Let me start by accepting full responsibility for lack of proper maintenance on my 2004 MDX. Since purchasing this SUV a couple of years ago, we have had nothing but GREAT things to say about it. And even right now, as it sits on the lift in my shop, I still feel that my relationship with this MDX is not over. I am new to this forum and I have gathered a lot of information here so I thought that I would start my own thread and resurrect this MDX!!
As I am driving to the airport to start my vacation, my MDX with over 204,000 miles on it, shuts down in the middle of the freeway. All of the dash lights become illuminated as I coast to the shoulder. It would not crank over.
After enjoying my vacation and then trailer the MDX home, I start disassembly of the timing belt covers. I have changed timing belts on my other Honda's (before they broke) so I have knowledge of what to do. I also have Google..... and I was right, the timing belt was broken.
Being an optimistic, here is my plan, just to see if this motor is toast or salvageable; I will replace just the timing belt and if this MDX will start and run, then I will do a complete overhaul (new timing belt, water pump, tensioner, serpentine belt, plugs, wires, etc). I am not an auto mechanic, but I am very handy and can follow directions really well. So, I set both of the cams to the timing marks and then set the crank pulley to Top Dead Center and then I replaced the timing belt. With the plugs removed, I am able to turn the motor over (by hand) several times without any interference. Then, I replaced the plugs and I was able to turn the motor over with the key and it turns over without any interference or any noticeable obscure noise. I am excited!!!
But it still does not start. I remove the valve cover but see nothing that looks out of the ordinary. I turn the motor over (by hand) and all of the valves are functioning correctly. Of course all that I am seeing from with that cover off is the lifting of the valves. I replace the valve cover and remove a spark plug and find that there is no spark.
Could it be a module or sensor had gotten damaged or short-circuited during this ordeal?
Could there be a fuse that blows to prevent further damage when something this catastrophic happens?
What recommendations are there? What do I check next?
As I am driving to the airport to start my vacation, my MDX with over 204,000 miles on it, shuts down in the middle of the freeway. All of the dash lights become illuminated as I coast to the shoulder. It would not crank over.
After enjoying my vacation and then trailer the MDX home, I start disassembly of the timing belt covers. I have changed timing belts on my other Honda's (before they broke) so I have knowledge of what to do. I also have Google..... and I was right, the timing belt was broken.
Being an optimistic, here is my plan, just to see if this motor is toast or salvageable; I will replace just the timing belt and if this MDX will start and run, then I will do a complete overhaul (new timing belt, water pump, tensioner, serpentine belt, plugs, wires, etc). I am not an auto mechanic, but I am very handy and can follow directions really well. So, I set both of the cams to the timing marks and then set the crank pulley to Top Dead Center and then I replaced the timing belt. With the plugs removed, I am able to turn the motor over (by hand) several times without any interference. Then, I replaced the plugs and I was able to turn the motor over with the key and it turns over without any interference or any noticeable obscure noise. I am excited!!!
But it still does not start. I remove the valve cover but see nothing that looks out of the ordinary. I turn the motor over (by hand) and all of the valves are functioning correctly. Of course all that I am seeing from with that cover off is the lifting of the valves. I replace the valve cover and remove a spark plug and find that there is no spark.
Could it be a module or sensor had gotten damaged or short-circuited during this ordeal?
Could there be a fuse that blows to prevent further damage when something this catastrophic happens?
What recommendations are there? What do I check next?