Honda V6 Timing Belt Pictures

[The Critic]

Sharing some photos from a Honda V6 timing belt service that was performed this week. Vehicle was a 2016 with 108K miles. It was the J35Z2 with VCM. I have maintained this car since its 3rd oil change.

I replaced the timing belt, water pump, hydraulic tensioner, serpentine belt, side engine mount and spark plugs. The timing belt adjuster and idler pulley were reused. All parts were Genuine Honda except for the spark plugs which were NGK Laser Iridiums. The valve adjustment was skipped since MAP voltage read .84v at idle and was stable. While the car was here I also replaced both air filters, all wiper inserts and performed a brake flush.

As expected the timing belt, water pump and drive belt were in excellent condition. The hydraulic timing belt tensioner was dripping oil. This is unfortunately quite common after 80-90K on the newer J-Series engines. The side engine mount was replaced because it has started to crack and the mount was already being removed for the timing belt service.

The customer specifically requested Genuine Honda parts. I personally find the Honda timing belt to be better built and fits tighter than the Mitsuboshi belt in the Aisin kits. I also did not hear the usual “warbling” sound that is common after installing the Aisin kits. But you pay 2-3x more for the Genuine Honda parts and both options are likely to get you the same service life. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[clinebarger]

The Tensioner seems to be a weak point on J35's in general, Thanks for sharing!!

 

[AutoMechanic]

Great work. It’s great when the customer agrees to all genuine parts without having to explain too much to them about it. Those are some long plugs don’t look extremely bad for 108k assuming they are original. Is that one picture showing down in the radiator? Can’t really tell.

 

[The Critic]

Great work. It’s great when the customer agrees to all genuine parts without having to explain too much to them about it. Those are some long plugs don’t look extremely bad for 108k assuming they are original. Is that one picture showing down in the radiator? Can’t really tell.

The last picture? It was just a general picture of the engine bay.

 

[Jetronic]

I think he's talking about the first engine mount picture. Took me a few seconds to realise what I was looking at aswell

 

[atikovi]

Nice pics but a dated picture of the new belt would have been really helpful for future resale. Anyone can slap on a timing belt change sticker.

 

[AutoMechanic]

The last picture? It was just a general picture of the engine bay.

I was talking about the ones after the water pump picture. I think after a second look it might be the mount I couldn’t tell when I seen it last night.

 

[Nukeman7]

Critic, when I purchased a timing belt from my local Honda dealership for a 2006 Odyssey last year, I received an OEM Honda belt in a hermetically sealed clear plastic bag with typical Honda parts number markings. The belt had all the genuine Honda markings and smaller markings that said manufactured by Gates Rubber company. Was your Honda timing belt made by Gates? The original belt from the factory was a Mitsuboshi as it had never been replaced before.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I had the hydraulic tensioner go bad on wifey's '88 Civic years ago. Had to max out the distributer timing to get it to run.
I didn't know what the problem was; a great shop fixed it for us. That was 1 long running car!

 

[JC1]

Thanks for the pics. How many hours did it take you to replace the timing belt and water pump?

I guess Honda isn't switching these engines over to timing chains.

 

[dishdude]

Thanks for the pics. How many hours did it take you to replace the timing belt and water pump?

I guess Honda isn't switching these engines over to timing chains.

I have a feeling they're riding out the last of this old V6 before switching over to all turbo 4's.

 

[JC1]

I have a feeling they're riding out the last of this old V6 before switching over to all turbo 4's.

Yeah they'll name the line of engines VTEC-Boost..... Don't think I'd want a Turbo 4 in a heavy vehicle.

 

[The Critic]

Nice pics but a dated picture of the new belt would have been really helpful for future resale. Anyone can slap on a timing belt change sticker.

They will receive a shop receipt. Besides, anyone familiar with these vehicles can easily tell if the timing belt was replaced. If this engine still had the original belt after 100k, the tensioner will be damp (which is visible without having to disassemble) and/or the tensioner will be rattling.

Critic, when I purchased a timing belt from my local Honda dealership for a 2006 Odyssey last year, I received an OEM Honda belt in a hermetically sealed clear plastic bag with typical Honda parts number markings. The belt had all the genuine Honda markings and smaller markings that said manufactured by Gates Rubber company. Was your Honda timing belt made by Gates? The original belt from the factory was a Mitsuboshi as it had never been replaced before.

New belt is Unitta, Made in Japan.

Thanks for the pics. How many hours did it take you to replace the timing belt and water pump?

I guess Honda isn't switching these engines over to timing chains.

2.5-3 hr but I spent extra time for the radiator and engine block to drain in order to minimize the mess of spilled coolant. Plus I had other things going on. Job can easily be done in under 2 if I was focused and allowed the usual waterfall of coolant to occur (when removing the water pump).

I have a feeling they're riding out the last of this old V6 before switching over to all turbo 4's.

The 2022 MDX was just announced and it will continue using the J-series V6. I have no issue with timing belts - the J-series belt is easy to replace and is much easier to manage than most Timing Chain jobs. The valve adjustments are more annoying to me.

 

[Hall]

Nice pics but a dated picture of the new belt would have been really helpful for future resale. Anyone can slap on a timing belt change sticker.

Have you actually done this and showed it to a buyer ? If so, did they really care or know what it meant ? To 9/10 buyers, proving the timing belt has been changed means absolutely nothing.

 

[atikovi]

Have you actually done this and showed it to a buyer ? If so, did they really care or know what it meant ? To 9/10 buyers, proving the timing belt has been changed means absolutely nothing.

On every car I've sold that I changed the belt on. And some did mention how thorough the description was. I know if I was buying a car and saw that a $500-$1000 scheduled service was completed, I'd be more inclined to buy that one over another that didn't have it.

 

[NormanBuntz]

I have a feeling they're riding out the last of this old V6 before switching over to all turbo 4's.

I pray not. I love the Honda V-6's. Next year I plan to buy a new Passport, Ridgeline or MDX. As an old school guy, I don't trust the turbo fours.

 

[Hall]

You would factor it in. And if I were buying a timing-belt-equipped Honda, I would too. I'd at least tell them to knock the price down $500+ due to needing the timing belt done. Issue is, many owners (sellers) don't know what you're talking about and will balk at the price drop. Or, the vast majority of drivers know nothing about timing belts on (certain) Hondas being mandatory replacement items and won't say anything or care.

 

[atikovi]

Just that you take the time to document the service in pictures gives some buyers more confidence. Heck, I even show brake fluid changes.

 

[Nukeman7]

New belt is Unitta, Made in Japan.

That makes sense since Gates-Unitta is a joint venture partnership.

Gates-Unitta

 

[ctechbob]

I pray not. I love the Honda V-6's. Next year I plan to buy a new Passport, Ridgeline or MDX. As an old school guy, I don't trust the turbo fours.

The TL Type is is going to be a turbo V6 based on the J-Series. That motor will make it into the MDX and probably the Piolot/Ridgeline at some point. It's not dead yet.

FWIW, I will take a J-Series timing belt that is designed to be replaced over a chain any day. All these cars and trucks running around with chains and what happens? The guides fail and need replaced, in a system that isn't designed to be serviced easily. Looking at you EcoBoost, and Audi.

...even though I just bought a chain Ecoboost engine, I'm going to gloss over that for the length of my lifetime powertrain warranty.