CUSTOMER STATES RATTLING & WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING! HONDA ODYSSEY BELT TENSIONER REPLACEMENT

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of replacing the serpentine belt tensioner on a Honda Odyssey 3.5L engine. If you hear rattling or whining noises when accelerating, it might be time to check and replace the belt tensioner. This step-by-step guide will help you complete the task efficiently and safely.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

• Ensure you have all necessary tools ready, including:
  • 12mm socket
  • 14mm socket
  • 15mm socket (for aftermarket parts)
  • Long extension
  • Ratchet or electric ratchet
• Disconnect the battery to prevent any electrical issues during the replacement.
• If the workspace is cluttered, clear it out for better accessibility.

Step 2: Locate the Tensioner Assembly

• Open the engine bay and locate the tensioner assembly, which is situated near the serpentine belt.
• Identify the two pulleys:
  • The top pulley is the tensioner.
  • The bottom pulley is the idler.

Step 3: Remove the Old Tensioner Assembly

• Start with the 12mm bolt located at the bottom of the tensioner assembly:
  • Use a long extension to reach this bolt.
  • Loosen and remove it.
• Next, remove the 14mm bolt in the center of the assembly:
  • If it’s already loosened, an electric ratchet can speed up this process.
  • Once loosened, carefully remove the bolt.

Step 4: Inspect the Old Tensioner

• Take a moment to examine the old tensioner assembly:
  • Notice how the spring mechanism works and the orientation of the pulleys.
  • This will help you understand how to install the new tensioner correctly.

Step 5: Install the New Tensioner Assembly

• Position the new tensioner assembly in place:
  • Line up the central bolt hole first.
  • Hand-thread the central bolt to hold it in place without tightening it all the way.
• Insert the 12mm locating bolt:
  • This may require some jiggling to align correctly.
  • Hand-thread this bolt as well.

Step 6: Tighten the Bolts

• Once both bolts are hand-tight, proceed to tighten them:
  • Start with the 12mm bolt to ensure the assembly is well-positioned.
  • Follow with the central bolt (14mm or 15mm depending on your part).
• Ensure both bolts are secured but do not over-tighten to avoid damaging the assembly.

Step 7: Final Checks

• Spin both pulleys to ensure they move freely without obstruction.
• Reattach the serpentine belt around the new tensioner assembly.

Conclusion

Replacing the serpentine belt tensioner on your Honda Odyssey is a straightforward task that can help resolve noise issues when accelerating. Remember to work carefully, ensuring that all bolts are secured without being over-tightened. Once completed, reconnect the battery and start your engine to confirm that the noise has been resolved. If you have further repairs or maintenance to perform, consider consulting additional resources or tutorials. Happy repairing!