2001-2010 Honda Civic and 2002-2011 CR-V Drive Belt Check, Adjustment, and Replacement - Haynes Manuals (2024)

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This page is taken directly from our digital online manual 42026 for the 2001-2011 Honda Civic and 2002-2011 Honda CR-V with 1.7L, 1.8L, 2.0L or 2.4L engines. We recommend you check the belts every 30,000 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first, and adjust the tension on the 1.7L if needed. The other engine use spring loaded automatic tensioners, so no adjustment is needed, just replacement if wear is evident.

Warning:The electric cooling fan(s) on these models can activate at any time the ignition switch is in the ON position. Make sure the ignition is OFF when working in the vicinity of the fan(s).

Drive Belt Check

1. The drive belts are located on the passenger side of the engine and play an important role in the operation of the vehicle and its components. Due to their function and material makeup, the belts are prone to failure after a period of time and should be inspected and adjusted (on 1.7L engines) periodically to prevent major damage.
   (Seeillustration) On 1.8L, 2.0L and 2.4L engines, no adjustment is necessary because they are equipped with an automatic drive belt tensioner. If the wear indicator has moved beyond the specified range, replace the drive belt

Details of the automatic drive belt tensioner (1.8L, 2.0L and 2.4L engines) -If the wear indicator has moved beyond the specified range, replace the drive belt.

1) Maximum length (belt worn out) mark

2) Belt stretch indicator (moves with tensioner)

2. The number of belts used on a particular vehicle depends on the accessories installed. Drive belts are used to turn the alternator, power steering pump, water pump (all except 1.7L engines), and air conditioningcompressor. Depending on the pulley arrangement, more than one of these components may be driven by a single belt.
   
3. With the engine turned off, open the hood and locate the drive belts on the passenger side at the front of the engine. Use a flashlight to carefully check each belt.
   (See illustration)Check for a severed core, separation of the adhesive rubber on both sides of the core and for core separation from the belt side. Inspect the ribs for separation from the adhesive rubber and for cracking or separation of the ribs, torn or worn ribs or cracks in the inner ridges of the ribs.Also check for fraying and glazing, which gives the belt a shiny appearance. Inspect both sides of the belt by twisting the belt to check the underside. Use your fingers to feel the belt where you can’t see it. If any of the above conditions are evident, replace the belt(s).

4. On 1.7L engine models, the tension of each belt is checked by pushing on it at a distance halfway between the pulleys. Apply about 20 pounds of force with your thumb and see how much the belt moves down (deflects).
   (See illustration)Measure the deflection with a ruler and compare your results to the deflection limits.

   Power steering pump New belt 9.0 to 11.0 mm Old belt 13.0 to 16.5 mm
   Alternator/AC compressor New belt 5.0 to 6.5 mm Old belt 8.5 to 11.0 mm

Belt Adjustment (1.7L engines)

Power steering pump belt

5. (See illustration) Loosen the power steering pump mounting bolt nut and locknut, then turn the adjuster bolt to set the belt tension.
   When you have obtained the desired tension, tighten the pump fasteners securely.

1.7L engine Power steering pump mounting and drive belt adjustment bolt details

A) Pump locknut

B) Pump mounting bolt/nut (not visible in this photo)

C) Adjusting bolt

Alternator/air conditioning compressor belt

6. Loosen the alternator upper mounting bolt and nut, then loosen the adjuster bracket lock bolt and lower mounting bolt.
   (See illustration)Turn the adjuster bolt to set the belt tension. When you have obtained the desired tension, tighten the fasteners securely.

1.7L engine alternator/air conditioning compressor mounting and drive belt adjustment details

A) Adjusting bolt

B) Lock bolt

C) Bracket mounting bolt

Drive Belt Removal and Replacement

1.7L Engine

Power steering pump drive belt

7. Follow Step 5 above to loosen the drive belt, but slip the belt off the pulleys and remove it.

8. When installing the belt, make sure the belt is centered on all of the pulleys.

9. Adjust the drive belt tension as described above in Step 5.

Alternator/air conditioning compressor drive belt

10. The power steering pump drive belt must be removed first before you can remove the alternator/AC compressor belt (see Step 5 above).
    
11. Follow Step 6 above to loosen the alternator/AC compressor drive belt, but slip the belt off the pulleys and remove it.
    
12. When installing the belt, make sure the belt is centered on all of the pulleys.
    
13. Adjust the alternator/AC compressor drive belt as described in Step 6 above.
    
14. Reinstall the power steering pump drive belt as described in Step 5 above.

The following video will guide you to changing the two manually adjusted drive belts on the 1.7L engine, which is much more involved than the other engines with automatic tensioners. Text instructions and pictures follow for all other Civic and CR-V engines.

1.8L, 2.0L and 2.4L engines

15. If you’re working on a 1.8L, 2.0L or 2.4L engine, apply the parking brake, loosen the right (passenger’s side) front wheellug nuts, raise the front of the vehicle and support it securely on jack stands. Remove the wheel, then remove the splash shield.
    
16. (See illustration) The automatic tensioner must be rotated to allow drive belt replacement. Place a wrench or a socket on the tensioner pulley bolt and slowly rotate it until the belt can be removed.
    Note:The automatic tensioner may rotateaway from the belt in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending on design. If it doesn’t move in one direction, try the other.Steady, moderate pressure should rotate it.
    Remove the belt and slowly release the tensioner.Install the new belt over most of the pulleys, then rotate the tensioner to allow the belt to slip over it. Release the tensioner slowly until it contacts the drive belt.

17. When installing the belt, make sure the belt is centered on the pulleys.
    
18. Install the splash shield, wheel andlug nuts.
    Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque:
    Wheel lug nuts 80 ft-lbs

Automatic drive belt tensioner replacement (1.8L, 2.0L and 2.4L engines)

19. Remove the drive belt (see Steps 15 and 16 above).

1.8L engines

20. Remove the alternator (see Chapter 5 of the Haynes manual).
    

21. Remove the water pump pulley mounting fasteners (seeChapter 3of the Haynes manual).
    

22. Remove the automatic tensioner fasteners and tensioner assembly.
    

23. (See illustration) Install the tensioner and fasteners and tighten to the proper torque:
    8mm bolt 17 ft-lbs
    10mm bolt 40 ft-lbs

1.8L engine automatic drive belt tensioner mounting bolts

A) 10 mm mounting bolt

B) 8 mm mounting bolt

24. Place a wrench or a socket on the tensioner. Slowly rotate and compress the tensioner downwards, thenhold it for three seconds. Rotate and push the tensioner slowly upwards and hold for three seconds.
    
25. Repeat this procedure three times to bleed the tensioner assembly.
    
26. The remaining installation is the reverse of removal.

2.0L and 2.4L engines

27. If you’re working on a 2.4L engine, remove the power steering pump (see Chapter 10 of the Haynes manual).
    
28. If you’re working on a 2.0L engine, remove the idler pulley mounting bolts, then remove the pulley.
    
29. Unscrew the tensioner pulley bolt, then unscrew the mounting bolts and remove the tensioner.
    
30. Installation is the reverse of removal.
    Tighten the mounting boltsto the proper torque:
    Tensioner mounting bolts 16 ft-lbs