Changing the timing belt on a Honda Civic before it is ruined is essential. Damage can occur if the belt becomes worn enough while the car is in motion. The Honda Civic requires the timing belt to be changed every 105,000 miles. It’s a good idea to change it before the car reaches that point to avoid damage.
Remove the driver’s side cover from the front of the car.
Remove the protective plastic strip from under the car on that side.
Place the car on the cradle stand, one on each side of the car underneath the frame.
Mark the spark plugs and terminals to indicate the order and remove the spark plug cap and spark plugs using the ratchet extension to reach them. Remove the valve cover after removing the wires.
Loosen the power steering pump pivot bolt from the belt and then the fastener bolt, which is located under the pivot bolt. Rotate the pump until the belt can be removed. Follow the same steps with the alternator until the belt is removed.
Place the crick directly underneath the engine on the driver’s side of the car. Place a block of wood on top of the crick and then slowly lift it up until it rests on top of the oil pump and holds the weight of the engine.
Remove the engine mount so you can reach the top timing belt cover to remove it.
Turn the crankshaft until the timing rotor is positioned at the #1 position you marked on the distributor cap. This means that the first piston has reached Top Dead Center (TDC) and is correctly aligned to install the new belt.
Remove the starter motor and place a screwdriver between the flywheel and the clutch housing to keep the crankshaft from moving.
Unscrew the crankshaft bolt using a socket wrench. Remove the crank from the pulley and the key. Since it is very small, it is advisable to place it in a secure container.
Remove the lower timing belt cover, loosen the belt tensioner and remove the timing belt.
Install the new timing belt, keeping the “up” mark on the top of the camshaft on the timing cylinder. The timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket should remain pointing to the oil pump shaft.
Follow the steps in reverse until everything is back in exactly the same place as before.
Remove your foot from the crick and lower the car. Start the car to make sure the engine sounds good.
Tips
Be sure to complete each step when you reassemble the car again.
Warnings
If the spark plugs are put in the wrong order, the car will not start properly – or at all.