How To Change A Timing Belt

How To Change A Timing Belt

How to hold the pulley on Accords or pulleys with a hex design.


The first step is that you will need a hex wrench or...
http://breebamboo.ipage.com/archive/images/hex.th.gif

you can build your own using a hex cap, hex nut(s) and a pipe wrench. 


Hex CapsHex Nuts
These pipe images from retailer http://www.instrumentassociates.com/pipe/pipe-fittings.asp is a good example.

How to build one and use it on your car:

  1. Find a good size hex cap.

  2. File the hex cap to fit the pulley, if the size is not perfect.

  3. Twist the hex nuts (two nuts) by hand into hex cap and lock it into place.

  4. Insert the 19-mm socket wrench into the pulley bolt.

  5. Insert the hex cap assembly into the pulley.

  6. Hold the outer hex nut with a pipe wrench.

  7. Insert a cheater pipe into the pipe wrench.

  8. With a breaker bar, loosen the pulley bolt.

  9. Remove the bolt and pulley and remove the key.

If it takes more than human power to move the bolt then you will need a special hex tool or the home made tool above. If it takes less power to loosen the pulley bolt then the screw driver method below is an alternative for an automatic.

Timing belt rotation for Accord is counterclockwise. Bolt releases counterclockwise: Image

 

Holding the pulley steady with this tool for the Crx and Civic.

 


These above images explain how to use the special tools. Some Civics and Integras may use a hex tool not shown. Some may allow a chain to be bolted to the pulley if the pulley has a hole.

 

 

Others can use a square rod jammed and locked into the flywheel in three points - (DO NOT just jam the screw driver in there incorrectly. This will destroy the flywheel and it's functionality. Do not attempt this on a manual transmission. Don't attempt this if the removal requires excessively straining on the crankshaft or engine mount. To see if this is excessively straining the engine, push or pull the breaker bar by using human power alone and if no go, then use the proper tools, homemade or not.)

 

 

A crowbar to lock the pulley. Image below use a crowbar to lock the pulley.


 

 

A chain to lock the pulley. Bolt the chain to both sides on the pulley (for balance) and the car frame. Protect chain from damaging the pulley with a cloth. Handle the pulley with care since chipping or damage can cause an imbalance or wear out the drive belt prematurely. If the surface of the pulley is shiny, wipe on some belt grip compound before installing, but not on the timing belt pulley.

pulley honda

 

Replacement Instructions:

Remove the timing belt cover.

Timing belt

Mark the belts to the belt's pulleys. Warning: if your forget this step, you will have to reposition the timing which involves many procedures and more prone to fail.

Loosen the tensioner bolt and remove the belt.

Mark the the new belt(s) similar to the old belt(s.)

Install the new belt(s) making sure the new belt goes with the same marks (you've marked) on the crankshaft timing belt pulley and the camshaft.

Tighten the belt tensioner bolt and twist the cam clockwise a bit by hand - or towards the direction of engine spin. Don't be tempted to use a wrench as this will either tighten or loosen the cam bolt. Instead grab the cam wheel and spin it. Normally I use a wooden rod or a rope.

Loosen the tensioner bolt and tighten the tensioner bolt. The rest of the procedures are left to your intuition noting that the crank pulley bolt for the 86-89 Accord is 83-ft-lb.

1990 Accord: 166 ft-lbs

1991-93 Accord: 159 ft-lbs

1994-95 Accord: 181 ft-lbs

1984-87 Civic: 83 ft-lbs

1988-91 Civic: 119 ft-lbs

1992-95 Civic: 134 ft-lbs

How to change a broken timing belt.

*Realign the camshaft so that the word "UP" is not upside down. On the camshaft are two markings. Align the marks to the flat surface of the head. *Realign the timing TDC mark on the pulley (or on the flywheel on Accords) to the pointer. *Install the belt. *Tighten the tensioner. *Tighten the belt tensioner bolt and twist the cam clockwise a bit by hand - or towards the direction of engine spin. Don't be tempted to use a wrench as this will either tighten or loosen the cam bolt. Instead grab the cam wheel and spin it. Normally I use a wooden rod or a rope.

Loosen the tensioner bolt and tighten the tensioner bolt. The rest of the procedures are left to your intuition noting that the crank pulley bolt for the 86-89 Accord is 83-ft-lb.