Honda Accord Problem

[Sycamore3House]

Honda Accord Problem

I have a Honda Accord 2ltr (2000). On Christmas Day we were travelling at 70 Mph on a dual carriageway and heard a screeching noise coming from the engine. We pulled into a layby (luckily) and the noise was then intermittent. The engine then cut out. We tried to start it but it only went for about 5 seconds and cut out again. Car has done 140k mostly motorway miles.

We did not want to try again as we did not want to cause any damage or break down on a main road etc. Any ideas from any mechanic people what could be wrong. It is going to be next week before it can be looked at but I am trying not to worry about the cost.

Car has been serviced regularly. Passed its MOT in November. Had a free health check at Honda in September (no problems). Never had any problems till this happened.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

[albaqwerty]

I'm not a mechanic person, but my first thought was the big end has gone.

(do cars have big ends anymore?) But as you managed to start it again, it might not well be that problem.

Hope it's not too expensive though.

[Sycamore3House]

Thanks for that. In chatting to people over the last few days no one has mentioned big ends. Gaskets, valves and pistons have ben chatted about. I just hope it is something simple.

[bhg481]

I wouldn't expect a screeching noise from big ends - more of a knocking noise. Screeching to me implies a loose drive belt.

[jake-the-peg]

Yes a big end would be loud expensive banging sound.

Certainly sounds like a belt but I'm puzzled about the cutting out but there might be some clever safety feature

If it's the belt it should be pretty cheap

[gingejbee]

In the past I've had three Hondas...no, four. Nothing was ever cheap!

[bhg481]

Belt should be pretty cheap - unless it's the cam belt. At 13 years and 140,000 miles you should (at least) be on your second belt and possibly due for a third. Cam belts are changed on time OR miles, whichever comes sooner and a good garage should be watching out for you and warning you it needs doing.

[jake-the-peg]

And I bet you faithfully went to a Honda main dealer ginge?

Duh!

Main dealers trade on people's nervousness about non-dealer garages and charge a silly markup for doing simple work.

Probably end up close to twice the price an independent would end up charging you.

Well worth getting recommendations from friends or family and building up a relationship with one

[jake-the-peg]

Timing belts rarely screech like that but anyway on that subject this is an excellent site

http://www.mytimingbelt.com/

tells you intervals for all makes and models

[bhg481]

Good link Jake - I thought such a site existed but didn't know the URL (now bookmarked). Incidentally the above Honda is right on the fringe of its third belt according to that site.

[Sycamore3House]

It is already on its second cam belt and I think that was my worry as I have heard if they go the car has had it. Up until a few years ago about 110k it went to the main dealer to get serviced & MOT'd. Then when it started to need replacing everything it started to go to an independent down the road from my work. The car has been totally reliable.
The comment about the safety feature was good. Honda are good at them.
Thanks for putting my mind to rest.

[Hopkirk]

Aren't you in the RAC/AA/Green Flag?

[jake-the-peg]

My money's on the serpentine belt slipping - probably a new belt and tensioner

[bhg481]

Best suggestion yet, Methyl. It fits in with the intermittent noise and the 5 seconds running before cut-out.

[Sycamore3House]

Quick update.

Car was recovered on Friday. It has now been fixed. Thank goodness.

Apparently it was a pump to do with the air conditioning that had seized and that was what the screeching noise was. And I was told that when they seize they start to burn. So as I don't use the aircon it has been bypassed.
Total bill was £120 including the recovery which was 17 miles from the garage.

[Psybbo]

Very reasonable

[tonyav]

Yep, not bad at all, considering recovery was included.

[carrust]

You could have run-over an Aston Villa fan...they're always screeching & whining LOL

[tonyav]

Oi, ya cheeky git, rusty.