Is your Honda K series making a horrible screeching noise? It might be the serpentine belt tensioner. In this video I show you how to replace a bad serpentine belt tensioner on a Honda K series engine. I’m doing this job in a 2004 Honda Element, but this method should work for most Honda K series engines.
Unfortunately I couldn’t find the info on my former tensioner that went bad. This is the one I replaced it with.
Dayco Tensioner: https://www.amazon.com/Dayco-89321-Belt-Drive-Tensioner/dp/B000JZGMDU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1523475258&sr=8-11&keywords=2004+element+belt+tensioner
Hopefully it lasts longer than its predecessor. For best results, I recommend the Honda part, but it does come at a price.
Honda Tensioner: https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/honda~tensioner~assy~31170-raa-a02.html?Make=Honda&Model=Element&Year=2004&Submodel=&Filter=(bt=3%2c457;et=2%2c5)&Location=engine-mounting-bracket,3066271,4
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
Check out the ETCG Blog for the latest info: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/blog
Check out my ETCG1 channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCG1
Thanks for watching!
Discussion about this video: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/70148-how-to-replace-a-honda-k-series-serpentine-belt-tensioner
Tools
Long 12-14mm wrench: https://store.snapon.com/Standard-Handle-0-Offset-mm-12-Point-12-mm-14-mm-0-Offset-Metric-Box-Wrench-P633884.aspx
Related Videos
How To Replace a Honda K Series Starter the ‘Easy’ Way: https://youtu.be/dRZN4Tk9bNo
Honda Element & CRV Alternator Replacement With Diagnosis: https://youtu.be/Fb2ciFHkkeI
Honda Element/CRV 110K Service (Part 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMplrMKIIoo&t=7s
Honda Element/CRV 110K Service (Part 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gciwVamERn0
How To Reset Honda Element Maintenance Light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRMax93CjzA
Honda K Series Valve Adjustment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=959I0wF5NH8
Honda Element/CRV Thermostat Replacement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0vWv2Jwn3A&t=342s
How To Change Power Steering Fluid Honda Element: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iev1xIr345Y
Honda Element Front Stabilizer Link Replacement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYosZGby0-I
Honda Element Lower Control Arm Bushing Replacement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpaIvEN57Jg
Finding and Repairing Rear End Noise Honda Element: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRYfxRym-Kw
Honda Element Hood Cable Replacement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDF9g9BKYCM
**Answers to your automotive questions found here: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq
Social Network Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricTheCarGuy?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricTheCarGuy
Google+: https://plus.google.com/100195180196698058780/posts
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ericthecarguy
Wanna see more stuff like this from ETCG? Information on Premium Membership: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/premium-content-streaming-etcg-content
Stay Dirty
ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy®.
i replaced everything, tensioner and belt. Still get a noise. why?
So how's that Dayco tensioner holding up? I have to do the belt tensioner on my 03 RSX Base, and the Dayco is much less expensive than the Continental, but not a lot of reviews.
😂😂😂 5:39 no bueno!!!
Did i miss it or does no one talk about the little triangle and the square and line that’s on the tensioner that if comes outta line your supposed to change? I’m not sure this is true someone help me
With all the different cameras angles I wonder how the cameras plastics must look being around all the engine compartments. And oils. Just saying because i bet those cameras cost alot.
Did you have a bad engine or trans mount? That engine shook a lot when you started it.
As always Eric – thank YOU so much!!! Best wishes. Rick
is there any possible chance that you have a part number for the belt tensioner please.
I did it without removing engine mount, just removed tensioner's pulley and it gives room to remove tensioner, then did backwards: tensioner, pulley, PSP. It's making work easier and faster.
Like your videos a lot man. You inspire me !
Is that Dayco tensioner holding up? I have to replace the tensioner on a 2009 CRV. Thanks Eric
Anyone please chime in. Placing a support on oil pan is not a good ideal. The Oil Pan gasket will be compressed.
Once you pulled the support out from the Oil Pan,you will later be getting oil leaks.
Remember those Oil Pan's Bolts were torque down to correct amount.
Because supported something that weights more then 90kg will deformed the gasket.
Now bolts have not move at all & Oil Pan is now at non-compressed state…ending results with oil leaking out.
Great Video and glad I watched. Same Caahh (Boston) and I have to get to that VTEC screen/filter behind the Power Steering pump and now I at least know what I'm going to come across. Thanks ETCG
@Ericthecarguy i changed the tensioner assembly its all quiet until i put it on Drive and move the steering wheel that the new tensioner rattles and makes noise. What do you think i did wrong.
Can a bad tensioner pulley cause poor idle at stops?
hell no.. i'll pay someone to do it..
it was a LOT easier on my nissan 350z.. took me 1/2 hour..
Awesome as always. You may my diy life easier and cheaper, that’s for sure.
You dont have to take the whole motor mount out just the three bolts on top lift the bracket off and use a small rachet with a 12 long drive to get to that lower tensioner bolt. Remember to support the engine first.
Thanks for showing the difference between a new and old serpentine belt tensioner.
Would you suggest just changing the pulley? I bought a used auto-tensioner for my K20 Jackson Racing Supercharger setup and thought I could get by with just changing the pulley.
Did you use OEM tensioner? I tried replacing the tensioner but the belt keeps shifting over 2 teeth idk what the problem could be. Yes he belt is the right one. Yes the tensioner is new. Yes the belt is on the right path. No nothing wiggles it just slides off after 20-30 minutes of use
Extremely highly informative video. Thanks Mr.
Man this video saved my butt, the stealership wanted 530 bucks for this with parts…i got the whole tensioner ans a belt for a hundo. Looks like it can break four more times before ice reached the dealers price!!! Eric youre the man!!!! Thanks for the video, my 06 crv never sounded so saucy!!!!
Buen video amigo 👍🏻
I have a 2017 Accord 6 speed Manuel I have had to have my tensioner fixed twice since I've owned the car. It would make a loud whining sound. I have the new direct injection K Series. I'm not sure what my opinion is on the new direct injection K Series
Thank god the K24 isn't that cramped in the Accord as the Element.
I did the same thing with my rsx but now the belt isn't lined up straight, it squeaks while driving when its reset, then at high rpms the belt jumps and then isn't aligned right with the grooves. Any ideas?
Where can I buy a deep enough 17mm to get the engine mount? My deep 17mm doesn't even come close.
Also applies for Acura RSXs – same engine mount and everything
looking at this makes reemplacing the tensioner in my Grand Marquis a walk in the park.
Eric, why does the new part need to be well new instead of just replacing the pulley itself or the bearing inside? Also I’ve done my serpentine belt on my car thanks to your videos and an idler pulley. Wasn’t easy on a big v8 but it was easier access but not much wiggle room to route the belt back on towards the bottom of the engine. Only had to remove the battery
I did it in an 03 Element with the engine mount still in place.
The old serpentine belt tensioner sounded like a fidget Spinner.
Hey Eric what is that hood light mount thing you are using called. It looks really handy and I would like to purchase one because I find myself working on my car at night a lot and i dont have a garage!! Thanks!
Now try to find the squeak on my bike etcg
Are you going to do a oil pan replacement video? , all Honda Element have the same problems, it always rusted and corroded
People like to watch Eric video when he repair Honda only. Thanks for the come back Honda repair video 🙂
Dude makes this look easy…. I’m about to go get me some parts! Lol
Those Gp sockets are awesome!
Eric, I need your help…I watch this video on YouTube about how to tell which wheel bearing is bad on a car and I determined the front right based on this guys video. The noise goes away when turning right and gets worse when turning left. I replaced the front right on my CB7 which as you know is no easy task and now I have the same symptoms but it has always sounded like it’s coming from the front left. Should I just replace the front left wheel bearing and eat the cost or could it be something else. I should post a video so you can see it, or hear it actually.