🔧 Timing Belt - Replacement

The timing belt on your Accord’s V6 keeps the camshafts and crankshaft synchronized. If it fails, the engine can be seriously damaged, so this is a critical service. On this engine, it’s smart to replace the belt, tensioner, idler, and water pump at the same time.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 6-8 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Disconnect the negative battery cable before starting.
• Work on a cool engine only. Hot coolant and hot metal can burn you.
• Support the engine from below before removing the right-side engine mount.
• Use a crank pulley holding tool. Do not try to stop the crank with a pry bar.
• Keep the belt and gears clean. Oil or coolant on the belt can cause failure.
• Set the engine at top dead center before removal so timing marks are aligned.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Crank pulley holding tool (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer puller (specialty)
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Engine support bar or jack with wood block
• Screwdriver set
• Pry bar
• Drain pan
• Coolant funnel
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing belt kit - Qty: 1
• Timing belt tensioner - Qty: 1
• Timing belt idler pulley - Qty: 1
• Water pump - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket or seal - Qty: 1
• Accessory drive belt - Qty: 1
• Coolant - Qty: 2 gallons
• Valve cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Front crankshaft seal - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool completely.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable.
• Raise the front of the vehicle and support it securely on jack stands.
• Set the engine to Top Dead Center (TDC) on cylinder 1 before removing the belt. TDC means the piston is at its highest point.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the engine covers and intake parts

• Use a 10mm socket and screwdriver set to remove the engine cover, intake duct, and any splash shields blocking access.
• Set all clips and fasteners aside in order.

Step 2: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan under the radiator.
• Open the radiator drain with a pliers or screwdriver, depending on the drain style.
• Drain enough coolant to keep it below the water pump level.

Step 3: Remove the accessory drive belt

• Use a 14mm socket or breaker bar on the belt tensioner to relieve tension.
• Slip the belt off the pulleys and remove it.

Step 4: Support the engine and remove the right engine mount

• Place an engine support bar or a floor jack with a wood block under the oil pan.
• Use a 14mm socket and 17mm socket to remove the mount fasteners.
• Remove the mount and bracket for access to the timing cover.
• Torque on reassembly: Torque the mount fasteners to factory spec.

Step 5: Remove the crankshaft pulley

• Use a 19mm socket, breaker bar, and crank pulley holding tool to loosen the crank bolt.
• Remove the crank pulley bolt and pulley.
• Tip: Mark the pulley position first.
• Torque on reassembly: Crankshaft pulley bolt is typically tightened to factory spec using Honda’s tightening procedure.

Step 6: Remove the timing covers

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the upper and lower timing cover bolts.
• Carefully remove the covers without damaging the gasket surfaces.

Step 7: Set the engine to timing marks

• Use a 19mm socket on the crank bolt to rotate the engine clockwise.
• Align the crankshaft timing mark and camshaft timing marks exactly to their reference points.
• Do not rotate the engine counterclockwise.

Step 8: Remove the old timing belt and tensioner

• Use a 12mm socket to remove the belt tensioner and idler pulley.
• Remove the timing belt carefully without moving the camshafts or crankshaft.
• Tip: Keep the timing marks in view.

Step 9: Replace the water pump

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the water pump bolts.
• Remove the pump and old gasket.
• Clean the sealing surface and install the new water pump with a new gasket.
• Torque to factory spec.

Step 10: Install the new tensioner, idler, and timing belt

• Install the new idler pulley and tensioner with a 12mm socket.
• Route the new timing belt around the crankshaft, water pump, idler, and cam pulleys in the correct order.
• Keep tension on the non-tensioner side while installing.
• Release the tensioner to apply belt tension.
• Torque to factory spec.

Step 11: Verify timing marks

• Use a 19mm socket to rotate the engine by hand two full turns clockwise.
• Recheck all timing marks.
• If marks do not line up, remove the belt and correct it before continuing.

Step 12: Reassemble the front of the engine

• Install the timing covers with a 10mm socket.
• Install the crank pulley using a 19mm socket and holding tool.
• Reinstall the engine mount and bracket with a 14mm socket and 17mm socket.
• Install the accessory belt and remove the engine support.
• Torque to factory spec.

Step 13: Refill coolant and finish assembly

• Refill with the correct coolant using a coolant funnel.
• Reinstall all intake parts, covers, and splash shields with a 10mm socket.
• Reconnect the negative battery cable.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and listen for unusual ticking, rubbing, or squealing.
• Check for coolant leaks around the water pump and hoses.
• Watch the temperature gauge during warm-up.
• Recheck coolant level after the engine cools.
• If the engine runs rough or a check-engine light appears, stop and recheck timing alignment.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,200-$2,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $300-$700 (parts only)

You Save: $900-$1,300 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 6-8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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