Six problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 1997 Honda Accord. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle became hot and the contact noticed smoke emitting from the hood. The vehicle had just been serviced a repair shop where the water pump, thermostat and a gasket were replaced. The vehicle was taken back to another repair shop where the contact was informed that the head gasket, water pump, thermostat and timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unvailable. The current and failure mileages were unknown.
While backing out of the driveway, consumer saw black smoke coming from under the hood. Consumer stopped vehicle, looked underneath the car and saw that oil was pouring onto the ground. Dealer has not been contacted. The balance shaft seal was replaced along with a new retainer, balance belt and timing belt.
Balance shaft seal blew, oil soaking the timing and drive belts. Dealer tried to charge me for repair that was caused by a faulty seal that Honda knows there is a problem with.
Same exact incident happened to another car I owned, Honda Accord lx 96, at the same mileage range (59k-60k). Only with Accord 96, I was fortunate enough to stop on time, and was able to save the engine. Whereas, in this car - Accord 97 situation, I was too late, all of the oil came out, and engine was irreparably damaged. According to the Honda Accord manuals, maintenance (change of timing belts, etc. ) on the car should be done at around 90k miles, excluding the regular oil changes. Therefore, both incidents were not related to a delayed maintenance, but to an irregular failure of the oil pump and the oil seal. Both cases are identical on similar cars and deserve to be investigated.
Road water got into the engine compartment and was picked up by fan belt. Consumer contacted the dealer and manufacturer.
Vehicle was taken in for a recall repairs for a balancer shaft oil seal leak. Honda refused to pay for the repairs. Honda insisted their responsibility ended in January 2003. However, consumer called in September 2002 to get this work done. It wasn't mentioned at that time. File wasn't updated, resulting in refusal of recall repairs.