So I replaced the camshaft position sensor around 3 months ago when my son's 04 Civic LX 1.7 kicked a P0344 code and it fixed it. Now it kicks the code again yesterday and my son continued driving it back home from over the mountain. I got a new sensor and replaced it thinking that had to be what it was. Installed it and started it and was making a plastic sounding type of sound around the upper timing belt cover like something was rattling inside it. Took it back apart and noticed a little place on the back side of the cover like something was rubbing it. Then I notice the timing belt is loose on the front side of the engine side. ALMOST loose enough that if I pulled on it hard enough I could probably pull it off of the camshaft pulley. Hoping somebody sees this that is a really good engine mechanic that can give me some info as to whether the belt is supposed to be loose on one side or if that means something is broken. The back side of the belt if pretty tight. Will watch for some replies before I put it back together. Thanks guys.

 

The belt should be pretty tight. Did you mess with the tensioner for the timing belt?

 

Thanks for the reply. The tensioner spring actually snapped off on the end that mounts to that little nub that sticks out. Got it fixed. Replaced belt, tensioner and water pump while in there. Only 40,000 on belt and pump but at $400+ in labor to open it up and close it back up, why not. Went with Gates on everything. Seemed to be a good brand name.

 

gates is what honda north america uses stock.