How to Change 2007/2008 Honda Fit Drive Belt and Idler Pulley

2007/2008 Honda Fit drive belt and idler pulley replacement. You will need a jack, jack stand, safety goggles, flat head screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, pipe/cheater bar, ratchet, 10mm socket, 12 mm socket, drive belt, idler pulley, penetrating oil, and a lot of patience. If you are slow and methodical about 2-3 hours.
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[@_Keto_Diet]

Great Video shots of everything! Very Helpful!👍😃👍‍‍ I watched your video 1st to see what's involved and then devised an easier/quicker way to change them out on my 2007 Fit. I replaced my Serpentine belt and idler pulley from the top. To the left of the idler is the box with all the brake lines running to it. I removed the 3 bolts securing it to fender and that allowed it to slide over a bit to give more clearance for removing the idler bolt from the top. EGR did not need to be removed. I removed the air cleaner housing. This allowed a ratchet with long extensions to easily get at bottom alternator bolt. The bottom bolt was missing! My belt was shredded on the road about a mile from my house! Literately looked like Spaghetti! The idler bearing can be removed and replaced for about $5. I robbed the alternator bolt & another missing bolt, idler pulley and Serpentine belt off another 2007 Fit that I'm not using right now and will have to replace the parts on it later. I needed to get this car on the road quick. The Parts store often has to ship parts in from another store and I did not have all day to wait for it.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Hey @keto_Diet sorry I missed your post. I am glad my video was helpful and you were able to get your car back on the road. Our goal is to point people in the direction to get things done and it sound like that was the case here. Have a great night.

[@lucienskinner-savallisch5399]

I was worried about the dustcap cause another guy pressed his bearings out to swap the bearings on the original pulley and i was trying rather unsuccessfully, awesome that you don't need the dust cap!!! Thanks for the awesome video!!!

[@scottweavermusic4130]

This is the by far the best video for this on KZbin. Well Done!

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Thank you, we wanted to give as much detail as possible. Especially with the frustrating parts. Appreciate your nice comments!

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Thanks@scottweavermusic4130 thats super kind.

[@adamhorton402]

Seriously what a great video. You guys saved my life with this. I've spent all of yesterday wondering why my instillation hasn't worked and you guys answered my questions! Thank you so much. Seriously. I'll be subscribing and watching for Fit videos for my 2008 Fit Sport!!!!

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Thank you, glad it helped you out. We procrastinated doing this to ours, glad we did!

[@momanddadmeetworld]

We will be doing a tune up in the near future so we will definitely post that!

[@Brooklyn_Ann]

Thanks for this. I have to replace my alternator and belt tomorrow. Wish me luck!

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Best of luck to you!

[@rentbennett]

This video was very helpful for me! I also ended up needing to loosen the bottom alternator bolt - but since i had an extra long (30 or 36") socket extension, i was able to access it from beneath the vehicle without removing anything up top! The extension put the socket wrench handle closer to the driver side where there's a little more room to maneuver, and the straight extension could thread through the hoses and cables to reach the bolt.

[@salrodriguez1093]

This is a super helpful video. Just wanted to give a couple of pointers I found while doing this job myself. You can actually access that lower alternator bolt from above the engine bay by using two large extensions and a swivel (keeps you from having to mess with the EGR stuff). Just gotta feed the extensions and your swivel through the front of the engine by the airbox, then down the front of the dipstick. NAPA also has an aftermarket idler puller that is the same diameter and width as the oem one and allows you to still run that factory dustcap.

[@papu90]

Great stuff! 👍 thanks so much for the video. Really helped out

[@user-yd7bi1tp4y]

Great information that saved me a ton of time! Thank you for posting the video!

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Thanks for the kind words. April was did a great job explaining and conveying the information.

[@user-ok6dn9bu8v]

Guys thanks so much. This vid helped me alot for my 2002 Jazz/Fit. I had to completely remove the tensioner to allow movement to refit the belt. Newer car have different tensioner bolts which are easier to use and to reach. I had some trouble with the bottom alternator nut. Tryed the top and also from the bottom. Eventually get it loose, afte4 45 mins. These are cars have compact engine bays and it a absolute headache reach nut etc. Thanks again saved on labour cost 40 to 60 GBP

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Im so glad this helped you. We bought our Fit after seeing the Jazz in Macau. Great cars but yes super small engine bays!

[@Ubereclectic]

Great video. I was able to loosen the top alternator bolt using a standard ratchet/socket by disconnecting the ABS connector. Just pull up on the orange retainer and slide it to its top position and the connector comes right off. I also used a hammer and 12" extension to push the alternator backward and a prybar to pull it forward without wrestling with the bottom bolt. Tensioner specs are fuzzy, I ended up replacing the water pump 600 miles later and I'm calling myself out for overtightening the belt. (See "sad trombone") After replacing the water pump I tried the "turn the belt 90 degrees to check tension trick" and the belt squeals a little with the alternator under load. The belt is cupped a litte from the whole ordeal so I am replacing it with a Gates belt I just ordered. When the pump went there were ball bearings in the splash gaurd and I flushed out pieces of the broken impeller. I think there was a little play in the bearing on the old pump but I definitely helped it along toward its demise. The car has 170K and I do recommend replacing the water pump. It's not too difficult and you have to remove the idler to get the top bolt anyway so just go the extra mile. I think the water pump takes less time to install than the @* idler pulley. BTW I was very impressed with how good the coolant looked so I replaced it with the blue.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

I am glad you got it fixed & the video was helpful. My car has 200+K on it. I did the 100K tune up at Honda and their tech told me these cars have a timing chain and not to worry about the water pump. Im sorry you had to do yours. I know the serpentine belt is def. something you have to get right. @Hachiro listed specs for tightening it in comments a few months back. Squealing belts are usually too loose from all my automotive experience over the years. To tight and they snap or damage other pumps. I hope the better belt fixes the issue.

[@pinkyandnick]

Great video thanks!

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@alexgama8265]

Great video! Muchas gracias for the tips❤

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mg8718]

Good job.

[@oneshoe6938]

This is helpful, thanks. Where can i find that "short Flat Ratchet" not sure what to look up online?????

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Hey @Oneshoe6938 that is a great question. I think you are referring to the ratcheting wrenches. Here is link for something similar to what I found on amazon. I don't know about this brand but this in an inexpensive option similar to my set. I don't remember where we got ours. www.amazon.com/OTLOOMTBT-Industrial-Grade-Ratcheting-Combination-SAE/dp/B0C71ML2SS/ref=sr_1_8?crid=350F8OIF7TLRX&keywords=ratcheting+wrench+set&qid=1694974771&sprefix=wratcheting+%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-8

[@Kattakattak]

Without the dust cap, how does the bolt stay on? Is there another part besides just the bolt, replacement pulley, spacer, and unused dust cover? Thanks!

[@youtubevideoviewer252]

Hi, this is a great question! The bolt and washer don’t pass through the pully as the bolt has a flared edge. The dust cap is just that for dust. Since the pully bearings are sealed I haven’t seen any issues with out it. You could go OE and order your parts at honda and avoid needing to leave the dust cap off. This is April btw AKA Mom😂 on my personal acct! Didn’t want you to wait for a response if you were in mid repair

[@Hachiro]

Awesome. Got worried when I saw on rockauto that an auto tensioner showed up at nearly 100 bucks. Must be the tensioner for the timing chain. I 100% know I can do this now, seeing that the alternator is the tensioner. I've done the belt on my previous car, a 1998 Accord, and it had the same idea.

[@Hachiro]

Also, wow that camera you guys used is awesome! I thought one of the first shots from under the car was a photograph, then the view moved and it was so smooth and clear!

[@Hachiro]

Ah! The auto tensioner is for the European Fits (Jazz). Sheesh I wonder why they have so many more components. (Like double the spark plugs / ignition coils! Like holy crap that's so much money when the time comes to replace those!)

[@momanddadmeetworld]

@hachiro I am sorry I missed your posts on this video. I think my notifications must have been lagging then. I am so glad that this pointed you in the right direction so you could get things done. I have heard Rock Auto is great but havent used them. I need to next time for sure.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

@@Hachiro I didn't know that about the Jazz but I am not surprised. The international model has an option for even better gas mileage ratings that we don't get in the US. I bet that is why it has so many extras.

[@Hachiro]

@@momanddadmeetworld You can find parts on there with better prices than autozone or Amazon. Not every time, but a lot of the time. (Sometimes amazon/Autozone can be cheaper, so always cross-check prices!) One example I had, was a full clutch "kit" for the 1st gen fit was about 90 bucks cheaper through Rockauto, than buying the parts separately from Amazon, Autozone, and Exedy. (This included the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, pilot bearing, throwout bearing, and rear main seal.) kit in quotes, cause I just added the parts to the cart manually.

[@wildboby1]

Hey guys, thanks for the video. As someone that has to do this job soon, would it not be easier to just loosen the idler pulley and then sliding it off with the belt? And then just sliding on the new one with the new belt? Thanks.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Hi@wildboby1, great question. Thanks for asking! Unfortunately if you wish to replace the pulley, you only have less than 1/2 inch room in that fender wall to work with. Thus the ratcheting wrench being necessary. Are you asking about not replacing the pulley? I didn't want to risk the pulley failing but if you are only doing the belt you could try to slide it off another way after loosening the tension via the alternator. I couldn't get it off another way and didnt want to risk it failing. I have small hands and I struggled to get the pulley out and back in along with the belt.

[@danielgriffith8911]

great video! How can you tell if the pulley is bad? does it make a chirping noise?

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Thats a great question. I replaced mine because it had almost 200K miles on it. I have had them go bad in other cars and it was not a fun job to be broken down on the side of the road. A call to your local Honda dealer for a recommendation would probably be a good starting point if you are thinking on re-using the current one.

[@danielgriffith8911]

@@momanddadmeetworldactually just diagnosing the chirp/squeal.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

@@danielgriffith8911 That's likely your belt making the noise because it's stretching/stretched.

[@blazefell7308]

Can I put tape on the serpentine belt after it snapped

[@blazefell7308]

I have scotch tape

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Not even duct tape…

[@dand7056]

I didn't understand what the long swivel was going on down below. What are you doing there? I guess I'll find out in the next few hours when I replace my daughter's belt and tensioner.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

The big swivel is to loosen the lower alternator bolt as the alternator did not budge to relieve tension. Once the bolt was loosened, it actually took tension off the tension pulley. It was very odd, but even with the tension pulley loose, the alternator would not move until that 3rd bolt was loose. Therefore, once the pulley was loose the belt could be removed.

[@dand7056]

@@momanddadmeetworld that must be the pivot point. If mine is loose enough to move the alternator would I need to tighten after I'm done?

[@momanddadmeetworld]

@@dand7056 Yes you do. The belt needs to be pretty snug/tight to properly work. We had our belt too loose on the first car and got belt squeel. Once we tightened the bottom bolt and then used the tensioner to snug it up we tightened the top bolts amd we were all good.

[@dand7056]

@@momanddadmeetworld it took longer than I thought and the new belt was tighter to slip on . But I slipped it over the smooth larger pully and it finally slipped on. Thanks for your video it was helpful.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

@@dand7056 Glad you were able to get it done. It took us a long time with the first car, the second car (since our daughter has the same car) literally took a fraction of time.

[@yangy8783]

back in 2018,the car just 10years old. tensioner screw broke in to two, half of it was still stuck in the tension bracket. you better be prepared.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

What did you end of doing?

[@yangy8783]

@@momanddadmeetworld end up getting a new oem bolt by waited 5days... of cause you can use other smaller bolts to lock the bracket top and bottom and adjust the tension for temporary use.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

@@yangy8783 Really good information to know! How hard was it to pull the broken bolt pieces?

[@Hachiro]

Torque specs, for those who want to know; Alternator pivot bolt: 44Nm / 33ft-lbs Alternator adjuster lock, Idler pulley, and nuts that hold the EGR passage are all 24Nm / 17ft-lbs. It's also recommended by the service manual to install a new gasket for the EGR passage. And if you happen to have Honda's belt tension gauge (07JGG-0010100), a new belt should be 980-1,078 N / 220-242 Ibf. Measured between the crank and compressor if you have A/C. Or between the the crank and alternator if you don't have A/C.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Great information- thank you!

[@Hachiro]

@@momanddadmeetworld You're welcome! I love having access to the service manuals for cars I or my family own(s), because I want to make sure I do any repair or maintenance correctly. Before I bought my own Fit, I made sure I had the service manual for it. If you are in need of it, and are comfortable with receiving a PDF file from a stranger, I could send it to you. I've got the service manuals for both 1st and 2nd gen Fit. Third gen would require access to Honda's special repair website, which is a subscription service.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

@@Hachiro That's awesome! Back in the day we would buy the Chilton or Haynes repair manuals. Or go to the library and take photo copies. Tech has advanced well in this department. Just like being able to buy parts on amazon. I never thought I would buy Honda transmission fluid off of amazon... but I did.

[@moonlee9898]

The space in such a compact car is tooo tight, makes such a simple job a pain in the ass.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Totally agree. Have a great day.

[@Lilregpack]

Why not just cut off the old belt

[@momanddadmeetworld]

I like to compare the size of the old belt to the new belt to make sure we got the correct one. I like to make sure we're in the ballpark when putting on the new belt. For example, if a car didn't have AC and another car did have AC you'd have an extra pulley and a longer belt. Just in case the automotive store gave you the wrong belt.

[@jackmacdonald8598]

background music ugghhh

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Good grief, what a PITA for a tiny Fit. I can change the belt on my S-Class 4Matic Mercedes in under 5 mins. Put a wrench on the tensioner, remove the tension by pulling the wrench a few inches, the belt pops off. This is ridiculous, but thanks for the video, very helpful.

[@momanddadmeetworld]

Thanks for the nice comments. Definitely a PITA.

[@ThePowerhouseHD]

Great vid! Ty!!!!