Service Bulletin
January 19, 2016

14-025
01816 Version 3

Timing Belt Chirps
Supersedes 14-025, dated April 28, 2015, to revise the information highlighted in yellow
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Year
Model
2014–15
MDX
2016
MDX
2016
MDX
2014–15
RLX
2016
RLX
2015
TLX
2015
TLX

Trim
ALL
2WD
AWD
ALL except Hybrid
ALL except Hybrid
2WD
AWD

VIN Range
ALL
5FRYD3…GB000001 thru 5FRYD3…GB008556
5FRYD4…GB000001 thru 5FRYD4…GB032107
ALL
JH4KC1…GC000001 thru JH4KC1…GC000922
19UUB2…FA000001 thru 19UUB2…FA025139
19UUB3…FA000001 thru 19UUB3…FA010310

REVISION SUMMARY
Under AFFECTED VEHICLES, VINs have been added.
SYMPTOM
The timing belt area makes a chirp after the engine warms up.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
The timing belt contacts the back edge of the crankshaft pulley.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Do the diagnosis and, based on the results, install an idler pulley shim.
PARTS INFORMATION
Required Parts for all models:
Part Name
Idler Pulley Shim
Timing Belt Idler Bolt
Flange Bolt 10 mm x 60 mm
Flange Bolt 10 mm x 85 mm
Flange Bolt 10 mm x 105 mm

Part Number
14559-RCA-305
14551-RCA-A01
90168-TA1-A00
90002-R70-A00
95801-10105-08

Quantity
1
1
2
1
2

For MDX, add the following:
Part Name
O-Ring
Flange Bolt 12 mm x 45 mm

Part Number
91319-R70-A01
90165-SDA-A00

Quantity
1
1
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CLIENT INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment,
and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not
assume this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact
an authorized Acura automobile dealer.

© 2016 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

For RLX, add the following:
Part Name
O-Ring
Flange Bolt 12 mm x 45 mm

Part Number
91319-PAA-A01
90161-SDA-A01

Quantity
1
1

For TLX, add the following:
Part Name
O-Ring
Flange Bolt 12 mm x 45 mm

Part Number
91319-R70-A01
90161-SDA-A01

Quantity
1
1

REQUIRED TOOLS
Part Name

Tool Number

Quantity

Holder Handle

07JAB-001020B

1

Pulley Holder

07MAB-PY3010A

1

Breaker Bar (commercially available)

07JAA-001020A

1

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
The normal warranty applies.
Model

Operation Number

Description

Flat Rate
Time

Template ID

Failed Part
Number

MDX

1110A7

Diagnose, and install an
idler pulley shim.

2.5 hours

14-025N

14400-R9P-A01

RLX

1110A7

Diagnose, and install an
idler pulley shim.

2.5 hours

14-025P

14400-R9P-A01

TLX

1110A7

Diagnose, and install an
idler pulley shim.

2.5 hours

14-025Q

14400-R9P-A01

Defect Code:

07403

Symptom Code: 04201
Skill Level:

Repair Technician

DIAGNOSIS
NOTE: During the diagnosis and repair, you will do the basic procedures listed below. For more detail about any of
these procedures, see the electronic service manual.
• Wheel Removal and Installation
• Engine Undercover Removal and Installation
• Drive Belt Removal and Installation
• Crankshaft Pulley Removal and Installation
• Timing Belt Removal and Installation
• Side Engine Mount Removal and Installation
• Timing Belt Auto-Tensioner Removal and Installation
1. Start the engine, let it warm up, and listen for a chirp.
NOTE: It can take up to 30 minutes for the engine to become hot enough to hear a chirp.
Do you hear a chirp?
YES - If you hear a chirp, go to step 2.
NO - If you do not hear a chirp, this bulletin does not apply. Continue with normal troubleshooting procedures.
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2. Remove the drive belt and retest the engine while it is hot.
•
•

If you hear a chirp, go to step 3.
If you do not hear a chirp, this bulletin does not apply. Continue with normal troubleshooting procedures.

3. Remove the right front wheel.
4. Remove the engine undercover.

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5. Hold the crankshaft pulley with the holder handle and the pulley holder.

6. Remove the crankshaft bolt with a heavy duty 19 mm socket and a breaker bar, then remove the crankshaft pulley
and washer. Temporarily reinstall the crankshaft bolt.

7. Remove the front and rear upper covers.
NOTE: Keep the A/C pressure sensor harness out of the way of moving parts by attaching it to the A/C line with a
zip tie.

8. Remove the lower cover.

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9. Start the engine while it is still hot, then spray the back edge of the timing belt with water while it is running.
Do you still hear a chirp?
• If the chirp lessens, changes pitch, or goes away, go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
• If the chirp does not change, this bulletin does not apply. Continue with normal troubleshooting procedures.

REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Try to insert a 0.95 mm feeler gauge between the top edge of the timing belt idler pulley and the back side of the
side engine mount bracket that overhangs the pulley.
NOTE: Make sure you remove the feeler gauge from its holder to get a more accurate measurement.
• If you can insert the feeler gauge between the timing belt idler pulley and engine mount bracket, go to step 4.
• If you cannot insert the feeler gauge, go to step 2.

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2. Remove the side engine mount bracket.

3. Using a die grinder with a 2-inch grinding disc, use the circular casting offset as a guide to grind the side engine
mount bracket until the lip measures 2 mm in thickness.
NOTE: Use a vernier caliper or micrometer to confirm the amount of material removed.

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4. Set the engine to TDC (top dead center).
•

Align the TDC mark on the tooth of the timing belt drive pulley with the pointer on the oil pump.

•

Align the TDC marks on the camshaft pulleys with the pointers on the back covers.

5. Thread and hand-tighten a battery clamp bolt as shown to hold the timing belt adjuster in its current position.
NOTE: Do not use a wrench to tighten the battery clamp bolt.

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6. Remove the idler pulley.

7. Remove the timing belt.
8. Remove the rocker arm oil pressure sensor from the oil filter housing to access the timing belt auto-tensioner bolts.
•
•
•

Disconnect the rocker arm oil pressure sensor connector.
Remove the rocker arm oil pressure sensor.
Remove any old liquid gasket from the switch and the switch mounting hole.

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9. Remove the battery clamp bolt from the timing belt adjuster, then remove the timing belt auto-tensioner.

10. Place the idler pulley shim between the idler pulley and the oil pump housing; loosely install the new idler pulley bolt
with Hondalock 1 applied to its threads. Make sure you follow the instructions on the Hondalock 1 container.
NOTE: The shim is tapered from left to right. The word OUT is stamped into the tang and painted white. It should be
readable after the shim is installed.

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11. Install the new idler pulley bolt:
•

Insert the square end of a ¼-inch-drive ratchet extension to keep the shim’s tang in the correct position.

•
•

Tighten the idler pulley bolt to 44 N·m (33 lb-ft).
Bend the shim’s tang slightly towards the oil pump housing to keep it away from the idler pulley.

12. Compress the timing belt auto tensioner.
•
•

Align the holes on the rod and timing belt auto-tensioner housing.
Use a hydraulic press to slowly compress the timing belt auto-tensioner. Insert a 2 mm (5/64 in) pin through the
housing and the rod.

13. Thread and hand-tighten a battery clamp bolt to hold the timing belt adjuster.
NOTE: Do not use a wrench to tighten the battery clamp bolt.

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14. Reinstall the timing belt auto-tensioner. Do not remove the pin.

15. Reinstall the rocker arm oil pressure sensor.
•

•
•

Apply Hondabond 4 liquid gasket to the rocker arm oil pressure sensor threads.
NOTE: Do not use too much liquid gasket because excessive liquid may enter the oil passages or block the end
of the sensor.
Install the rocker arm oil pressure switch with a new O-ring.
Connect the rocker arm oil pressure switch connector.

16. Reinstall the timing belt.

17. Remove the pin from the timing belt auto-tensioner.
18. Remove the battery clamp bolt from the timing belt adjuster and return it to its original location.

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19. Reinstall the side engine mount with the new bolts and torque them as shown.

20. Install the upper and lower covers.
21. Remove the crank pulley bolt.
22. Remove any oil and clean the crankshaft pulley, washer, and bolt. Lubricate with new engine oil as shown.

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23. Install the crankshaft pulley and torque the bolt to 65 N·m (48 lb-ft).
24. Tighten the bolt an additional 60 degrees.

25. Install the drive belt.
26. Install the engine undercover.
27. Install the right front wheel and torque the nuts.
•
•

RLX: 127 N·m (94 lb-ft)
MDX: and TLX: 108 N·m (80 lb-ft)

28. Do the CKP pattern clear and the CKP pattern learn procedure.
NOTE: If you do not do these procedures, the PCM may falsely detect a misfire and set a DTC when there is no
misfire.
END

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