How to Change the Belt on a 2003 CRV

The drive belt is routed across multiple pulleys

On the Honda CRV engine, the alternator, water pump, power steering pump and air conditioning compressor are turned by the drive belt. The drive belt on the CRV has an automatic tensioner, so you never need to adjust the tension yourself. You should inspect the belt on occasion and replace the drive belt if the wear indicator has moved beyond the specified range.

Things You'll Need

• Jack
• Jack stands
• Lug wrench
• Wrench with socket
• Drive belt

Instructions

1. Apply the parking brake on the vehicle. Raise the front end, support it on jack stands and remove the front wheel on the passenger side. Loosening the jug nuts before you raise the vehicle will help.

2. Disconnect the splash shield in the wheel well.

3. Study the drive belt and make sure you know the exact path on the pulleys that it follows. On many vehicles, there is a diagram printed somewhere in the engine compartment showing the path.

4. Place a socket wrench, ratchet or breaker bar on the bolt for the tensioner pulley for the belt you are changing. Rotate the tensioner clockwise to release the tension on the drive belt and slip the belt off the pulleys. Release the tensioner slowly and carefully.

5. Install the replacement drive belt, making sure it follows the same path as the old belt and is centered on the pulleys. Rotate the tensioner again so the belt fits over it, then slowly release the tensioner until it contacts the belt with the belt centered on it.

6. Re-install the splash shield and the wheel and lower the car once the drive belt is in place.

Tips & Warnings

• The drive belt also should be replaced if it is frayed or glazed (shiny), missing multiple ribs or if the ridges are cracked along their inner ridges.

• If you need to replace the drive belt tensioner, you must first remove the belt, then unbolt and remove the power steering pump to access the tensioner. Unscrew the tensioner pulley bolt and then remove the pulley's mounting bolts. Bolt the new tensioner in place and tighten the tensioner bolt.

References

• "Chilton Honda Civic and CR-V Repair Manual"; Robert Maddox; Haynes North America; 2004

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish