🔧 Water Pump - Replacement

The water pump on your Accord is driven by the timing belt, so this job is more involved than a normal bolt-on pump. The timing belt, tensioner, idlers, and coolant should be serviced while you are in there to avoid doing the same labor twice.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Let the engine cool fully before opening the cooling system. Hot coolant can cause severe burns.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable before starting. This is important when working near the starter, alternator, and timing components.
• Use a jack stand set, not just a jack. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
• The timing belt area must stay clean. Dirt or coolant on the belt can shorten belt life.
• If the timing marks are not aligned correctly, do not crank the engine. Recheck timing before starting.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Metric socket set (8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm)
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Honda crank pulley holding tool (specialty)
• Timing belt tensioner pin or pin punch (specialty)
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Drain pan
• Funnel
• Pick tool
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Shop towels
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Water pump - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket or O-ring - Qty: 1
• Timing belt kit - Qty: 1
• Timing belt tensioner - Qty: 1
• Timing belt idler pulley(s) - Qty: 1 set
• Engine coolant - Qty: 2 gallons
• Honda-approved sealant - Qty: 1 tube

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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 car and support it securely on jack stands.
• Drain the coolant into a clean drain pan.
• Replace the timing belt parts now.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain the cooling system

• Use a drain pan under the radiator drain area and open the drain cock.
• Remove the radiator cap only after the engine is fully cool.
• Drain all coolant and reinstall the drain cock after draining.

Step 2: Remove the accessory drive belt

• Use the correct metric socket and breaker bar on the belt tensioner to release tension.
• Slip the belt off the pulleys and set it aside.
• Take a quick belt-routing photo first.

Step 3: Remove the passenger-side splash shield and related covers

• Use the 8mm socket and flat-head screwdriver to remove the splash shield fasteners.
• Remove any lower engine covers needed to reach the crank pulley and timing cover.

Step 4: Remove the crank pulley

• Use the Honda crank pulley holding tool and a 17mm socket with a breaker bar to loosen the crank bolt.
• Remove the crank pulley once the bolt is out.
• Torque on reassembly: 245 Nm (181 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the timing covers

• Use the 10mm socket to remove the upper and lower timing cover bolts.
• Carefully lift the covers away and keep track of bolt locations.

Step 6: Set engine timing to top dead center

• Use a 17mm socket on the crankshaft bolt to rotate the engine clockwise only.
• Align the timing marks on the cam gears and crankshaft to the service position.
• Do not turn the engine backward.

Step 7: Release timing belt tension

• Use the appropriate socket and the timing belt tensioner pin tool to compress and lock the tensioner.
• Remove the timing belt from the pulleys.
• Remove the tensioner and idler pulley(s) if you are replacing the full kit.

Step 8: Remove the old water pump

• Use the 10mm socket to remove the water pump bolts.
• Break the pump loose carefully and remove it from the engine.
• Catch any remaining coolant with the drain pan.

Step 9: Clean the mounting surface

• Use a plastic scraper and shop towels to clean the sealing surface.
• Do not gouge the aluminum surface.
• Keep debris out of the engine.

Step 10: Install the new water pump

• Install the new gasket or O-ring on the new pump.
• Position the pump and start all bolts by hand.
• Tighten the water pump bolts evenly with a torque wrench to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Install the timing belt kit

• Install the idler pulley(s) and tensioner using the correct metric sockets.
• Route the timing belt over the sprockets while keeping the belt tight on the non-tensioned side.
• Release the tensioner pin so the belt is tensioned.
• Verify all timing marks still line up.

Step 12: Rotate and recheck timing

• Use a 17mm socket to rotate the engine clockwise by hand two full turns.
• Recheck all timing marks after rotation.
• If marks are off, reset timing before continuing.

Step 13: Reinstall covers and crank pulley

• Reinstall the timing covers with the 10mm socket.
• Install the crank pulley and tighten the crank bolt to 245 Nm (181 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the splash shield and any lower covers.

Step 14: Reinstall the accessory drive belt

• Use the breaker bar on the tensioner and route the belt back onto the pulleys.
• Make sure the belt is fully seated in every pulley groove.

Step 15: Refill and bleed the cooling system

• Fill the system with the correct engine coolant using a funnel.
• Start the engine and let it warm up with the radiator cap off if the service procedure allows.
• Top off coolant as air bleeds out.
• Torque the radiator drain cock gently snug, not over-tight.

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✅ After Repair

• Check for coolant leaks at the water pump, radiator, and hoses.
• Watch engine temperature during the first drive.
• Recheck coolant level after the engine cools completely.
• Listen for timing belt noise or chirping.
• If the temperature rises abnormally, shut the engine off immediately.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,100-$1,800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$500 (parts only)

You Save: $850-$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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