fishaholic

How's this thing work? I loosened the retaining bolt but I'm having trouble releasing tension on the timming belt. How do I know if this Auto Tensioner is working properly?

Mr Yamada

Not knowing WHAT YEAR I'm guessing you need this info;

dtapia

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr Yamada &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not knowing WHAT YEAR I'm guessing you need this info;

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the above method is no longer used since their was a lot of issues from people over tightening the bolt and breaking the back plate.
the way to release the tension is to remove the tensioner completely and then use use a vise to compress the rod back into the body once that is completed use a small punch and insert it into the hole in the housing. most likely the tensioner is leaking and will need to be replaced.

cjo_28

No one will get this, but here it is anyway:

Remove the p/s pump pulley (leave the pump installed). Leave the tensioner installed (don't even touch a bolt) and leave the old timing belt installed. Use a long straight screwdriver to pry against the tensioner pulley until you can tuck it behind the p/s pump shaft. The hydraulic tensioner will slowly release pressure on the belt.

Now, crack loose the 14mm bolt on the idler pulley (the pulley next to the tensioner pulley). You now have enough freeplay in the belt to do what ever you want with it. You can snake the belt out from behind the screwdriver or just cut it. Installation takes about 3 minutes.

I've only replaced 3 or 4 thousand Honda V6 timing belts, so sorry if your eyes are crossed after you read this. But hey, it takes me 25 minutes to do a V6 timing belt, start to finish. You might want to give it a try.

Oh yeah, I'm assuming you have the longer piston style tensioner (not the shorter one with the 8mm bolt on the bottom). The shorter one will not move backwards with pressure, but because you loosen the idler pulley, this technique still works.

Turbowa

Or what you could do is un-bolt the tentioner and take the little nut off the back. There is a little screw on the in side that you can back out, keep pressure on the front of the tentioner and it will go in as you turn the screw. If you need to add some oil to the tentioner just use good old motor oil. Either 5w30 or 10w30 will do. To hold the tentioner retracted you can either put a zip-tie around it and tighten it or you can purchas the right tool from the honda parts department. The tool only costs about $10. Its also the same one that is used on the preludes.

But take this for what its worth, I think the guy that has done thousands of them in 25min is the all knowing one.

spydercatt

Here is a detailed video with step-by-step instruction on the replacement of the timing belt on the Honda Acura V6 J Series engine, including the replacement of the pulleys, tensioner, as well as the water pump and special tools needed to complete the job.