So there I was 800 miles from home (2 states away) in 5th gear cruising down I64, when Pop, squealing, and the Tac drops from 3k to 0. Slamming the clutch to the floor turning off the key and coasting to the side, I finished my 850 mile trip with a bang. After multiple hundreds of dollars, 3 hours in the Firestone, waiting for them to tell me they cant fix it, they wont even replace the belt.

I understand there is basically NO possible way that the valves didn't touch the pistons. I took the valve cover off and the timing belt cover off, Noticing the belt chunks, I have the new belt in the backseat ... was going to replace it Friday then it Snow'd. I turned the cam over with a ratchet, with the plugs out, and cant tell if there is damage. I really wish there wasn't I felt the rockers and it seems like a couple (4) have a a little play when seated, around 20 thousands ( calibrated machinist elbow )

Should I just replace the belt and do a compression test, then buy the head, like my head says to do? Or is it toast and I should just buy the best head I can find atm?

Car: 1995 Civic Ex 1.6 143k

So another testament: replace the timing belt. ( saw another site where people where bragging about how long they go between timing belt changes, some are bragging 190k lol)

 

Your valves are toast, no question. If it were me, I'd pick up a d16z6 head at a junk yard and swap that one on, then replace your timing belt. It'll take a LOT more work to get your original head back in shape.

And, people brag about not doing a timing belt change in 190k miles? That's plain stupid.

 

Timing belt + interference engine = Civic's biggest fault.

I think they let the intern design that part of the engine...

 

its Russian Roulette bragging, not exactly smart to boast your 200+ k accord has never has a timing belt change.

 

You could do a cylinder leakdown test to see if the valves are OK. It is like a compression test only you force air into the cylinder from an external source so you don't need to rotate the engine. Thus you don't need to have a timing belt on to do it. Each time, rotate the cam so all valves on the cylinder under test are closed. Any garage should have the rather simple equipment to do it.

 

I am still trying to locate a cylinder head, Figuring that once I get it located, I can get it towed to the Shop, Have a leak down test done, if it fails, then I can buy the head and continue down the painful $$$ road.