanted to go to the Train wreak Sports bar (there was indeed a train wreak at that spot many moons ago) up in the next town North, texted my Sister what we were up to and she came along too.

Weather was not bad, the Porter, the burger and the company were all top notch!

[mattdavis11]

That's a big crank bolt! Those suckers can be a bear to break loose. Good luck! I will say that I have resorted to the starter method one time. The crank bolt would not break free, not with an impact gun, and no matter how long the breaker bar was. One bump of the key with the breaker bar on the concrete was all it took.

I do not recommend that method, but when all else fails...