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!
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.
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
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.
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!!
@@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).
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.
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.
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!
The one bolt on the bottom of the intake manifold is a PAIN if u decide to remove it. I did bc it gave me more room to maneuver but if u can make it work with just backing it out, it might just save u a half hour.
🤓 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 🚙😍
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.
Nah, transmission housing in the way. There’s 3 ways to do it, take out manifold, intake way) 2: go underneath it ( rad hose in the way) & 3rd way is taking out the alternator & going thru the side
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.
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
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?
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.
