Honda Acura Timing Belt Service & Crank Pulley Tool

By Dennis Bandy Copyright © DenLorsTools.com

Summary: This tool is NOT stocked at local parts stores like Napa, Auto Zone or 

Discount auto parts. Ready to purchase the tool? Click the following - Honda Crank Pulley Tool. Want to learn more first? Read the following about Honda Timing belt issues, Timing belt replacement and crank pulley bolt removal.

As you may already know, Honda engines are vulnerable to engine damage if the timing belt breaks. If the timing belt fails, the valves can interfere with the pistons causing severe engine damage. If you are not sure if the car you are working on has an "interference" engine or is "freewheeling" refer to a Timing Belt Reference Book. As a technician you can increase your shops income and provide a valuable service for your customer by suggesting a new timing belt at the recommended service interval. 

Once your customer understands the risk of postponing this particular part of their maintenance schedule, you will usually meet with little resistance in selling the timing belt replacement job. However the resistance you may face, could be loosening the crank pulley bolt, required to perform the timing belt replacement. The crank pulley bolt on most Honda engines can be very difficult to loosen. Most 1/2" impact guns are just are not strong enough to loosen them. The choice is yours to either use a 3/4" impact gun such as the CP 772H or a Honda/Acura crank pulley tool like the Honda Crank Pulley Tool, (the most popular choice by far is the 648796 crankshaft pulley holder), either approach will work. 

If you are working on a double over head cam engine you may consider getting a cam lock tool like the LIS36880 to keep the cams from springing out of alignment while the belt is off.  

 
Honda Crank Pulley Tool

Q: I want to install an under drive pulley on my Honda. How does this crank pulley tool hold on to the pulley? How do I know it will work?

A: Since 1990, there is only one size to fit Honda crank pulley's with the hexagon slot. Look at the picture and you will see the tool has 6 flat sides - a hexagon shape. Remove the splash shield and look directly at your crank pulley, If it has a hexagon female slot in it, this crankshaft pulley tool will work. You insert the tool, use a breaker bar to hold the crank pulley stationary and put a socket through the middle (of the hole of the crankshaft pulley tool), onto the crank pulley bolt. You are now able to keep the crank pulley from turning while you loosen the crankcase pulley bolt. 
 
Q: Help! Is there a special tool used to hold the crank pulley on Honda's? When I try to loosen the crank bolt the engine just turns so I am unable to loosen the crankshaft pulley bolt.

A: Yes, the Honda/Acura crankshaft pulley holding tool I recommend is our Honda Crank Pulley Tool, it is like the one in the "how to" video above but DenLors has a LIFETIME WARRANTY. When the crank pulley holding tool is used the crank pulley (or damper) is held in place so you can loosen the crank pulley bolt.
 
Q: I've recently bought your Honda crankshaft pulley tool and used it just like the video showed. This bolt just seems to be welded on. After applying a lot of force on the bolt, one of the extensions broke. Is there anything I can do to loosen this bolt without breaking anything. I especially do not want to round the bolt head off going into the engine. I've tried beating it with a hammer and do not want to heat it up according to the directions in y'alls tips on changing this part. But the tool is doing its job of holding it steady. Thanks Ronnie
 
A: Make sure you are loosening it to the left (counter clockwise) and have a 6 point impact socket, not a 12 point. Try putting a floor jack under the breaker bar that loosens the bolt - with NO extension if possible. If a jack cannot be used try using leverage with a pipe or pry bar against the breaker bar. Any extensions will reduce your power, the longer the extension used the less loosening power you will have. Good Luck
 
If the timing belt failed while driving, valve damage may have occurred. What are your options?
 
 
Option A: Replace the timing belt, if the car runs good you just got lucky, if the car idles rough valves are probably bent, a valve job may be required.
 
Option B: First inspect the top of the pistons with a fiber optic bore scope; see Fiber Optic Bore Scope uses Tech Article on our website.
 
How To Tips 
 
1. While working on engine only rotate it in the direction it turns while it is running (counter clockwise on most Honda engines), valve damage may occur if turned in wrong direction.
 
2. You may need two 1/2" breaker bars, one to use with the crank pulley tool & one to loosen the crank pulley bolt.
 
3. Start disassembly with the engine at top dead center. In addition to using the factory marks you may find it helpful to make your own marks with white touch up paint or white out (especially if the belt you are changing hasn't broken or stripped and is for maintenance)
 
 
4. The crank bolt is right hand thread (you may question this when you see how tight it is). Do not apply heat, this may damage the crankshaft seal.
 
5. When removing the pulley be careful not to allow the line up key to fall and get lost (some crankshaft pulley key-ways fall out easily)
 
6. While you have the timing covers off it is a great time to check for oil leaks from the camshaft and crankshaft seals.
 
7. Turn the water pump and tensioner pulleys to check for roughness and run out (either of these could cause your new timing belt to fail)
 
8. If there are rubber dust seals on the timing covers, make sure they stay in place. You can glue the seals to the covers if needed to prevent them from falling inside the cover and interfering with the timing belt (if the seal rubs the new belt it can cause premature failure). Remove any oil, if present from the dust seals with brake clean and dry them prior to attempting to glue them to the timing covers.
 
9. Look at the new belt closely; one extra cog can ruin the job. I once put a timing belt on a Honda that had one extra cog and realized it only after putting it on, when the marks didn't line up properly. Always count the cogs, then after installing turn the engine several revolutions after installation to insure marks still line up properly at top dead center.
 
10. On some models the CKP (crankshaft position sensor) wiring can rub accessory belts if not properly routed, pay close attention to this for quality control.
 
 
Typical 4 cyl. Honda Timing Belt Replacement
 
1. If the radio is an anti theft type, make sure you have the code and then disconnect the battery. Disconnecting the battery will prevent tools from shorting out on electrical connections while working under the hood.
2. Jack up vehicle and support with jack stand. Remove the wheel and splash shield to allow access to the lower front of engine. Rotate engine with breaker bar on crank bolt counter clock-wise to top dead center, loosen crankshaft pulley bolt.
3. Remove accessory belts, dipstick tube and power steering pump (leave the p.s. hoses attached) . Pull the pump to the side and bungee it out of the work area.
4. Place a block of wood on a floor jack and support the engine on the oil pan, then remove engine mount to allow access to timing belt cover.
5. Remove the valve cover, timing covers and CKP (crankshaft position sensor.)
6. Find timing marks for the specific engine, look for "UP" stamped in camshaft pulley.
7. Install replacement timing belt and recheck timing marks to verify marks are still lined up. Reverse the removal instructions, refer to how to tips listed above.

After you tackle the current project, be sure to come back and check out our auto blog. Bookmark it for later, our automotive tool blog has information on more repair tips, tools and anything automotive we find interesting.

Timing belt suggestions, how to loosen Honda/Acura crank pulley bolts.Specialty tool avail at DenLorsTools.com