Has anyone replaced the timing belt and water pump on a 2005 Accord with a V-6? How difficult was it?

 

I did my 03 V6 in the driveway. Other than removing and installing the crank pulley bolt, all you need is basic tools. You need something strong to get the bolt off, then a pulley holding tool to install it. I would change the tensioner too. Do you have a service manual.

 

No but I will buy one. I will also purchase a balancer holding tool.

 

Do yourself a favor, and try to remove the crank pulley bolt, before you start taking everything else apart. That bolt has stopped many a timing belt job from getting very far. Some people have used the starter to turn the engine clockwise while they hold the crank bolt with a breaker-bar, but I personally wouldn't try that. As tight as some of those bolts are, IMO you could screw up the flywheel or starter or worse.

 

I'm not a big fan of using the starter to loosen the balancer bolt. I have good tools and I have replaced the timing belt on the 4 cylinder models before. Just not the 6 cylinder. I have seen a few videos, so I think i'm good.

 

A good tip IMO, is to mark the old belt, and each sprocket (both cams and crank) at certain points, then transfer the marks on the old belt to the new belt. This makes lining everything up foolproof, if you do it correctly. I found that the rear cam was not exactly straight up as the service manual describes (maybe half a tooth off to the rear of the engine), so the marks will give you confidence that you have the belt installed correctly. Good luck

 

Thanks for the tip, I appreciate it!!

 

Even if you are sure you have everything lined up correctly, I suggest you rotate the engine by hand a few revolutions, just to make sure everything still lines up afterwards.