Using the .pdf by TouringAccord as a guide to replace timing belt on my 2002 Accord SE 4 cyl.

I'm a little confused - got the new water pump on and about to put on timing belt. There is a timing mark on the oil pump. I've been careful to make sure the cam and the crank are both still at TDC...does the oil pump have to be lined up perfectly as well? If so, I'm not sure I'm understanding how to get it lined up.

 

I think I misunderstood the parts I was looking at. I think accidentally removed the rear balance shaft thinking it was the water pump. I reseated the gasket and put it back on, but did not line up the mark on the outer gear with anything.

Not really sure I want to go further until I know how big of a deal that is.

Even if I pulled that back off, if I moved the gear after I reinstalled it the first time - have I messed up something else?

 

I don't have pics. Look for the FAQ here.

In a nutshell; Remove the access plug from the rear of the engine block. Insert a pin to lock the rear balance shaft in position. Line up the notch on the sprocket face with the line on the housing and install.

This is a gear reduction mechanism which must be "timed" correctly during installation.

 

If you removed that part by mistake I would replace the o-ring behind it. I can stress this enough it WILL leak and you will have to tear it back apart to fix.

 

Found several threads about removing the bolt in rear of engine. Did that and inserted an alan wrench....seemed to be that the groove was at about 4 o'clock. That was what others here had reported as well so I went ahead with it.

What would not having it lined up correctly do? Would I notice it on start? It's back up and running now (just got done) and seems to be smooth. Just want to make sure I'm not in for a surprise.

 

I'll keep an eye out for it.

There does seem to be a little vibration in it. Noticing it when driving....seems like I can feel it in the accelerator pedal a little.

Hoping I didn't get the balancer tensioner too tight? NOt sure what else might cause it.

 

A tight balance belt will make a noise not a vibration. An improperly timed balancer drive assembly will cause a vibration.

 

I may have both. I'm hearing/feeling it when I'm at speed and take my foot off the accelerator....kind of a faint roar and some vibration.

Nicefeet - that part that you said the o'ring needed to be replaced...it doesn't matter how that goes back on - as long as you use the maintenance hole to time it correctly, right? I'm sure the gear was in a different place when I mounted it back on there - but, again, I used an alan wrench in the maintenance hole to get it aligned after reinstalling it.

 

Just started it and shut it off a few times. Seems there is a vibration right when it's started and when you shut it off as well.

 

Just a couple updates on what I found to be two sources of vibration:

1 - The plug wire on number 3 had gone bad and was vibrating/working its way up and off the plug. I suppose it was arcing most of the time and firing, but it did give a check engine light. Replaced the bad wire - really smoothed out.

2 - Still had a slight vibration that I've tracked down to the motor mount that has to come off when replacing timing belt. Still working to get it right. Loosened the bolts just enough to allow some play. Started the engine and allowed it to move (put it in gear R, N, D, N, R, N, D. Tightened bolts back down. Still a little vibration in reverse - going to try again this week.

Other than that - I think everything's good to go. Thanks for all the help!