Timing Belt Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Acura MDX, 2012 Acura MDX, 2011 Acura MDX, and 2010 Acura MDX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Turn the crankshaft pulley so its white mark (A) on the crankshaft pulley lines up with the pointer (B).
NOTE: The other pointer (C) is not used.

Fig 1: Turning Crankshaft Pulley For Positioning
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Check that the No. 1 piston top dead center (TDC) mark (A) on the front camshaft pulley and the pointer (B) on the front upper cover are aligned.
NOTE: If the marks are not aligned, rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees, and recheck the camshaft pulley mark.

Fig 2: Identifying No. 1 Piston Top Dead Center Mark On Front Camshaft Pulley And Pointer
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Raise the vehicle on the lift, then remove the right front wheel.
Remove the splash shield (see SPLASH SHIELD REPLACEMENT ).
Remove the drive belt auto-tensioner (see DRIVE BELT AUTO-TENSIONER REPLACEMENT ).
Lift and support the engine with a jack and a wood block under the oil pan.
Remove the ground cable (A), then remove the upper half of the side engine mount bracket (B).

Fig 3: Identifying Ground Cable And Side Engine Mount Bracket With Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the crankshaft pulley (see CRANKSHAFT PULLEY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
Remove the front upper cover (A) and the rear upper cover (B).

Fig 4: Identifying Front Upper Cover And Rear Upper Cover With Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the lower cover.

Fig 5: Identifying Lower Cover With Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove one of the battery clamp bolts from the battery tray, and grind the end of it as shown.

Fig 6: Identifying Battery Clamp Bolts Grind Position
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Thread the battery clamp bolt in as shown to hold the timing belt adjuster in its current position. Tighten it by hand, do not use a wrench.

Fig 7: Tightening Battery Clamp Bolt To Hold Timing Belt Adjuster In Current Position
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the timing belt guide plate (A).

Fig 8: Identifying Timing Belt Guide Plate
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the lower half of the side engine mount bracket.

Fig 9: Identifying Lower Half Of Side Engine Mount Bracket Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the idler pulley bolt (A) and idler pulley (B), then remove the timing belt. Discard the idler pulley bolt.

Fig 10: Identifying Idler Pulley Bolt And Idler Pulley
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.