Repair 7

How to Install a Cam Gear on a Honda Civic

The compact Honda Civic entered its seventh generation in 2001. The timing belt in these vehicles is mounted to the crankshaft and camshaft gears, or sprockets. The crankshaft drives the camshaft with the timing belt, requiring you to set the engine to the top dead center, or TDC, position when you replace the camshaft sprocket. This procedure is generally the same for most Honda cars made since 2001.

Instructions

1

Remove the cable from the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench to ensure the engine doesnt start accidentally. Disconnect the valve cover and the covers for the timing belt.

2

Turn the crankshaft clockwise with a socket wrench to align the TDC mark on the crankshaft pulley with the TDC mark on the oil pump.

3

Turn the timing belt tensioner clockwise with a socket wrench to relieve the tension from the timing belt. Mark the timing belt with a white marker to indicate its direction of rotation, and detach the timing belt from its pulleys.

4

Remove the retaining bolt for the camshaft. Detach the camshaft sprocket and its key from the camshaft.

5

Install the new camshaft sprocket and its key to the camshaft. Tighten the retaining bolt to 27 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

6

Turn the crankshaft clockwise with a socket wrench to align the TDC marks. Mount the timing belt to the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets. Set the tension on the timing belt with the tensioner, and tighten the tensioner bolt to 33 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

7

Install the timing belt covers with a socket wrench. Connect the valve cover, and attach the negative battery cable.