Acura 14400-P72-014 Timing Belt (126Ru26)

The timing system is complex, and severe engine damage can occur if mistakes are made, so only highly experienced individuals should attempt this procedure. Begin by disconnecting the cable from the negative terminal of the battery, ensuring you have the correct activation code for the radio if it has an anti-theft system. Place blocks behind the rear wheels and set the parking brake, then loosen the lug nuts on the left front wheel and raise the front of the vehicle, supporting it securely on jack stands. Remove the left front wheel and the splash shield from under the engine, then support the engine with a floor jack using a wood block to avoid damaging the oil pan. Remove the upper left engine mount bracket, spark plugs, and engine drivebelts, then unbolt the power steering pump without disconnecting the hoses and set it aside. Remove the engine oil dipstick and position the number one piston at Top Dead Center, rotating the crankshaft counterclockwise to avoid incorrect timing belt adjustment. Remove the upper timing belt cover, drivebelt idler pulley and bracket, and loosen the crankshaft pulley bolt while holding the crankshaft pulley stationary. Slip the pulley off, remove the dipstick tube, and the lower timing belt cover. If reusing the timing belt, make match marks for alignment and indicate the direction of rotation. Loosen the timing belt tensioner bolt, release the tension, and remove the crankshaft fluctuation sensor before slipping off the belt. If replacing the camshaft or camshaft oil seal, use a large screwdriver to prevent rotation while removing the bolt and sprocket. Inspect the belt tensioner pulley for rough operation and play, replacing it if necessary, and check the timing belt for wear, cracks, or oil contamination, replacing it if any issues are found. Before starting the engine, rotate the crankshaft by hand through at least two full revolutions, stopping if any resistance is felt, indicating a potential issue. Reinstall the sprockets, ensuring the Woodruff key and inner belt guide are in place, and tighten the camshaft sprocket bolt. Before installing the timing belt, ensure the camshaft sprocket's dot or "UP" mark is at the top and the index marks align with the cylinder head surface. Temporarily reinstall the crankshaft pulley and bolt, turning the crankshaft until the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket aligns with the pointer on the oil pump. Install the timing belt around the crankshaft sprocket, tensioner pulley, water pump pulley, and camshaft sprocket in sequence, then loosen the tensioner bolt to allow it to tension the belt before temporarily tightening it. Turn the crankshaft counterclockwise six revolutions and recheck the timing marks for proper alignment, ensuring no binding occurs. To properly tension the timing belt, loosen the tensioner bolt half a turn, rotate the crankshaft until the camshaft pulley is three teeth past TDC, and tighten the tensioner bolt. Reinstall the remaining parts in reverse order, adjust the drive belts, and run the engine to check for proper operation.

Because the timing system is demanding and can hurt the engine badly if you make mistakes, only pros should try it themselves. To start, remove the cable from the bottom of the battery, and have the radio activation code ready in case your car has a theft system. Place blocks behind your car's rear wheels and engage the parking brake. To work under the vehicle, carefully lift the car on jack stands while removing the nuts from the left front wheel. Move the engine by lifting it with a floor jack while keeping your engine block protected below and a chunk of wood between the jack and the motor. Unhook the splash shield underneath the engine and take off the left front wheel. Begin by removing the upper left engine mount on a lntegra model, then work your way through removing the spark plugs and drivebelts, and finally, the valve cover. Untighten and take out the power steering pump, still linked to its hoses, and put it to the side. Next, remove the cruise control actuator. Turn the crankshaft counterclockwise until Top Dead Center of the number one piston is reached, to prevent mistakes when adjusting the timing belt. Using a strap or chain wrench, keep the crankshaft pulley from turning while you undo its bolt, and pull the pulley off. Unbolt and remove the idler pulley and bracket holding the belt. If you use the timing belt again, play a little game to line up the marking and add an A for correct turning direction. Take apart the timing belt cover, loosen the tensioner bolt by hand, and slide the belt away from its grooves on the sprockets. While taking out the sprocket bolt for cams or oil seals, keep the camshaft from turning with a large screwdriver. Spin the belt tensioner pulley gently by hand, checking if it has any movement or hardness issues. Replace both parts if needed. Also look for damage, cracks, or oil on the timing belt - fix or purchase a new one if you find any problems with it. Slowly turn the crankshaft by hand two full times before starting the engine, watching for any resistance that shows when pistons hit valves. Reattach and tighten the camshaft sprocket bolts when you put the sprockets back in. Before you put on the timing belt, turn the camshaft sprocket s so their "UP" labels face up and line up the timing indicators with the rear cover pointer. Insert just the crankshaft pulley and bolt again, turn the crankshaft until the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket lines up with the oil pump housing pointer. Stop when you feel resistance. Put the timing belt on tightly and follow the right order. Then, just tighten the tensioner bolt for now. Before installing the belt, crank the engine six full turns while again checking all marks to be in their correct spot. If pullback is found, undo the belt and start over. To make the timing belt just right, loose the tensioner bolt first, turn your crankshaft in the counterclockwise direction until your camshaft pulley passes three teeth past the top dead center position, and then tighten the tensioner bolt back. Fit the rest of the parts in the opposite order. Put on the drivebelts, then start the engine to make sure everything works as it should.