Timing Belt Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Acura TL and 2007 Acura TL. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: The following procedure is for the 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, 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
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 - Front
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

REAR:

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

Fig 4: Identifying Battery Clamp Bolt From Back Cover
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Align the holes on the rod and 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 (0.08 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 (A) stays in place.

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

Fig 7: Identifying Thread Of 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. Take care not to damage the timing belt during installation.
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: Identifying Timing Belt Installing Sequence
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Tighten the idler pulley bolt.

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

Fig 10: Identifying 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.

Fig 11: Lower Half Of Side Engine Mount Bracket And Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the timing belt guide plate as shown.

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

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

Fig 14: Front Upper Cover And Rear Upper Cover With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the crankshaft pulley (see INSTALLATION ).
Rotate the crankshaft pulley 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).

Fig 15: Identifying Crankshaft Pulley 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 23.
  FRONT:
  
  Fig 16: Identifying Camshaft Pulley Marks - Front
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  
  REAR:
  
  Fig 17: Identifying Camshaft Pulley Marks - Rear
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the upper half of the side engine mount bracket (A), then tighten the bolts in the numbered sequence shown.

Fig 18: Engine Mount Bracket Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the ground cable (B).
Install the drive belt (see DRIVE BELT INSPECTION ).
Install the splash shield (see step 43 on ENGINE INSTALLATION ).
Install the right front wheel.
NOTE: On J35A8 engine, be careful not to damage or chip the paint of the brake calipers when installing the wheel.
Do the crankshaft position (CKP) pattern clear/CKP pattern learn procedure (see CRANK (CKP) PATTERN CLEAR/CRANK (CKP) PATTERN LEARN ).