2003-2007 Honda Accord Auto Tensioner remove and install

2006 Honda Accord auto tension replacement
Tools:
amzn.to/2awcRDO 3/8 ratchet
amzn.to/2bhlB64 3/8 12mm deep socket
amzn.to/2aU2UzM 3/8 14mm deep socket
Parts:
amzn.to/2aZ8qBO Auto tensioner for 4 Cylinder only
Torque specs:
amzn.to/2awfDcd 1/2 Torque wrench
16 ft. lbs - Auto tensioner bolt
41 ft. lbs - Auto tensioner pulley bolt
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[@johnmantione8309]

seven years later, this is still the best '07 auto tensioner removal video out there, thanks again! I did modify your technique slightly, I pulled the PS tank off its mount and moved the PS pump back on top of the valve cover just enough to access the tensioner without removing any PS hoses - less cleanup.

[@richbrake9910]

Nine years later and this is still the best 06-07 tensioner removal video on you tube..

[@batjuan2132]

I had a feeling you could do it that way with the ps pump instead of removing the hoses thanks for the confirmation

[@projectskadi9354]

Are the tensioner and PS pump bolts known to snap after being old

[@johnmantione8309]

@@projectskadi9354 I've changed three Accord tensioners and no broken bolts in my experience

[@projectskadi9354]

@johnmantione8309 that's great I like to DIY I buy factory parts most of the time but I hate dealership upmarks and the labor per hour without knowing if they're actually doing/fixing/diagnosing anything in that hour throws me off... do you know about the power steering or water pump bolts as well? Are they known to snap?

[@thangrom5795]

Great video, I just want tip if anyone have plan replace auto tension for Honda or Acura and these car design very similar each other. You don't need remove High pressure connect to PS pump and hose connect to reverse tank. If you do remove you will have flush air out of the PS pump like the video and only use Honda or Acura PS fluid, other brand will damage your seal. Here if you want replace auto tension for Honda or Acura: Remove High pressure clamp on top engine ( use 10mm socket) Remove the reverse tank out of bracket holder. Remove 2 bolt holding PS Pulley ( 10 or 12 mmn and 16lbf ft for tight) Move your PS pump to the right and your reverse tank to the left. After than you will have all access to unscrew and replace your auto tension. Once again you don't need disconnect all hose connect to PS pump. If you do, you will have flush air out the PS pump but to me you don't need remove those hose.

[@losxlakers]

I stripped the pulley bolt while tightening it. Definitely worth buying the torque wrench!!! I was unable to get the belt on due to being unable to tighten the pulley with the stripped bolt to move the tensioner back. I had to use those tight gripping pliers that lock onto the bolt to remove it. I used the old bolt as the new tensioner assembly came with a new pulley already bolted on. I should've just stopped trying to tighten the bolt as the tensioner assembly went all the way back and stopped. The pulley was already bolted on so idk why I continued trying to tighten it as the tensioner assembly had gone all the way and stopped. I wish I had a torque wrench so stripping the bolt was prevented. Your videos are awesome and now I'm definitely buying a torque wrench for future use. Thank you guys for these awesome detailed videos!!!

[@NutzAboutBolts]

ouch, sorry you had to go through that, but at least you have a torque wrench to use now :)

[@drivewaybuilds]

Do you know the size of the bolt because I did the same 😥

[@BluRN7]

my hats off to you I'm a 30 plus years auto tech. it's great to see such good skills and explanation of the process. keep up the good work

[@johnhayes1641]

Thank you again for a great video. I have your video on replacing the belt bookmarked. I didn't end up needing to remove the PS pump lines.

[@CookieLoverLes]

Great videos! Did my water pump this weeked with your videos. The two tips: center bolt is the long one and the nut in the back. Sweet. That guy saying the center bolt is the long one that helped. I was about to turn off the video because it looked like a different one was the long bolt.

[@durania717]

There is no need to remove the power steering lines on this to access the lower bolts on the tensioner. I removed the passenger side engine cradle mount that is two 17mm bolts I do believe and the supporting rubber mount below it. Doing so, allowed me to keep the power steering lines attached to the pump and had enough room to remove all the bolts. The car had 280k miles on it and I knew if I took those off, they would more than likely leak. I was able to remove the old tensioner with the bearing attached and then drop in the replacement one. Work smarter, not harder.

[@DB-xe7tc]

Smartest way I've seen removing without loosening the engine mount. Thx

[@projectskadi9354]

Oh nah explains why some people can do it in 15 minutes but a dealership quotes you 2 hours of labor

[@frankfromupstateny3796]

Great video....take a tiny piece of chewing gum and put it in where the nut sits....it won't hurt anything...and if you tip the tensioner housing.....no probs...just use a tiny piece....just for a bit of stickiness

[@FrankHarv]

Vital" as you do this" (mine was a 4 cyl), find on the web a diagram of the serpentine belt- sketch out a diagram -I HAD to use a pipe- cheater-bar on a 14mm box end wrench AND manage to do the "water pump - no ribs" pulley for last, Critical to see / know the pathway, and to have bulletproof ability to pull back the tension pulley, I HAD to use a pipe cheater bar on a 14mm box end wrench, "sloppy attempts" with an additional box end wrench for leverage was too sloppy, didn't allow enough control for a "one guy job". It's a bitch of a job with the belt aspect, doable, but humbling and difficult, cheater pipe on the tension pulley being Vital...

[@tunthura9349]

Hi Nutz, Thanks for your reply & duly noted. Tun

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+Tun Thura np :D gl!

[@1ThEk1NG]

I noticed that the torque for the tension pulley bolt is 41ft/lb would it be the same amount of torque for the 3.0L V6 engine?

[@eldobledreyes2907]

2009-2012 Honda accord the same ? Do I need to remove the power steering

[@DrewFromNC]

Is this the same thing as the hydraulic timing belt tensioner?

[@adamwoltz2228]

good video as always

[@steeler1983]

The wear indicator on mine is not centered. I just put a new serpentine belt on but the arrow on the tensioner is still to the right of the indicator bar. Do I need a new tensioner? Do they wear out after 200k miles or stretch with age?

[@iMotoTactic00L]

Excellent video very helpful. But i did drop the tensioner nut and i cant find it so I used the old nut from old tensioner...

[@NutzAboutBolts]

ouch, yeah thats a pain in the ass.

[@omarmorales9523]

Next time just put a piece of tape where the nut is and it won't fall out. Then add the pulley and after turning a screw in a few turns, pull the tape off.

[@eduardo909G]

My serpentine belt keeps slipping off an inch when I start the car if I change this will it work ???? Plz thank you

[@santinootero8270]

Doing this on my o5 accord, the motor mount is in the way for my torque wrench to get on the nut for 41 ft lbs

[@easternwind51]

Thanks for the video. Also when would you know it's time to replace the tensioner or the water pump?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+Quyen Y water pump is usually 120k. The auto tensioner you don't need to replace it until its broken.

[@easternwind51]

That's a lot. Sounds like my car can wait a bit longer :)

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+Quyen Y yup

[@mogtrader8]

Can you explain why you would need to replace tensioner and what signs that it was needed to be replaced?

[@ntgdlo641]

I need a answer to this

[@RADIOSCATRACHASUTAN]

I have changed the Power Steering pump since it was leaking from the seals, but the car had noise too on the serpentine belt.. which is new , 4 month old. I did water test and below the tensioner pulley and noise stopped and cameback after few seconds.. Anyone got any IDEA? could it be the tensioner pulley?

[@AZULISIMOS]

Great job, but let me ask you. How much torque should you use to install the tensioner?. Thank you.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

It's in the description, 41 ft. Lbs for the pulley bolt.

[@andrewburghardt5636]

Great vids man saved me a bundle.... I owe ya a good six pack at the very least. I threw my belt yesterday in a nor Easter. Lots of fun ... But I got it back on after 15 mins of fiddling. Figured the belt just old and stretched so I bought a new one replaced it today. When I started it up the belt settled in and was pretty close to edge of tensioner pulley... So I took belt back off and noticed the wear marks where right there where the belt was sitting.. So I guessing it fine? All the pulleys spun nice and didn't have any play in them.... Any thoughts ????

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+Andrew Burghardt do you have a picture? can't figure out what you're asking.

[@BeatsAndGuitars]

I need to replace just the tensioner pulley, do you think I need to remove the power steering pump as well?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Uprightest Yes, the pump is in the way of the pulley... unfortunately.

[@HeyitsJose]

So when wprking on hondas, the best tools to use are metric size?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Jose Tenorio yes, Metric is for imports, Standard is for domestic.

[@HeyitsJose]

+1 for you sir! good to know this kind of stuff

[@rudyg.7359]

At 3:32 when the tensioner is removed.What is that part with the the two bolts that has that green mark on it?I seem to have a oil leak seeping from the sealant around.Anyone have the have same problem?I have a 2005 accord lx

[@limeman06]

How reliable is the tensioner assembly that you used in the making of this video?

[@mrsniffles7089]

@@ziplockbag3243 that is the most wrench head phrase I’ve heard in a while 😂 good one

[@yousufali110]

By any chance, can a bad tensioner give vibrations that can be felt at the steering and on the car seats?

[@mrsniffles7089]

Those are probably ur engine mounts bare minimum, ur mounts are essentially ur first contact from the engine to the rest of the car, if they are worn, u will have those symptoms

[@trankt54155]

NutzAboutBolts, do you have any problem with shifting your Honda Accord? For example, in the morning when the car is still cold when it first turned on and if you shift from park to reverse or from park to drive you would hear a clunking noise from the engine? But when the engine is warm you don;t hear this problem. My Honda Accord 2004 EX gives me this problem. I have replaced the ATF fluid, the filter and all the mounts (engine and transmission) and everything is fine. I ahve checked the axle boots and they are fine. There is no problem when the car runs. My question is, do you or anyone else with Honda Accords have this problem?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Could just be me but I feel it’s normal, the engine is strong so to me, I feel the engine just kicks in hard when shifting. I don’t have any problems with the vehicle.

[@trankt54155]

Ok. Thanks.

[@smartfeller1495]

trankt54155 every automatic honda ive owned makes that "clunk" when going from park to revrrse on a cold morning.

[@trankt54155]

Thanks. Good to know.

[@clos6268]

I over tightened the bolt that mounts the power steering pump to the tensioner and it broke off with half of it lodged inside ... How big of a problem will is this?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

if the broken bolt piece is sticking out, use a vice grip and unscrew it. If you can, use a tap and die set to remove the broken pieces.

[@AZULISIMOS]

Did you use a regular wrench or a torque wrench? What would happen if I use a regular wrench? Thank you.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

AZULISIMOS we used a regular wrench because we've done this before and know how tight it is. If you are new, we would recommend using a torque wrench so that you don't over torque the bolt and snap it. That's the difference between the 2 wrenches. The torque wrench stops you at the amount you set it at and the regular wrench, you can over torque it because it doesn't stop or make a clicking noise and there is no setting to it.

[@jeremyfalkenbach263]

Is the process the same for the 2004-2008 Acura TSX 2.4L?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

yes

[@jeremyfalkenbach263]

Thanks!

[@sagarswan2011]

Every time I put in drive(foot on the brake, not moving) my car makes a weird vibrating noise and when I kick the fan on, it makes it worse. I was looking and found the tensioner is vibrating and when it back in park, sound goes away. Any idea if I just need a new belt, new bearing or the whole tensioner? Thanks

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+Sagar Swan sounds like an engine mount problem...

[@sagarswan2011]

+NutzAboutBolts Thats what my first guess and check was. But it only makes that noise when in drive after I kick the fan on. The tensioner vibrates(rocks back and forth), While running, I put my hand on the tensioner mount and it rattles a lot.

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+Sagar Swan remove it and check if there is any play on it.

[@obitoe3766]

you figured it out yet ? i kinda have the same problem. but its only when i turn on my ac. then the radiator fans start spinning beast mode and shakes the car. i google searched the problem.. and it might be the ac compressor

[@jesuschong9233]

What's the name of the part behind the tensioner

[@davidedwardcontreras]

Do you know what size the middle bolt on the tensioner is I snapped mine

[@NutzAboutBolts]

David Contreras they're 12mm bolt. I would suggest buying it at the dealership or find an oem kind.

[@davidedwardcontreras]

Thanks I will, also I changed my Tensioner,the tensinoer pulley,p/s pump but squeal is still there when accelerating could it be my alternator bearing ?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

David Contreras does it squeal at idle or only when you accelerate?

[@davidedwardcontreras]

At start up then after a little while just when I'm accelerating

[@NutzAboutBolts]

David Contreras could be something is over tighten, check the bearings manually and see if it makes any noise when you roll it.

[@siscososa168]

Did u use an oem tensioner? I'm having a problem on my car the belt keeps making noise and it gets louder while accelerating do u think its the tensioner

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Sisco Sosa try spraying your serpentine belt with water while the engine is running, if the squeal stops, then its your belt, if it doesn't, it couldn't be one of the pulleys.... kinda hard to diagnose noise problems in the engine...

[@siscososa168]

I actually just replaced the belt for that reason it stoped but it came back .. I did spray the belt with water and it stoped and I also sprayed it on the tensioner and it got louder. Wouldn't it be the tensioner

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Sisco Sosa it could be the tensioner if it's dry... It's up to you if you want to take that chance. You can remove the tensioner and check for plays to see if it's loose and check if it's making noise when you spin.

[@siscososa168]

Ok thanks and what could I put on it if its dry wouldn't anything mess up the belt

[@georgehernandez7619]

+Sisco Sosa what ever happen to the noise was it the belt tensioner? my honda is doing the same thing.

[@Aztek81]

Hey guys, would a bad bearing cause the entire auto tensioner to vibrate or loosely move around?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

seems like a bad auto tensioner if its like that...

[@tacos1308]

Carlos Castro i have the same problem and it shakes real bad when im in drive but in a stop position.

[@MrTmenzo]

tacos1308 same here. I can't figure out what is causing the problem

[@bennyezzy]

I drop the nut, and now I can't find it. I bought a set of 5, and they don't do the job. Any suggestions on how to get a replacement for it?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Best bet is the dealership since they have the exact parts for it. It might be a special order part so you want to order it ahead of time.

[@fabiancastilhocossio2729]

Hey Bro the torque is the same for v6s 2004 3.0?

[@jakenbourne5722]

Did you ever figure out the torque specs for a v6?

[@SilverbackE12B]

The v6 is way different. It's hell and got water taking off the tensioner. I still couldn't take mine off after 4 hours of labor

[@user-cg9fe4zq8p]

Eric Tate Yeah, the 12mm bolt is a bitch

[@mczm731]

Hey boss can you make all this 02-07 Accord videos but for the 02-07 Accord v6 vtec

[@NutzAboutBolts]

We don't have a V6 to do it on :(

[@SilverbackE12B]

Mc Zm hey man it's pretty much the same thing. I'm literally doing this to my car right now

[@charlievelez3510]

I am stuck. I have a 03 ex v6 and I removed the bolt from the serpentine tensioner pulley (apparently the other pulley is attached to this one)...the screw came right out (kind of like spring activated) but i cannot find a way to get back in to catch the threads - it is righty tighty lefty loosy...the screw will not come out as it is too long (i have read in some forums that i would have to tilt the engine)...any ideas on how to get that screw back on?

[@1ThEk1NG]

Charlie Vélez did you check to see if the nut fell out for the bolt. There should be a nut that holds the bolt for the tensioner pulley

[@Biddybalboa]

@@charlievelez3510 i thinknthis one tightens to the left also for some reason

[@willpage79]

Can a wobbly tensioner pulley make your battery icon come on and off while driving?

[@NutzAboutBolts]

It’s possible since the alternator is on that same pulley.

[@projectskadi9354]

Most certainly can

[@yarsftks]

Is this one a v6 or "v4"?

[@tunthura9349]

Hello,If you don't mind could you pls advise where to buy 1. the auto tensioner [ autozone ? ] & name of manufacture ?2. Toyota Camry 2012 oil filter wrench ?Thanks for your help.Tun

[@NutzAboutBolts]

+Tun Thura you can buy it either at the dealership for the auto tensioner or at any auto part stores. As for the oil filter wrench, I know auto zone sells it, you can also find them at the dealership.

[@brooklyn7941]

This a k series ? Wasn't listed in the description

[@NutzAboutBolts]

Yes

[@quanxxdew1482]

Why my tesion pulley not going on

[@kizukinichan]

Random Question. My 2006 Accord is shredding belts, and the only thing I can find is a wobbly pulley. This pulley is the smooth sided one directly under the tensioner. I can't figure out what this pulley is or how to get it off. Any ideas? Thanks in adavance!

[@NutzAboutBolts]

that pulley is the water pump pulley. if any of the pulley is loose, it will cause belt damage. I would suggest replacing it.

[@MrTmenzo]

Andrew Earnest it is the water pump. Very difficult to replace. I suggest you take it to a mechanic instead

[@103720C]

Looks nothing like this Under the hood of my Accord.

[@Biddybalboa]

Yeah wtf

[@liddywit7139]

The nut on the back fell out😅 you didnt say that in the beginning

[@liddywit7139]

Found it finally lol 😂

[@NutzAboutBolts]

@@liddywit7139 😆 my bad

[@jeremylakenes6859]

89000 views from DYIers...this is a common problem!

[@jonathanseyfert8256]

Nah. The drive belt is regular maintenance. The tensioner is an old age/mileage wear item. Since these cars run to 200-300k miles or more it's not surprising replacing it is a common occurrence. Again, not a common problem, a common old age occurrence. Getting ready to change it on my new to me '07 with 191k miles cause I think it's a bit weak and I'll be putting 30k+ miles per year on it. Definitely don't want to lose a drive belt during the middle of a winter commute.

[@fanyi694]

Great Job, Are you sure that the torque of the bolt is 41ft-lb?I see a Honda Odyssey/Acura data show as 59ft-lb. i347.photobucket.com/albums/p463/mazterlee/photo2-1.jpg~original

[@NutzAboutBolts]

yes its 41 ft. lbs, I believe the odyssey has a higher torque value due to its V6 engine, and its a van and not a sedan.

[@frankfromupstateny3796]

AGAIN.....GREAT VIDEO....TAKE time,....however to speak and enunciate more clearly...and the video would be perfect.