How to Install a Honda CR-V Timing Belt

The 1997 through 2000 CR-V features a 2.0L engine, which is an interference engine. This means that if the timing belt stretches past the scope of the tensioner, the valves will most likely hit the pistons and cause extensive engine damage. Honda recommends changing the timing belt every 105,000 miles or 84 months, whichever comes first. Several special tools are required and all can be purchased at any Honda dealership. It takes about three and one-half hours to install a timing belt.

Things You'll Need

• Set of wrenches
• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Lug wrench
• Set of sockets
• Pulley holder No. 07MAB-PY3010A
• Handle No. 07JAB-001020A
• Socket No. 07JAA-001020A
• Torque wrench

Instructions

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and lay it aside, ensuring that it does not touch metal. Raise the front of the CR-V with the floor jack, then support it with jack stands. Remove the left-front wheel using the lug wrench. Remove the engine splash guard using the appropriate sockets.

2. Loosen the accessory drive belt tensioners. There are two types of tensioners: sliders and a pulley. Loosen the locking nuts, then loosen the slider bolts for each accessory. Push the accessory toward the engine. Lift the belt off the pulleys. Place a wrench or a socket on the accessory belt tensioner pulley. Push the pulley away from the belt to loosen the tension. Lift the belt off the pulley.

3. Unbolt and remove the cruise control actuator, located on the valve cover. Turn the crankshaft counterclockwise until the white timing marks on the crankshaft pulley are lined up near the 9 o’clock position.

4. Support the engine with the floor jack. Remove the left engine mount and the valve cover using the appropriate sockets. Check that the letters “UP” are at the 12 o’clock position on both camshafts.

5. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt using the pulley holder, handle and socket. Remove the crankshaft pulley, upper and lower timing belt covers, and the guide washer on the crankshaft sprocket. Check that the timing marks are lined up. The timing marks on the crankshaft sprocket are at the 11 o’clock position. The timing marks on both camshafts are at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock position. The timing mark on the left camshaft (as you are looking down at the engine) should line up with the timing mark at the 9 o’clock position on the right camshaft.

6. Loosen the tensioner bolt one-half turn, then push the tensioner down, away from the belt. Tighten the bolt enough to hold it out of the way. Lift the timing belt off the sprockets. Check that the timing marks are still lined up, and that the letters “UP” are still at the 12 o’clock position.

7. Install the timing belt starting on the crankshaft pulley. Route the timing belt behind the tensioner, in front of the water pump and over the top of the two camshafts. Make the belt taut between the sprockets on the non-tensioned side. Loosen the tensioner bolt, allowing the tensioner to put tension on the bolt. Tighten the bolt enough to hold the tensioner in place.

8. Reinstall the guide washer to the crankshaft sprocket, the lower timing belt cover, the upper timing belt cover and the crankshaft pulley. Oil the threads and the face of the crankshaft pulley bolt. Insert and tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to 130 foot-pounds of torque.

9. Turn the crankshaft counterclockwise six turns. Check that the timing marks on the crankshaft pulley and 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions on the crankshaft are still lined up. Remove the plug from the lower timing belt cover. Loosen the tensioner bolt one-half turn, using a socket. Turn the crankshaft counterclockwise until one tooth on one of the camshafts moves three teeth past its timing mark. Tighten the tensioner bolt to 40 foot-pounds of torque. Retorque the crankshaft pulley bolt to 130 foot-pounds of torque. Install the rest of the parts in reverse order of removal.

References

• "Timing Belts, Domestic and Imported Cars, Vans and Light Trucks 1974-2000"; Autodata; 2001