Repair question [updated]

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove) 07/27/2020 at 09:18 • Filed to: Acura

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UPDATE:. Thanks for all the replies about how to deal with the belt. It’s worse than we thought. My dad and I got a chance to look into the bay this morning. The belt is fine. This wheel disassembled itself:

Apparently this is the outside “shoe” on what is called the “harmonic balancer”  that is bonded to the wheel itself. It has come unbonded if you will. This will entail a different kind of repair.

Let’s see if the hive mind can help with this one. My brother says he needs to replace the serpentine belt in the 2005 Acura RL. My quick internet search tells me it has a 225 hp non-VTEC Honda V6 C-series engine. Is this an easy part to source and replace himself, or is he taking this to the Acura service at the dealer?

Thanks for any help you can give. Here’s a Morgan without crosses eyes for your time.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Chariotoflove 07/26/2020 at 19:28

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Well if they think they can handle this 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 07/26/2020 at 19:30

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Good oppo, that.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove 07/26/2020 at 19:42

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Serpentine belts are usually super simple DIY jobs. Depending on the mileage of the car and whatnot, it may be wise to also replace the idler pulley and tensioner, too. At minimum, one would want to give them a spin once the old belt is off and  evaluate the condition of the bearings.  Those parts are usually cheap enough that there isn’t a reason not to do them if they aren’t in perfect condition and/or the cars got much more than like 60 or 70K on it.

dogisbadob > Chariotoflove 07/26/2020 at 19:42

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The 2005 has the J-series V6 which does have VTEC.

If it looks like the picture you posted, it has the J

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Chariotoflove 07/26/2020 at 19:53

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My experience with transverse engines tells  me that there’s only gonna be about an inch of clearance between the pulleys and inner fender for him to get tools into....

And a quick google search tells me there’s a shit ton of cladding to remove in order to just SEE the belt.

Verdict: if he’s not handy or mechanically inclined, go to a dealer

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/26/2020 at 20:00

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I don’t know how mechanically inclined others would consider me, but I’m no master, and I’ve done several serpentine belts on modern cars. I don’t find it that bad, especially with the special tensioner tools

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) 07/26/2020 at 20:05

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By “not mechanically inclined” I mean “couldn’t tell you what ‘ V6' means”

ClassicDatsunDebate > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 07/26/2020 at 20:05

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Although on a transverse, you may have a motor mount to contend with

CompactLuxuryFan > dogisbadob 07/26/2020 at 20:18

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Yeah I was gonna say it either looks like the pic or it has 225 hp. The one in the pic was the 300 hp debut of SH-AWD and still the best looking RL IMO. A 2005 would be like the one pictured. 

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/26/2020 at 20:37

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Oh no.....I have strong opinions about that. No tools for him

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > ClassicDatsunDebate 07/26/2020 at 20:38

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Only if someone hates you. I’ve done 3 on 3 different cars so far (different makes too) and haven’t had to mess with that. My upcoming one needs a stupid special tool though. No tensioner though 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 07/26/2020 at 20:42

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Looks doable with noodle arms

ClassicDatsunDebate > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) 07/26/2020 at 20:42

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My wife had a Daytona with the 2.5.  Chrysler put the left side motor mount inside the beltway.  Fun times!

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > ClassicDatsunDebate 07/26/2020 at 20:53

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Oh Mopar you scamp! 

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > Chariotoflove 07/27/2020 at 00:44

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Every Honda V6 I ’ve done serpentine belts on, and its actually been 2, has required I remove the passenger side wheel and the inner cover. The tensi oner is usually right there, pretty straight forward.

RacinBob > Chariotoflove 07/27/2020 at 08:49

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A thousand times no. If it is like my Si there will be 2 inches of clearance and it will be a SOB to just get the belt out and back in.

As a p oint of reference, it was 3 hours on my Civic Si including the time lost finding the tensioner bolt that I dropped. I wouldn’t try it again on a transverse engine.

Jb boin > Chariotoflove 07/27/2020 at 15:10

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Don’t know about this engine/platform but i would say that the damper pulley (also called harmonic balancer) but they are usually accessible after removing the wheel and the cladding behind it but might require a special tool to lock it in place as it’s directly bolted at the end of the crankshaft (so the engine will turn is you try to loose the bolt) and possibly an impact tool.

Chariotoflove > Jb boin 07/27/2020 at 18:31

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It’s accessible, but we aren’t going to try and fix it. Dad had it towed to a trusted indie mechanic this morning. I don’t think this is something we could access to replace without getting to it from underneath.