This do-it-yourself video will show you the steps involved in replacing the timing belt, water pump, guide and tensioner pulleys on a 2004 Acura TL. The TL uses Honda’s J32 series V6 engine which is shared in the MDX, RDX, RL, RLX, Accord, Crosstour, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline and Vue. The timing belt component kit used on the J32 engine can also be used with Honda’s J35 engine. The timing belt service interval is 105,000 miles or 7/8 years…whichever comes first.
Unless you have a powered impact tool used with 19 mm high mass impact socket, removing the harmonic balancer bolt is next to impossible.
The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts providers for the timing belt components are Mitsuboshi (timing belt), Aisin (water pump), Koyo (idler and tensioner bearings). If you obtain a timing belt kit from the dealer, the parts in their kit are provided by these manufacturers.
If you have no prior experience replacing a timing belt, expect to spend anywhere between 6 to 8 hours to complete the job.
Replacement of the water pump will release coolant from the engine block. This would be a good time to change out the coolant from the radiator which would constitute a complete fluid exchange.
Parts and Specialty Tools:
Timing Belt & Water Pump Component Kit (Good kit … comes with OEM Mitsuboshi Timing Belt, Aisin Water Pump & Koyo Bearings):
https://amzn.to/2VVgYkz
Honda Long Life Coolant:
https://amzn.to/2Q0hxIb
19 mm High Mass Harmonic Balancer Bolt Removal Socket:
https://amzn.to/2O2mEGH
Mountain RM6 Chrome Metric Box Wrench Set
https://amzn.to/2MLzVWf
Serpentine Belt Removal Wrench:
https://amzn.to/2YzG1ee
DEWALT DW4901 1-Inch Crimped End Wire Brush:
https://amzn.to/2FeWbBw
Lisle 24680 Spill-Free Funnel:
https://amzn.to/2OawLJL
Powered Impact Tool (not the one I used, but less expensive quality corded version):
https://amzn.to/2F57ldk
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 Timing Belt, Water Pump, & Pulleys Replacement')){kind=link}
Just finished my first water pump/timing belt on a 2000 Base TL. Although there are a few slight differences ( the 2000 is 2nd generation, '04 TL is 3rd. Small details like 2 drive belts instead of one, no bolt on "keeper" around crankshaft timing cog, etc.)
There's no way I could have done this without this video. I probably watched it 25 times total, starting and starting it countless times. I cannot tell you how good I feel right now, accomplishing such a daunting task, all the while standing on the shoulders of the genius who made this video.
Thank you sir. You should consider teaching a shop class for kids. I can see you changing young lives like you have mine.
Perfect Thanks!
There's no need to mark the belt when your sprokets are line up right
Hello,I recently been having a pretty bad coolant leak that I suspect is coming from the waterpump. I see leakage from the passenger side behind the wheel dripping off of the frame. It's an 06 acura tl. The leaking is getting worse. I find myself adding more coolant more frequently. I cant start the car without first checking the radiator to see if theres coolant in it. 9 times out of 10 I'm refilling the radiator with more coolant. I been quoted for 1,200.00 to replace the waterpump with parts and labor. I dont want to spend that much on a car I recently purchased for 5,000. This video shows in depth what the labor entails. Thank you for this video. I'm leaning towards doing it myself and doing it fast before something worse happens. Problem is I dont have tools. What will be all the tools I would need in order to get this job done? Should I replace the pulley tensioners? What are all the replacement parts I need? I'm aware that it would be wise to replace the timing belt while I'm replacing the waterpump,but please help sir I need my car. Thank you very much!
Quick question do you recommend changing out the water pump because I'm in there anyway
Great video! After the timing belt is installed, would you recommend manually turning over the engine by hand at least a few revolutions to make sure the timing marks stay aligned and there is no piston to valve contact? Is this even do-able? Thanks!
Is it necessary to remove timing belt in order to change the water pump?
You should have said “High 5!! And we’re done!”
Hello sir nice job , how often is recommended to change the timig and water pump? Thank you sir.
Best video ever , very well done and easy to follow .
I have the same exact vehicle as this. Mine has 178,000 miles on it and hasn't ever had the timing belt replaced. One day while WOT Accelerating out of a turn, the engine started to misfire noticeably. I pulled the codes, and it is misfiring on all 6 cylinders. I've checked the usual ignition components and haven't found any issues. This leads me to believe that the timing belt is likely the issue. The question I have, is when I go to put on the new timing belt, how do I appropriately line up the new belt as you've done with the old functioning one? I can get the motor to tdc and line up the cam pully and all, but how can I be certain that the belt is lined up?
Awesome Job. How long would you budget for the job start to finish? I don't quick have all the power tools, so mainly will be doing a fair amount of wrenching….
Well explained, good camera angle.
Additionally:
Draining the coolant: There is a nice and fairly easy to access drain plug to drain the coolant out the engine block and water pump. It is located on the back of the engine in front of the steering tie rod link. You can see it from inside the front right wheel well. Drain the coolant before taking the water pump off so that most of the coolant is gone
Knocking noise!!!! If changing the timing belt because of a knocking noise then make sure you get a timing belt kit with the shim that needs to be installed also on the timing belt idle pulley. If not, the noise may come back down the road (Apparently Acura says its the timing belt slapping on the engine mount) TSB 08-031
Hey wassup man quick question do you have problems with the crank pully moving when titen it back after you finish or nah? Because I somehow saw a tutorial and they made it seems very difficult is like you need something to hold the pulley! So it doesn't move or this method don't apply to the acura after all the timing is already set right!?