rlee

Finally did our 2003 Odyssey EX timing belt at 107,000 miles. Quite an adventure, especially with a stubborn crankshaft pulley bolt -- never saw a 1/2" breaker bar bend like that!

After all came back together (6 hours solo, including water pump replacement and coolant air burping), I reviewed the steps and cannot be 100% certain that I put the timing belt guide plate on the crankshaft in the right direction (concave side out -- away from the belt). Van starts fine and runs better and quieter than ever. Already have driven over 100 miles around town and all is well. But the nagging thought that the TB guide plate might be on backwards still bugs me.

The instructions I used were a bit cryptic on the orientation of the plate, so I remember putting it on and it just fits. Does the TB guide plate fit like a glove when installed backwards?

Tonight I took the upper front TB cover to look for any edge wear on the new belt which I think would occur quickly if the plate was reversed. None. Perfect condition. Crankshaft pulley still on tight with no side-play when spinning.

Do I have anything to worry? I would think that if the guide plate were installed reversed, I would have a shredded belt quickly.

(BTW, the OEM TB looked fantastic...almost as good as the new Gates. Perhaps Honda is indeed conservative in its TB replacement interval.)

nbld1

6 hours for a 45 minute job?

rlee

The whole timing belt/water pump replacement took 6 hours.

Anyways, if I were to put the TB guide plate in backwards, would it run well? Or would the belt began to fray quickly from the concave edges?

ashtons300zx

It would fit just fine reversed but like you already mentioned the timing belt outer edge of the belt would probably be frayed at least a bit. If it hasnt after a 100 miles then you probably put it on correctly. If your that worried about it why not just pull the pulley back off and check?

But honestly I wouldnt be too worried about it if it hasnt shown signs of being reversed yet.

BTW My 05 MDX now has 145k miles and still on the original belt, water pump and seals. My wife just had to get a new serpentine belt for it because the original is just now showing signs of being dried up a bit causing squeeling any time moisture gets on it. I checked the belt before I went back to Afghanistan at about 120k miles and the belt looked in great shape. Doesnt have a single leak of any type of fluid. These v6's are reliable as hell. When I get back here in a month and a half Ill be doing the TB, WP, cam and crank seals, tensioner, Ps drain and refill and feed line o-ring replacement, and Valve lash adjustment and of course the VC gaskets to go with it.

Its been a great vehicle. No complaints.

rlee

Yeah, I will pull the crankshaft pulley next week just to be certain -- I have heard and read several horror stories of DIY and mechanics putting that guide plate on backwards. Rather spend the time just to have peace of mind.

Great engine, I agree....

rkpatt

Reviving an old thread..... I just did a TB replacement on a 2001 Honda Odyessy J35 and have wound up with a noisy PS pump ( even after bleeding). If the timing belt guide plate was installed backwards would it cause the crankshaft pulley to stick out a slightly more and move it out of alignment enough to cause any axial / thrust problems with the PS pump belt / accessory belts ? I couldn't determine whether the installed direction was correct or incorrect when I pulled the crankshaft pulley as very little of the face of the guide plate is exposed. What should I be seeing ? I couldn't see any of the belt (looking for damaged edge) through inspection hole in the front TB cover using a flashlight and mirror so I guess that I will remove it next. Any other way to check this without removing the lower timing cover? (Maybe cut a small inspection hole in lower timing cover near the crank pulley?) I am looking for suggestions ? -Thanks