Any DIY timing belt/ water pump write-ups? - Acura Forum

Villaininblack · 05-26-08, 03:48 AM

Just wondering if anyone has successfully changed their timing belt and water pump in their 99-04 Rl. I own three Civics and a Del Sol, and have changed their timing belts, water pumps, and even a belt tensioner. Wondering how difficult it would be on the 99-04 Rl, and if it is comparable, if their are any do it yourself write ups with pics. Thanks for any help in advance.

RLuke · 05-26-08, 04:33 PM

i did it.
i'd call myself as well-experienced when it comes to mechanics on cars, but this job was really a challenge to me. it sounds quite easy, changing the belts and you're done. but it is not. RL's engine has a lots of wires, hoses, pipes, etc. and you really have to take care of what you do.
it is doable, but you have to take care of each of the steps you do.
before you get your hands on the water pump or on the timing belt you will strip a lot of things off the engine.
don't want to scare you off, but just consider it as an advanced job on the RL.

97_RLer · 05-27-08, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLuke

i did it.
i'd call myself as well-experienced when it comes to mechanics on cars, but this job was really a challenge to me. it sounds quite easy, changing the belts and you're done. but it is not. RL's engine has a lots of wires, hoses, pipes, etc. and you really have to take care of what you do.
it is doable, but you have to take care of each of the steps you do.
before you get your hands on the water pump or on the timing belt you will strip a lot of things off the engine.
don't want to scare you off, but just consider it as an advanced job on the RL.

What kind of special tools are needed to do it? I have to do the timing belt and water pump change soon. As I know, the engine will misfire if a tooth off front TDC when you replace the belt. How can you hold crankshaft and camshafts in place?

Budreau68 · 06-09-08, 06:29 PM

Special Tools, get the Honda Crankshaft removal tool, a 20" power bar, an deep well impact socket that fits the crankcase bolt, and a three foot piece of pipe otherwise you'll never get the drive pulley off the crank, which then you won't remove the timing belt cover, and you'll be dead in the water. When I replaced my timing belt and water pump, it took 4 days. 1 full day to tear down and rebuild. 3 days struggling to get the drive pulley bolt broken free.

There is a way to build your own tool, involving a 1 or 2" plumbing end (6 sided piece) and pipe, but I couldn't get it to work. Tool is about $25, try eBay. If you want to create the tool, check for the specs, I think it was on this forum.

Process:
A few days before you start, spray the crankcase bolt with a good penetrating oil. When you're ready, the crankcase removal tool goes on a big rachet/power bar. Turn the crank till the rachet/wrench rests on the frame of the car. Then thru the middle of the crankcase tool insert your socket on the end of your huge power bar, I bought a 6 sided impact deep well socket after shearing off a smaller socket. Then if you can't get that to budge, throw on a piece of three foot pipe or so and break that bolt free. That's the process that ultimately worked for me. Very frustrating. When using pipes to increase leverage be very careful, you are now able to exceed the intended load limit on many tools you wouldn't ordinarily think you could break. Plus you run the risk of shearing the bolt threads which would result in a probable end to your timing belt change. Just make sure everything has good contact/seating before turning the power bar and turn it slowly. I moved the bolt about 1/8th of a turn with the pipe then the rest of the way just the power bar.

The drive pulley sits on tooth, so you can still turn the crank when the crank bolt is removed. Use blue locktite when putting everything back together. Enjoy and breath.

RLuke · 06-10-08, 06:47 AM

yeah, getting the pulley off is a bi..., but i had a tool to remove it, so it went smooth. 1 minute and the pulley was off.

it is important to work in a clean area in order not to loose overview on all those small bolts, hoses and parts coming off.
replacing the timing belt itself is easy for an experienced car mechanic. the same goes for the water pump. just take your time to clean all the surface, where the pump touches the engine. grind it off with 600 sand paper. do NEVER scratch the left over with a screwdriver. the engine is made of aluminium, and a screwdriver would make to deep scratches.

05-26-08, 03:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Villaininblack Car 4 1998 Civic Ex Coupe Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tucson, Az Posts: 11 Car 1: 1997 Civic Dx Coupe Car 2: 1999 Acura Rl Car 3: 1993 Honda Del Sol	Any DIY timing belt/ water pump write-ups? Just wondering if anyone has successfully changed their timing belt and water pump in their 99-04 Rl. I own three Civics and a Del Sol, and have changed their timing belts, water pumps, and even a belt tensioner. Wondering how difficult it would be on the 99-04 Rl, and if it is comparable, if their are any do it yourself write ups with pics. Thanks for any help in advance. __________________ -Everytime I close my eyes I see my life in rewind.

06-09-08, 06:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Budreau68 2000 RL Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7	Special Tools, get the Honda Crankshaft removal tool, a 20" power bar, an deep well impact socket that fits the crankcase bolt, and a three foot piece of pipe otherwise you'll never get the drive pulley off the crank, which then you won't remove the timing belt cover, and you'll be dead in the water. When I replaced my timing belt and water pump, it took 4 days. 1 full day to tear down and rebuild. 3 days struggling to get the drive pulley bolt broken free. There is a way to build your own tool, involving a 1 or 2" plumbing end (6 sided piece) and pipe, but I couldn't get it to work. Tool is about $25, try eBay. If you want to create the tool, check for the specs, I think it was on this forum. Process: A few days before you start, spray the crankcase bolt with a good penetrating oil. When you're ready, the crankcase removal tool goes on a big rachet/power bar. Turn the crank till the rachet/wrench rests on the frame of the car. Then thru the middle of the crankcase tool insert your socket on the end of your huge power bar, I bought a 6 sided impact deep well socket after shearing off a smaller socket. Then if you can't get that to budge, throw on a piece of three foot pipe or so and break that bolt free. That's the process that ultimately worked for me. Very frustrating. When using pipes to increase leverage be very careful, you are now able to exceed the intended load limit on many tools you wouldn't ordinarily think you could break. Plus you run the risk of shearing the bolt threads which would result in a probable end to your timing belt change. Just make sure everything has good contact/seating before turning the power bar and turn it slowly. I moved the bolt about 1/8th of a turn with the pipe then the rest of the way just the power bar. The drive pulley sits on tooth, so you can still turn the crank when the crank bolt is removed. Use blue locktite when putting everything back together. Enjoy and breath. __________________ If it ain't broke, I can't fix it.

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05-26-08, 04:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
RLuke Running on LPG Join Date: May 2006 Location: Europe Posts: 325 Your Mood: Car 1: 1999 Lexus LS400 Car 2: 2008 Renault Sport F1 R26	i did it. i'd call myself as well-experienced when it comes to mechanics on cars, but this job was really a challenge to me. it sounds quite easy, changing the belts and you're done. but it is not. RL's engine has a lots of wires, hoses, pipes, etc. and you really have to take care of what you do. it is doable, but you have to take care of each of the steps you do. before you get your hands on the water pump or on the timing belt you will strip a lot of things off the engine. don't want to scare you off, but just consider it as an advanced job on the RL.

06-10-08, 06:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
RLuke Running on LPG Join Date: May 2006 Location: Europe Posts: 325 Your Mood: Car 1: 1999 Lexus LS400 Car 2: 2008 Renault Sport F1 R26	yeah, getting the pulley off is a bi..., but i had a tool to remove it, so it went smooth. 1 minute and the pulley was off. it is important to work in a clean area in order not to loose overview on all those small bolts, hoses and parts coming off. replacing the timing belt itself is easy for an experienced car mechanic. the same goes for the water pump. just take your time to clean all the surface, where the pump touches the engine. grind it off with 600 sand paper. do NEVER scratch the left over with a screwdriver. the engine is made of aluminium, and a screwdriver would make to deep scratches.

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