🔧 Accord - Timing Belt Replacement

Your Accord’s 2.4L engine uses a timing chain, not a timing belt—so there is no timing belt to replace. If you’re trying to fix a noise, check-engine light, or suspected “belt” issue, the correct repair is usually timing chain/tensioner/guides service, not a belt job.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 6-10 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool completely; hot coolant/oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands; never work under a car supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Support the engine before removing the passenger-side engine mount.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the battery to prevent accidental cranking.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear when releasing the chain tensioner; it’s spring-loaded.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Metric socket set (8mm-22mm)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar (24" minimum)
• Torque wrench (10-250 ft-lbs range)
• Serpentine belt tool (14mm) (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer/crank pulley holder tool (Honda type) (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer puller kit (specialty)
• Metric wrench set (10mm-19mm)
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat trim clip tool
• Pry bar (12" minimum)
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Funnel
• Plastic razor blade scraper
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Paint marker

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain - Qty: 1
• Timing chain tensioner - Qty: 1
• Timing chain guide set - Qty: 1
• Timing cover RTV sealant (HondaBond-type) - Qty: 1
• Valve cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Spark plug tube seals - Qty: 4
• Front crankshaft seal - Qty: 1
• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (Honda Type 2 compatible) - Qty: 1-2 gallons
• Serpentine drive belt - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and install wheel chocks.
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal using a 10mm socket.
• Lift the front-right with a floor jack and support with jack stands.
• Remove the front-right wheel using a 19mm socket.
• Support the engine with a floor jack and a wood block before removing the engine mount.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the splash shield

• Remove the inner fender/splash shield clips with a flat trim clip tool and screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

Step 2: Drain coolant

• Position a drain pan and open the radiator drain to remove coolant.

Step 3: Remove the serpentine belt

• Use a serpentine belt tool (14mm) to rotate the belt tensioner and slide the belt off.
• Belt tensioner definition: a spring-loaded arm that keeps the belt tight.

Step 4: Remove the crank pulley

• Hold the pulley with the harmonic balancer/crank pulley holder tool.
• Remove the crank bolt with a 1/2" breaker bar and appropriate socket.
• Pull the pulley with a harmonic balancer puller kit if needed.
• Torque to 245 Nm (181 ft-lbs) on reassembly (crank bolt).

Step 5: Remove the passenger-side engine mount

• Verify the engine is supported with the floor jack and wood block.
• Remove mount/bracket fasteners using a metric socket set (14mm-19mm) and ratchet.

Step 6: Remove the valve cover

• Remove ignition coil bolts using a 10mm socket and lift coils out.
• Remove valve cover fasteners using a 10mm socket and lift the cover off.
• Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs) on reassembly (valve cover fasteners).

Step 7: Set cylinder 1 to TDC on compression

• Rotate the engine clockwise using a socket and ratchet on the crank bolt (temporarily installed).
• Align cam and crank timing marks to their reference points; mark them with a paint marker.
• Tip: If you’re unsure, stop—timing must be exact.

Step 8: Remove the front timing cover

• Remove timing cover bolts using a 10mm socket and 12mm socket.
• Break the RTV seal carefully using a plastic razor blade scraper and gentle leverage with a pry bar.
• Clean mating surfaces with brake cleaner spray and shop towels.
• Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs) on reassembly for typical timing cover small bolts.

Step 9: Replace tensioner and guides

• Remove the chain tensioner bolts using a 10mm socket, then remove the tensioner.
• Remove chain guides using a 10mm socket.

Step 10: Replace the timing chain and verify timing marks

• Install the new chain so the chain’s colored links line up with the cam and crank sprocket timing marks.
• Install new guides using a 10mm socket.
• Install the new tensioner using a 10mm socket, then release the tensioner pin.
• Tip: Rotate by hand two turns and recheck marks.

Step 11: Re-seal and reinstall the timing cover

• Apply timing cover RTV sealant (HondaBond-type) in a continuous bead.
• Install the cover, hand-thread bolts, then tighten evenly using a torque wrench.
• Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs) (typical small cover bolts).

Step 12: Reassemble and refill fluids

• Install the valve cover with a new gasket; tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall engine mount using a socket set (tighten securely by location).
• Reinstall crank pulley and torque crank bolt using the pulley holder tool and torque wrench: Torque to 245 Nm (181 ft-lbs).
• Install the serpentine belt using the serpentine belt tool (14mm).
• Refill coolant and top off as needed using a funnel.
• Change oil and filter using a drain pan and refill with 0W-20.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and listen for abnormal rattles.
• Check for oil leaks at the timing cover and crank seal area.
• Bring the engine to operating temp and recheck coolant level.
• Test drive lightly, then recheck for leaks.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,200-$2,500 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $950-$1,850 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 6-10 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.