Replacing your vehicle's timing belt can be time consuming, but with the proper tools and instruction, most self-proclaimed mechanics are up to the task. Checking and replacing your Honda CR-V's timing belt regularly ensures its optimum performance. Consider changing your water pump at the same time since you will have to disconnect it anyway.
Check your owner's manual for the recommended mileage for replacing your timing belt. Replacement for a Honda CR-V is 105,000 miles.
Locate the timing belt and examine it for breaks, damage, fraying, worn spots or looseness.
Inspect the belt for cracked or missing teeth that may be the result of foreign material collecting between them.
Determine if the timing belt damage is on both sides. The timing belt's guide may cause single-side damage.
Disengage the negative battery cable and safely secure the car on jack stands
Rotate the crankshaft to line up the No. 1 piston at "Top Dead Center" (TDC) and take off the splash guard and cruise control actuator (if installed).
Take out all power steering parts, including the pump drive belt, hose, pump and reservoir.
Disconnect the accessory drive belts, upper engine bracket and valve cover.
Place the engine at TDC for the No. 1 cylinder.
Remove the crankshaft pulley and timing belt covers. Relax the timing belt's tension by pushing on the tensioner and secure the bolt.
Unfasten the timing belt.
Line up all timing marks. Place the timing belt around the crankshaft sprocket. Place a clean cloth inserted in between the timing belt and the sensor guard. This keeps the belt engaged with the sprocket's teeth.
Position the belt's flat side around the upper right side of the tensioner. Rotate the section housing the timing belt's teeth to the left and beneath the water pump sprocket's underside.
Keep the crankshaft in place and pull the belt up. Take hold of the toothed side and raise it sufficiently to slide it on top of the intake camshaft sprocket. When it begins sliding, move the timing belt evenly on the intake and exhaust camshaft sprockets. Secure the timing belt tensioner bolt and remove the cloth.
Eliminate any slack between the sprockets. Connect the crankshaft pulley sprocket/timing belt guide washer, timing belt covers and crankshaft pulley. Secure the bolt at 130 foot pounds (177 Nm).
Seat the timing belt by turning it five times to the left. Move the No. 1 piston to TDC. Take out the timing belt tensioner plug. Release the adjusting bolt one-half rotation. Turn the crankshaft to the left three teeth on the camshaft pulley.
Secure the adjusting bolt to 40 foot pounds (54 Nm) and the crankshaft pulley bolt to 130 foot pounds (177 Nm).
Replace any remaining items that you disconnected. Lower the car and reconnect the negative battery cable. Start the engine and look for leaks.
