Timing Belt Replacement

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.

NOTE: The following procedure is for installation of a new timing belt. If you are installing a used belt, refer to the timing belt installation procedure (see TIMING BELT INSTALLATION ).

Remove the timing belt (see TIMING BELT REMOVAL ).
Clean the timing belt pulleys, the timing belt guide plate, and the upper and lower covers.
Set the timing belt drive pulley to top dead center (TDC) by aligning the TDC mark (A) on the tooth of the timing belt drive pulley with the pointer (B) on the oil pump.

Fig 1: Aligning TDC Mark On Tooth Of Timing Belt Drive Pulley With Pointer On Oil Pump
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Set the camshaft pulleys to TDC by aligning the TDC marks (A) on the camshaft pulleys with the pointers (B) on the back covers.
FRONT

Fig 2: Aligning TDC Marks On Camshaft Pulleys With Pointers On Back Covers (Front)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

REAR

Fig 3: Aligning TDC Marks On Camshaft Pulleys With Pointers On Back Covers (Rear)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the battery clamp bolt from the back cover.
Remove the auto-tensioner.

Fig 4: Identifying Auto-Tensioner With Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Align the holes on the rod and the housing of the auto-tensioner.

Fig 5: Aligning Holes On Rod And Housing Of Auto-Tensioner
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Use a hydraulic press to slowly compress the auto-tensioner. Insert a 2.0 mm (5/64 in) pin through the housing and the rod.
NOTE: The compression pressure should not exceed 9, 800 N (1, 000 kgf, 2, 200 lbf).
Install the auto-tensioner.
NOTE: Make sure the pin stays in place.

Fig 6: Auto-Tensioner And Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Thread the battery clamp bolt in as shown to hold the timing belt adjuster. Tighten it by hand, do not use a wrench.

Fig 7: Identifying Battery Clamp Bolt
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Loosely install the idler pulley with a new idler pulley bolt so the pulley can move but does not come off.
Install the timing belt in a counterclockwise sequence starting with the drive pulley.
1. Drive pulley (A)
2. Idler pulley (B)
3. Front camshaft pulley (C)
4. Water pump pulley (D)
5. Rear camshaft pulley (E)
6. Adjusting pulley (F)
  
  Fig 8: Timing Belt Routing Diagram
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install a new idler pulley bolt and tighten it to the specified torque.

Fig 9: Idler Pulley Bolt With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the pin from the auto-tensioner.

Fig 10: Removing Pin From Auto-Tensioner
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the battery clamp bolt from the back cover.
Install the lower half of the side engine mount bracket using new bolt (A) and bolt (B).

Fig 11: Side Engine Mount Bracket And Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
install the timing belt guide plate (A) as shown.

Fig 12: Identifying Timing Belt Guide Plate Installation Position
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the lower cover.

Fig 13: Lower Cover And Mounting Bolts Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the front upper cover (A) and the rear upper cover (B).

Fig 14: Front, Rear Upper Cover And Mounting Bolts Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the crankshaft pulley (see CRANKSHAFT PULLEY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
Rotate the crankshaft pulley about six turns clockwise so the timing belt positions itself on the pulleys.
Turn the crankshaft pulley so its white mark (A) lines up with the pointer (B).
NOTE: The other pointer (C) is not used.

Fig 15: Identifying Pointer And Crankshaft White Mark
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Check the camshaft pulley marks.
NOTE: If the marks are not aligned, rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees, and recheck the camshaft pulley mark:
- If the camshaft pulley marks are at TDC, go to step 24.
- If the camshaft pulley marks are not at TDC, remove the timing belt and repeat steps 3 through 22.
FRONT

Fig 16: Identifying Camshaft Pulley Marks At TDC Position (Front)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

REAR

Fig 17: Identifying Camshaft Pulley Marks At TDC Position (Rear)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Loosely install the upper half of the side engine mount bracket (A) using new bolts, then install the ground cable (B).

Fig 18: Side Engine Mount Bracket, Ground Cable And Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the jack and the wood block.
Tighten the mounting bolts in the numbered sequence shown.
Install the drive belt auto-tensioner (see DRIVE BELT AUTO-TENSIONER REPLACEMENT ).
Install the splash shield (see SPLASH SHIELD REPLACEMENT ).
Install the right front wheel.
Do the CKP pattern clear/CKP pattern learn procedure (see HDS CLEAR COMMAND ).