98 Accord Timing Belt question

Are these belts a simple job or are they a nasty biatch. I've heard it's a
four hour job, if you just slip the belts off and on can you screw it up?
Should I attempt or leave it to the pro's? I have worked on cars my whole
life, just never a setup with balance shafts and zero clearance.

B

 

I've never done an Accord but I changed my own on a CRX.
The two main problems are the bolt which holds the crankshaft pulley
on, see http://members.rogers.com/john-ings/faq.html#crankbolt
and as you note, the fact that the bodywork is wrapped so closely
around the engine.

I found that two pair of hands was necessary to persuade the new belt
to go on, one pair from above and the other from beneath.

I know what you mean. My first three Jaguars had lots of room to get
at things. Then a fellah asked me to fix the starter motor on his
XK-E. With the car on a pit, extending my arm through assorted
bodywork I was just barely able to touch the end of the starter!
Turns out you have to pull the engine to actually get at it.

 

I am working on an 85 CRX ( a smaller vehicle) the crank shaft wheel bolt
required me to weld a "tool" with 2 1/2 in long studs slipping into holes on
the crankshaft wheel to hold it from turning while you remove the center
bolt. (Looks like a spanner tool: I used a large wood block to hold it in
place while I was on the breaker bar loosening the center screw.) The center
bolt was only 17 mm but I had to use a breaker bar to get it off. I was
surprised it took that much force to get it off. I do not own an impact
wrench. That may be the obvious solution. wolf

 

Yes, it is a pain in the ass. Yes, you can really hose your engine if
you're not careful about lining up the timing marks (you get to do it
all over again). However, it's do-able by a shadetree mechanic if you
take your time and have the proper tools. Gates makes a nice
application guide that has step by step instructions for most vehicles.
While you're at it, don't forget to change your water pump.

Cheers,

C

 

You can only decide for yourself...we don't know your technical level.

Get a manual, and read the job over carefully. If you have the proper tools,
and feel yourself comfortable, then give it a whirl.

--
'03 S2000
'94 Accord

It's just about going fast...that's all...

http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/

 

Mustangbrad,

It's not too bad, as long as you have the manual, or prints from a web
page to work from. A 17mm _deep_ socket for the motor mount, a tool to
hold the crankshaft pulley (home-made is easy) and a 19mm deep socket
for the crankshaft bolt. If your engine has a complete timing belt in it
already, lining up the timing isn't a big issue. It's not too cryptic.

One trick I learned: the front suspension should hang free (jack the car
by the chassis) or the timing belt cover will be very hard to wrangle
off. Also, you lower the engine a few inches for the same reason.

The Chilton's manual describes how to make the wrench, and I have a
picture of mine. You just need a 'welding buddy' to fabricate it.
Opinions vary about water pump. Our CRV had 200,000km on the pump so I
changed it, but it still looked like you could eat off it.

'Curly'

----------------------

To REPLY: If there are a couple of underscores in my return address,
you must remove them to reply directly . . . . . . Thanks.

 

Thanks for the advise to all who answered. If someone has instructions out
of a service manual and could scan them for me, it would help me better make
a decision. My email addy is mustangbradATrogers.com.

Thanks Again

Brad