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2003 BF225 timing belt failure

J

John W

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I have a 2003 (originally installed 2004) Honda BF225 counter-rotating (mounted as a single) with @900hours. I was running @4500rpm when motor died and would not restart. After being towed in I took it to my Honda mechanic...they informed me Friday that one of the belt pulley bearings came apart from wear, destroying the timing belt. They have ordered parts for early next week to replace the bearing and belt, at which time they can determine if valves were bent. I'm hoping someone can offer some advice around this situation:

1.) How likely is it that I've had valve damage?
2.) if valves are bent, how big of a repair is this? Does it make sense to repair, or should I be looking at repower options? Any idea of what is involved and potential cost of repair?
3.) I am not knowledgeable about the motor, so I have very regular maintenance done at a certified Honda/Tohatsu dealer. I had annual service done in the past 3 months...is this something that should have been caught at serve? Do you proactively change pulleys at a service interval to avoid this problem?
4.) If motor is worth repairing (valve damage or not), I'm assuming each pulley/bearing has had the same wear as the one that broke, so I'm thinking that all should be replaced. Do you agree?

Thanks for your help & advice.

John
 
Most of the valves would have bent at this engine speed, but the pistons will be okay unless a valve has actually broken, in which case a full overhaul will be needed. Timing belts and pulleys should be checked and re tensioned every two hundred hours to prevent this from happening.
 
John W said:
I have a 2003 (originally installed 2004) Honda BF225 counter-rotating (mounted as a single) with @900hours. I was running @4500rpm when motor died and would not restart. After being towed in I took it to my Honda mechanic...they informed me Friday that one of the belt pulley bearings came apart from wear, destroying the timing belt. They have ordered parts for early next week to replace the bearing and belt, at which time they can determine if valves were bent. I'm hoping someone can offer some advice around this situation:

1.) How likely is it that I've had valve damage?
2.) if valves are bent, how big of a repair is this? Does it make sense to repair, or should I be looking at repower options? Any idea of what is involved and potential cost of repair?
3.) I am not knowledgeable about the motor, so I have very regular maintenance done at a certified Honda/Tohatsu dealer. I had annual service done in the past 3 months...is this something that should have been caught at serve? Do you proactively change pulleys at a service interval to avoid this problem?
4.) If motor is worth repairing (valve damage or not), I'm assuming each pulley/bearing has had the same wear as the one that broke, so I'm thinking that all should be replaced. Do you agree?

Thanks for your help & advice.

John
Click to expand...

Just happened to mine about 5 weeks ago 225 HP 2007. Parts are about $400-500 plus labor 4 hours is what I was charged. I got lucky because mine broke coming into the harbor at idle speed, but I did hear the valves hit, but no damage. My guy put all new parts on and ran like a top. Another guys did the same at 4500 RPMs and his were heads were shot. I'm sure he'll chime in on this thread. Good Luck is all I can say!!

I have other issues like hole in block and corroded heads...
 
Great news! Honda shop called, they replaced the pulley bearing and belt, and the leak down test came back fine with no valves damaged. I had already started pricing out a repower if I was in for major engine damage. I’m having them poactively replace the other pully and belt tensioner just in case, as I figure they all have a similar amount of wear.

Given the motor was running @4500 rpms when the motor stopped, I was expecting the worst. Anybody know how I avoided valve damage? The motor went from running perfectly to completely stopping...perhaps the speed of the motor stopping prevented multiple revolutions of pistons into valves?

thanks
 
John W said:
Great news! Honda shop called, they replaced the pulley bearing and belt, and the leak down test came back fine with no valves damaged. I had already started pricing out a repower if I was in for major engine damage. I’m having them poactively replace the other pully and belt tensioner just in case, as I figure they all have a similar amount of wear.

Given the motor was running @4500 rpms when the motor stopped, I was expecting the worst. Anybody know how I avoided valve damage? The motor went from running perfectly to completely stopping...perhaps the speed of the motor stopping prevented multiple revolutions of pistons into valves?

thanks
Click to expand...

Good for you! I guess it might have something to do with timing and when it crashes, not sure... I did the same calling around pricing new to find out after the repair, the next trip out I find a hole in my block! Should have replaced Alternator belts too.

Now just sent F250 to shop and they found low compression on #6 & #8 cylinder. Never ends for me!!
 
John - you need to go out and make a sacrifice of thanks to the Sea Gods! (Buy a couple of lottery tickets on your way!)

Every Honda I've known about or read about that lost it's timing belt at high RPM's destroyed the engine, including two Honda autos own by my kids. I have no real explanation of how you ducked that bullet, and would be interested in hearing any explanation your repair shop may have.

Somehow the crank shaft had to come to an immediate dead stop as the pulley failed. Don't know why.
 
Just closing the loop on this, I had both pulleys and the tensioner replaced with the new belt, which delayed getting it back. They did a second leak down test which showed more than 90% pressure which they said was great for a motor of this age. The mechanic ran it on a hose and it ran fine at low speeds. But they didn't have an explanation as to how my valves weren't bent, and they advised me to stay near shore and don't bring a crowd on my first outing in case something went wrong at high rpm.

I ran the boat today, and the motor ran great, topped out right at 6000rpm, no noises or loss of power. It ran as strong as ever. Top speed and rpm's were right in line with where they have always been. I have no idea how I avoided damage.
 
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