Service Bulletin

14-025

July 31, 2014

BTB 51672 (1407)

Timing Belt Chirps
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Year
Model
2014
MDX
2014
RLX

Trim
ALL
ALL

SYMPTOM
There is a chirping noise coming from the timing belt area 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
Part Name

Part Number

Quantity

Flange Bolt 10 mm x 45 mm

90165-SDA-A00 (MDX)

1

90161-SDA-A01 (RLX)

1

Flange Bolt 10 mm x 60 mm

90168-TA1-A00

2

Flange Bolt 10 mm x 85 mm

90002-R70-A00

1

Flange Bolt 10 mm x 105 mm

95801-10105-08

2

Idler Pulley Shim

14559-RCA-305

1

O-Ring

91319-R70-A01 (MDX)

1

91319-PAA-A01 (RLX)

1

14551-RCA-A01

1

Part Name

Tool Number

Quantity

Holder Handle

07JAB-001020B

1

65 mm Tapered Holder

07AAB-RJAA100

1

Breaker Bar (commercially available)

07JAA-001020A

1

Timing Belt Idler Bolt
REQUIRED TOOLS

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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.

© 2014 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

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

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, view them online.
• 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 and let it warm up.
NOTE: It can take up to 30 minutes for the vehicle to become hot enough to hear the chirp.
Do you hear a chirp?
YES - If you can hear the chirp, go to step 2.
NO - If you do not hear a chirp, this bulletin does not apply. Continue with normal troubleshooting procedures.
2. Remove the drive belt and retest the engine while it is hot.
•
•

If you can hear the chirp, go to step 3.
If the chirp goes away, this bulletin does not apply. Continue with normal troubleshooting procedures.

3. Remove the right front wheel.

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4. Remove the engine undercover.

5. Hold the crankshaft pulley with the holder handle and the 50 mm offset holder attachment.

6. Remove the 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.

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8. Remove the lower cover.

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 the 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.

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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 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 108 N·m (80 lb-ft)

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

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