Honda Civic 1.7L SOHC Timing Belt, Tensioner, Water Pump Replacement Part 1 

Very clear Video. I have a 2003 Honda Civic LX and my feeling is that the Timing belt Jumped a tooth. It has 222,000 miles on it and I have neglected it over the Years. I bought it with 36,000 miles back in 2007 and pretty much changed the oil, a couple of brake jobs and changed the Alternator (twice, as I got a bad one that went bad after 1 month) and also 2 batteries over the last 8 years. Driving to my daughters, I got about 3/4 of the way (she lives about 120 miles away) and my acceleration seemed to be cutting out. I looked down and saw the 'Service Engine' light flashing. I pulled into a rest area, and the car stalled. I hoped a couple bottles of Fuel Injector Cleaner might do the trick. Nope... It was running rough, so I finished the drive to my daughters. Had a NAPA throw the Diagnostics on it and it had about 8 codes! The ones I saw were P300, P301, P302, P303, P304.... Which he told me I had Multiple Misfiring on all 4 cylinders. I bought some new Spark Plugs and 1 Ignition Coil, since I have had some misfiring codes in the past on cylinder #3 (Short on the Cash right now). All 4 plugs were Bad, #3 oily and bad. Changed the plugs and #3 Ignition Coil, but it's still running rough. Checked the Fuel Injectors, no parts stores had them in stock, so I cleaned them the best I could and re-installed. Ran a little better, but still not good. I'm starting to think it could have jumped a tooth on the timing belt (maybe belt and/or tensioner is going bad) as I found out that Timing Belts should be changed at 100,000 miles? So, it is Great to see a detailed description of how to change this belt. Your Video series was the clearest that I found... Bravo!

Hi, I just want to say thanks for posting these videos. They were essential in the replacement of the water pump on my '02 civic. Again thanks and I'm forever in your debt.

Can't thank you enough for the most helpful video on this subject on RU-vid. You have a real talent and use it well!

How would this vary, if at all, from a 1.7L WITH the VTEC, since you said this one didn’t have it? Thanks for all your helpful videos, man!

Thank you for this set of tutorials, you are classy mechanic which is shown in your best practice throughout. I followed your procedure exactly and worked a treat Cheers, Nigel

One of the best disassembly videos I've seen. Good job.

Followed your instruction. Car started first pop. Cheers mate.

The camera is really clear what kind of camera is that? I love this video thank you for making video for people maybe I gonna try by myself brother.

I'm working on my 2001 civic ex next week. My timing belt went on me while i was driving, so hopefully i don't have any valve damage. My gates timing belt just came in and I'm doing the work myself. Wish me luck!

VERY DETAILED AND VERY WELL EXPLAINED !! 6 STARS!!

Thanks to do this video. It´s really helpfully to me. Thanks for the details. Regards!!!

Why do I gotta mark which way the power steering belt and alternator belt turns? I thought if I just put the belt on there with tension I'm good. Like I'm able to just throw a belt on the alternator and power steering pump without timing it? But for the actually timing belt I gotta make sure it's in time dead center

Would this be the same sequence for replacing a head gasket? meaning the parts that would have to be taken off and such. Could I follow tthis video's steps and then just take off the cylinder head and replce the gasket along with timing belt and water pump?

I just did mine.. And it was fun. Thanks R&R

Now wait, did you removed the abs system? Because if you did you are cheating sir, I have a 2005 civic ex special edition and threads in the engine bracket for the engine (not the bolts)mount are gone, my question for you sir do I need to change the bracket or retread it

hello. what happen if the short bolt of whater pump is in the wrong side?.

You said non vtec, but there's a vtec solenoid to the left of the valve cover

hey me agend lol 1991 honda crx si. long story short i have a problem maybe you can help me or direct me the right way. my clutch goes into gear fine when the car is off.. when i start the car it will not go into any gear. the clutch is a shunk stage 2 bran new.. i had someone put it in 4 years ago.. i dont know what to do. just fill up the transmission with oil so its not that clutch fells good. smooth about 3inch then it kinda gets hard. but like i said it goes into gear when cars off not on doh.. any ideas??? thanks

Will this work for a VTEC engine too?

Where do i hook up my fuel pressure tester on this vehicle? My car just shut off on me and wont start up anymore. It cranks over but wont actually start.

Counterclockwise you know the engine stills goes clockwise

Thank you for your help it was very helpful...

Wow.

Hey op, I think you should put 2001-2005 in the title, it would make the video easier to find.

I just want to thank you for these videos they were very helpful to me. My car runs great once again, and that is a very big deal! Thank you!

I'm looking for a good price on some of those long handle box ratchet wrenches you used here. What brand were they? They look to be of good quality. Edit: nevermind I looked in the description lol

Great video series thank you! I followed this series step by step and my Honda is running great. The only thing I would change is when you are tightening the water pump bolts do it by hand instead of using a torque wrench. You only need 9-10lbs of torque and those bolts are easy to snap. Hand tighten snug and you're there.

I have a 2003 honda civic and I'm considering doing this myself. Does my engine turn clockwise or counterclockwise?

you can take the timing cover off without taking the valve cover off. Just involves a little bit of prying. I did it without breaking anything. It is, however very difficult to put back. I dremeled a bit of it off before re-installing. I was wondering what someone would charge for this. I'm doing it for a friend and want to quote them what they are saving by having me do it.

Is this for an lx special edition

Great video series! I really liked that there were no 1,2,skip-a-few,99,100 steps.

Is anyone out there still working on these civics in 2023???? I have a 2002 Civic LX and a 1991CRX 1.5 L DX 5 speed... planning to keep them forever....

Your videos rock. Saved me a bunch of money and after driving over 200 miles my honda still runs great! Thanks for making these.

Does this also apply to the 2003 d17a1?

I'm having a very difficult time getting the alternator green plug out, and the 10 MM off... In AZ and surprised it is so difficult....

I would charge about 900.00 for this job that is with them buying the parts and they would have to buy it from a Honda dealer because some of the after market parts are not that good and plus those belts are a little harder to get in time. Some of those after market belts have jumped time before.

Amazing video, do you buy aftermarket belt or OEM? Thanks

Watched this video and thought maybe better to just make sure i buy a 2006 or newer Honda Civic so i never have to do this.

Whoever disliked this video can't appreciate good know how. Thanks for the video.

I’m about to change mine out, but question. Is it the same process for a 2002 ex sohc vtec?

What was the milage on your honda when you changed your timing belt? What was the condition of the belt? ....Mario from Nova Scotia

I just bought a 2004 2 door Honda Civic coupe and it's needed a lot of work and the very last thing I needed to do is replace the water pump so your video is really helpful thanks

Maybe I just missed it how come you removed the servitude belt and not the timing belt? I timing belt was removed !

Why at night?

great videos helped out alot today while doing mine. just bought my Honda with 155k on it two owners and I don't think they ever changed it.

Thanks man took me 5 hours but i got it done

Awesome job thank you

thank you so much for this! You saved my butt!

So this is not for the 2.0 vtech right

Hi there, great video, may I ask a question though..... you have the crank positioned correctly at TDC and then the cam lined up correctly with the cylinder head. however, when you set the tension by pulling up on the spring does the crank stay in position or does it move out of time? A way around this I'm thinking is set the crank at slightly before tdc so the tensioner pulls the crank in line when the tension gets set? Thank you

2:20 that’s not the pcv hose

I got my timing belt, tensioner and water pump replaced at a shop, and now have a new leak coming from in between the crank pully and where it mates with the crank gear.. any ideas what it could be coming from?

Great video. Do you have one on head gasket replacement for same vehicle?

It's a pleasure to watch you work.

muchas gracias brother

2005 hondas turn clockwise not counterclockwise!

Are all the steps you have to follow . To just do the water pump ?

Great set of videos! I have a 2002 Civic 1.7 SOHC. The timing belt broke as I was driving on the freeway. What are the chances of my valves not being bent?

Great instructional. Bravo!