How to Change the Timing Belt on a Civic

The timing belt of your Honda Civic controls the timing of the engine valves. The timing belt is an integral part of the Civic's engine, and it should always be changed at the intervals recommended by Honda. If you don't change the timing belt before it fails, you can experience complete engine failure, which will not be covered by any warranty. Changing the timing belt can be a lengthy process, so make sure that you set aside enough time to complete the task.

• 1

  Disconnect the negative terminal of your vehicle's battery, set the parking brake and place wheel blocks behind the rear wheels--these are important safety measures to follow before you begin work on the timing belt.

• 2

  Raise the front end of the vehicle with a floor jack and place jack stands under the frame to support the Civic. Remove the left front wheel and the splash shield that is located under the engine.

• 3

  Remove the power steering pump without disconnecting any hoses. Pull the alternator from the car and remove the valve cover.

• 4

  Use the floor jack to support the engine. Use a wooden block or some other soft material between the jack and the oil pan, in order to avoid damaging the pan. Remove the top-left engine mounting bracket from the car.

• 5

  Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise to position the number one piston at the top dead center. Disconnect the camshaft position sensor once the shaft is in the position with the number one piston at this position. Pull the side engine mount bracket out of the vehicle.

• 6

  Remove the top pieces from the timing belt covering. Pull out the crankshaft pulley bolt after loosening it with a socket. Make sure you hold the crank pulley in its position with a strap wrench before loosening the bolt. Slide the pulley off the crankshaft.

• 7

  Pull off the lower timing belt cover and then remove the crankshaft position sensor from the vehicle. Press on the tensioner after loosening the timing belt tensioner bolt to release the belt tension. Slip the belt off its pulley and out of the vehicle.

• 8

  Prepare to install the new timing belt. Ensure that the dot on the camshaft sprocket is at the top, and that both index marks line up with the head surface of the cylinder.

• 9

  Reinstall the crank pulley and bolt temporarily. Turn the crankshaft until the timing mark and the indicator on the oil pump are lined up. Line up the tensioner pulley holes with the holes in the tensioner base and place a 3mm pin in the holes.

• 10

  Place the timing belt around the crankshaft sprocket and then around the tensioner pulley. Ensure it is tight. Place a slight amount of tension in the belt by turning the tensioner mounting bolt approximately 1/2 turn. Spin the crankshaft two revolutions, and make sure the timing marks are still aligned. Tighten the tensioner bolt to the appropriate torque for your specific Civic model.

• 11

  Reinstall all additional parts in the reverse order of the removal process. Reconnect the battery and run the car's engine to ensure it operates properly.