Auto to manual tensioner, fears and questions.

[chris_rd92]

Hi guys,

So my 5th gen bb8 (H22A engine) is currently on 90k miles. It had a full cambelt/water pump/etc change done about 20k miles ago, and after some reading up this evening, I've got myself a bit paranoid.

As far as I'm aware, my car is still running the original auto cam belt tensioner, and now I'm worried it could let go at any time. Is this something to worry about at my current milage? I'd like to swap to the manual tensioner one day, and I'm keen to do it myself, but it seems that every guide or video on the topic is either 20 years old, or doesn't cover the swap completely (like which parts of the original settup are no longer needed).

And so that leads me on to my next question. Are there any full comprehensive guides from start to finish on how to do this tensioner swap? I'm good with mechanical stuff, I just need to be told what to remove and in what order! Lol. Any tips or tricks would be handy too, like the best way to lock the engine to crack loose the crank pulley.

I don't plan on doing this any time soon, but I'd like to read up and gain as much knowledge as possible for when the time inevitably comes.

Cheers guys.
Chris

[Scott560]

Apparently the autotensioner damping mechanism can be rebuilt.

I have my cambelt to do in the summer, and ive bought a genuine auto tensioner. If Honda intended for a manual tensioner - they would have put one in.

[Drax]

there is an auto to manual tensioner write up on here;
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=18247

did you change the cambelt yourself last or get a mechanic to do it? as when you do this work the auto tensioner should come off and you'll get a gist for its condition. if there's nothing wrong with it and it goes back on ok i'd say there is nothing to worry about, yes there is the possibility of failing anytime but its the same with a lot of components on these older cars so i wouldn't let it get to you.

overall its not worth swapping to a manual tensioner unless you are uprating the engine in some way like n/a or turbo build, but some people still do it for peace of mind anyway. you can get various replacement tensioners but the h23 one that you can buy new is generally one of the best and more affordable if you want to swap over.

[Drax]

Scott, are you doing Mimms @ santa pod bud? we've not heard from you

[chris_rd92]

there is an auto to manual tensioner write up on here;
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=18247

did you change the cambelt yourself last or get a mechanic to do it? as when you do this work the auto tensioner should come off and you'll get a gist for its condition. if there's nothing wrong with it and it goes back on ok i'd say there is nothing to worry about, yes there is the possibility of failing anytime but its the same with a lot of components on these older cars so i wouldn't let it get to you.

overall its not worth swapping to a manual tensioner unless you are uprating the engine in some way like n/a or turbo build, but some people still do it for peace of mind anyway. you can get various replacement tensioners but the h23 one that you can buy new is generally one of the best and more affordable if you want to swap over.

Thanks mate, the latest belt change was done by the previous owner, who is a member on here (PreludePete). There is nothing in the service history about there being a new tensioner fitted, so I assume the original one was checked and refitted. As I mentioned, my car is on just over 90k, and the last belt change was around 75k I think, so still fairly fresh. I don't intend to modify the engine at all as this is my daily driver and I already have another ridiculous car in the garage lol, so do you recon I'm alright to wait another 30-40k miles or so until my next belt change is due? When that time comes I will probably go for the whole manual tensioner and balancer delete kit from KS Tuned simply for piece of mind.

[vanzep]

Chris - like drax says its ok to stick with auto tensioner but for absolute peace of mind the H23 manual tensioner conversion is worth considering.
FYI there were issues with auto tensioner failure on early 4th gens but Honda put in an improved redesign of it and there should not be any issues any more but it is a part that i would consider replacing when doing the cam belt but depends on age of the part in place and mileage done.
Only tip i would give you when doing the cambelt is that you should consider getting a mechanic to do the crank pulley bolt both undoing it and torquing it back up. Best tool for it is a massive torque gun.
There are many guides on doing the H23 manual tensioner conversion.
Final word - i spoke to the most experienced Honda Tech (factory trained) in the UK and asked him and although he would not say much either way he did say the manual tensioner could be considered the more reliable option.

[Drax]

do you recon I'm alright to wait another 30-40k miles or so until my next belt change is due?

its totally up to you, if its going to play on your conscious too much then get it swapped but i run a 5g prelude as a daily too and i've not converted mine.

[chris_rd92]

Chris - like drax says its ok to stick with auto tensioner but for absolute peace of mind the H23 manual tensioner conversion is worth considering.
FYI there were issues with auto tensioner failure on early 4th gens but Honda put in an improved redesign of it and there should not be any issues any more but it is a part that i would consider replacing when doing the cam belt but depends on age of the part in place and mileage done.
Only tip i would give you when doing the cambelt is that you should consider getting a mechanic to do the crank pulley bolt both undoing it and torquing it back up. Best tool for it is a massive torque gun.
There are many guides on doing the H23 manual tensioner conversion.
Final word - i spoke to the most experienced Honda Tech (factory trained) in the UK and asked him and although he would not say much either way he did say the manual tensioner could be considered the more reliable option.

Thanks for the heads up mate, much appreciated! Ok that puts my mind at ease slightly lol. Other than affordability, what are the benefits of the H23 tensioner over the aftermarket KS Tuned setup? From what I've read, people say the H23 one can be a real pain to fit, whereas the KS one is simpler. I'm always open to be educated though!

[chris_rd92]

do you recon I'm alright to wait another 30-40k miles or so until my next belt change is due?

its totally up to you, if its going to play on your conscious too much then get it swapped but i run a 5g prelude as a daily too and i've not converted mine.

Hmmm, I may call around a few Honda specialist garages and get a few quotes for the work, starting to doubt if this is a job I can handle myself. Depending on prices I may take the plunge and get it booked in for the swap just for the sake of it. Not ideal when I've just booked it in for paint! In the mean time, I don't have a very heavy foot, so I'll be nice to the old girl in case I do wait until the next belt change.

[Drax]

H23 tensioner over the aftermarket KS Tuned setup

fitting wise vs cost really

people say the H23 one can be a real pain to fit

yes this is correct, i've done it twice and now it's ideally a 2 person job to get the belt on as it's very tight!! unless your able to modify the h23 tensioner as nathmannathan (i think) on here.