Honda Accord | Honda Element | Acura TSX Starter Replacement

Honda's 2.4 liter vtec is a wonderful little engine. However, changing the starter isn't the easiest repair. Amazon does sell a number of starters, such as: amzn.to/339bCqF
This video will show specific instructions for the following vehicles:
2003 - 2005 Honda Accord 2.4l
2003 - 2006 Honda Element 2.4l
2004 - 2005 Acura TSX 2.4l
If you have a different model year Honda or Acura that houses the starter below the plenum, this video will give you a very good idea on the steps involved. There is an option to remove the starter without removing the plenum, however, I find it's very difficult to remove the starter bolts due to the limited space. Nevertheless, there are a number of videos showing that technique.
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Note:
Any attempt to repair automotive parts and/or systems carries risk of personal injury. Always adhere and follow safe practices when working on vehicles. Such as, safety glasses, jack stands, no loose clothing, etc. No guarantee or warranty is implied. Use the information in this video at your own risk. Carsntoys is a member of the Amazon Influencer Program.
Publication, reproduction or distribution of this film is strictly prohibited.
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#hondastarter #accordstarter

[@RestorationStation]

I watched this to make sure I wasn't missing anything when reassembling mine and just wanted to say this is a damn good video. Concise, good camera work (much harder than people realize), and easy to understand. Nice job dude

[@mullenli]

You just made looks so easy and still dunno if I can do it myself 😂 Ty for the clips and well done

[@theandrewarellano]

TSX owner here- I couldn't fit a wrench underneath the metal coolant pipe directly over the 12 mm s-terninal nut on the starter. Instead, I unplugged the other 2 connectors and the 2 bolts. I was then able to ove the starter from underneath the metal coolant pipe and remove the 12 mm nut on the s-terminal. Once that was done, I was able to pull the starter out . For the replacement, I tightened the 12mm nut on the s-terminal first before putting the starter into position under that metal coolant pipe.

[@nebulauxprhyme2983]

What size socket you need for the nuts on the front of the manifold?

[@MikeDeLorenze]

Just finished this job yesterday on my 2008 Honda Element. Thank you so much for this video! This made the job so much less of a hassle, just knowing what to expect and what to do and when to do it made all the difference in the world. It took my wife and me about 7 hours, but we got it done!

[@CarsNToys]

Glad to help! Cheers.

[@dq7143]

Concise, well done video with essential detail. The job is a whole lot more challenging than on a 1960's American car.

[@mohammednaushad4356]

It was a great help , thanks

[@badengrishSi]

That looks absolutely awful. I've seen cramped engine bays but, that's ridiculous. Good job and thanks for the video.

[@CarsNToys]

Very cramped. Thank you.

[@dfields9511]

gr8 vid. I have seen 3 vid of doing this different ways. 1 like this, 1 from underneath (not disturbing the intake) and 1 that removes the battery and gets to it from that. I typically don;t like to disturb intake gaskets but sometimes you don't have a choice. Nissan VQ30DE is a bit easier I think then this.

[@bwarren3690]

Good vid, but need an approximate size for the two bolts as I know they are different but I dont see the front starter bolt on mine

[@joserubero7002]

Great video,thanks for the info on job well done.💪

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you. Appreciate the feedback.

[@ktwomountain]

Thanks a lot.

[@HoffAppFarm]

Thanks for this! I started the process yesterday on my 2008 Honda Element with 125,000 miles. All fairly smooth until I got to that bolt at the bottom of the plenum...was not able to feel where it was let alone see it. I'm gonna snag my Garmin VIRB camera and drop it down on its monopod to "see" if I can locate it so I can get the ratchet down there. I had to stop as it's in my in-laws driveway outside and the weather turned...hope to get back to it tomorrow. Any other tips on finding that bottom bolt? Glad it just needs loosened and not removed!

[@bosun120]

You are brave man for not using a torque wrench to tighten the bolts back.. Also wouldn't it have been easier to remove the bolt at 4:53, and completely remove the intake manifold, in order to have more space to leverage your ratchet on the starter bolts (6:03)? Thanks.

[@oscarbelmudez9926]

Thanks

[@vrumvr6]

Great video, however you are talking about one bolt that only needs to be backed out (not removed) at 4:53 then you show it at a different angle at 5:03... that's a completely different bolt. Which one is correct? And do both need to either back out or remove? I'm stuck here trying to get the manifold off, and trying to figure out which bolt is right, or both? Okay, I got manifold off. Only the bolt at 4:52 ...on the black bracket needs to be addressed, and that bolt needs to come ALL the way off to remove the manifold. Ignore the bolt at 5:03 as it is completely unrelated to the intake manifold.

[@jjday7]

Thanks for that. Might tackle this job this weekend. Fingers crossed my starter holds on till then.

[@HoffAppFarm]

Thanks for pointing that out! I'm now at that part of the process...I had to stop for the day. You're able to access that bolt from up top? And you DO need to completely back it out? Thanks!!

[@vrumvr6]

@@HoffAppFarm I don't remember exactly since it has been so long, but make sure you expand and read everything I said... hopefully that will answer your question(s).

[@abomova86]

Did you not run a ground for the new starter? The older oem looks like the ground long screw was outside?

[@mdavid7149]

That lower bolt you're talking about is already broken on my bracket can I still peel back the intake and replace this starter?

[@OKBAOK]

Thank you very much for this video of yours to us👍🙂 I’ll seek this job soon🙂

[@hakamhussein9559]

Hello, is it easy to replace the intake manifold on a 2006 TSX?

[@toddgacc9539]

Can this be done from bottom on a 07 tsx?

[@myjimpants]

Does that odometer say 60,000 miles? Yikes! I'm on 190,000 on My 2007 Element and my original starter is getting really close to leaving me stranded. Got the new one and procrastinating trying to decide if going from the top or bottom is best. Since the new starter (AC Delco NEW and has good reviews) has an external solenoid I'm leaning toward the top access. Space is super scarce underneath and I don't feel like laying on my back for 4+ hours. I'm curious as to how much coolant you needed to top off since I noticed some on the lower parts. I also noticed you don't take any of the main radiator hoses off like in some videos and suggestions I've seen. I imagine they do this for space to work. Did you clean the manifold contact areas with brake cleaner? I've seen this recommended in other reviews and videos. Lots of questions, but a great video and the most informative of the top method I've seen so far. Thank you for taking the time for home mechanics who can't afford the $600+ for this replacement. Cheers!

[@CarsNToys]

I've seen the videos replacing the starter with the manifold intact; no idea how they completed the job. The area is incredibly tight. There was very little coolant loss; they're small hoses. I don't remember using brake cleaner but certainly checked the condition of the mating surfaces. Good luck!

[@squirlmy]

About the beginning: you should use a piece of solid wood, or something with a wooden tip, instead, because, starters can be rebuilt and a screwdriver puts a lot of unattractive dents and scratches, as indicated at 5:32, and that ruins possible resale value. Also a 3 foot (or so) metal pipe, a "mechanic's cheat", on a ratchet handle rather than 6:14 will give you reach and extra leverage for the bolts down deep. Big online, or hardware warehouse stores will often sell such things

[@aznsketcher]

so in order to even tap the starter to get a few more starts, you have to open it up like you did to reach it, correct?

[@MrSamadolfo]

🤓 Friend, on the element, what do u think of the other guys utube videos that suggest to replace the starter from below and not unbolt the intake manifold? thx 🚙😍

[@CarsNToys]

I've seen one of those videos and I'm amazed they can do it.

[@MrSamadolfo]

@@CarsNToys 🤓 its like a Rubiks Cube heehee 😸🐙😊

[@escurtis]

I tried the bottom method. BEWARE! Even if I was able to perform the steps easily, which I wasn't, there was NO WAY I would have ever removed the top starter bolt. I ended up using the "from the top" method and needed a socket wrench extension to break loose the top starter bolt. That NEVER would have happened from the bottom. The top way may take longer, but it was the only way for me.

[@MrSamadolfo]

@@builditsquare 🙂 ok cool, thank you for the tip friend 😇🙏

[@MrWallStreet119]

I've replaced mine from below, not difficult at all. Lay with head at front of the Element feet toward the back. Took very little time.

[@lolajoker]

Where do you place the long screwdriver to tap on the starter to try to get it to turn over one more time?

[@CarsNToys]

In between the exhaust manifold tube runners.

[@lolajoker]

Unfortunately I have a 2008 and the 2008's (I think starting with 2007) have a plastic resonator behind the intake manifold that doesn't allow you to get anything between those tube runners.

[@latino914]

@@lolajoker this is true as seen on a 2007 Honda Accord as well

[@nebulauxprhyme2983]

@@CarsNToys do you place in through the middle hole in the exhaust manifold then tap?

[@erwinmcdonald2621]

I can’t get my manifold to come off and I took off all the bolts you mentioned . Any tips ?

[@dante-th2nq]

Pry bar

[@nebulauxprhyme2983]

What size socket you used to loosen the 3 bolts?

[@MikeDeLorenze]

Not sure if anyone will see this. It looks like this video is over a year old. I need to relocate my 2008 Honda Element to swap out the starter. I can't seem to find the starter to use the "trick" to get it started. What is the best way to do this?

[@CarsNToys]

Tap the starter with a piece of wood. Place one end of the wood against the starter. On the other end, tap the wood with a heavy 3-lbs hammer. I was able to get another start or two doing so.

[@MikeDeLorenze]

@@CarsNToys thanks for the reply!

[@MrSamadolfo]

😏👍 Great! when u have time can u come by and replace my element starter, thx! 🚙😍

[@klepetar]

it really makes me think that maybe the next car i will buy won't be a honda..

[@CarsNToys]

The starter is certainly a tight fight. But after 15 years, this is the only thing that has failed on the vehicle.