Hello...

I just bought a 97 CL 3.0 and have a couple questions. Car has 128K miles.


I do not know the service history of the car and need to ascertain if the timing belt needs to be replaced. Can I remove a cover and inspect it to make a determination as to whether I should service it? Any tell tale signs that it has been replaced?

The car has a check engine light and shows two codes, P1361 which I see is the EGR issue. Should I replace the EGR or service the hole that gets the carbon build up?

The second code is P041, possible TDC sensor failure. Is that a common failure? Should I replace the sensor or are there other factors here?

Thanks for the help!!!!

 

regardless if it has been replaced in the past, it would be a good idea to do the t-belt again. Honda recommends replacement every 6 years or 90k.

 

yea try taking out the egr and use something narrow to get the buildup out, it worked for me then the cel came back after a week, then i took it to the dealer and they took care of it along with my cat converter, i dont know bout the tbelt but i wouldnt just go ahead and replace it w/o finding out an approximate time of when it was replaced..

 

Timing belt is a must...don't hold out.

As far as code 0401, that is EGR related. Change out the EGR valve - they sell a kit on eBay that brings an OEM EGR valve, and that tube that gets clogged. It under $60. Sometimes just swapping the EGR wont clear the code...you must also clean all that carbon build-up.

 

P0401 is the EGR code and frequently is caused by blocked EGR ports or passages. Replacing EGR will not fix. You can check EGR by removing and checking whether vacuum will move the pintle (movable valve piece). If not, you may try cleaning (very difficult to do any good due to design of EGR valve. If not EGR valve, the blocked passages and ports will need to be accessed and cleaned. On the V6, I believe this requires removal of intake manifold.

P1361 is the TDC sensor. Reset the ECU and see if code returns immediately. If yes, the TDC sensor is probably bad and should be replaced.

Note, TDC may be under the Timing Belt cover.

BTW, chances are very good the car was sold because previous owner would not spring for the T'Belt service. Unless you can trace the owner and ask, or find the Honda/Acura service center he used, you cannot determine if the T'belt is new or was replaced. In that case, you should replace the T'belt anyway just to be safe. Better to spend $400-$800, than 1.5K-2K to rework both cylinder heads (valve damage due to T'belt breaking) or replace the engine (piston damage due to valves impacting pistons and penetrating).

good luck