Replacing the serpentine belt on your 2005 Honda CRV (4-cylinder engine) requires careful routing around pulleys. Here's the essential procedure and diagram:
Tools & Parts
- New Belt: Honda Part # 38920-PNA-A21 or equivalent (6PK1875)
- Serpentine Belt Tool/Ratchet & 14mm Socket (for tensioner)
- Gloves & Safety Glasses
Serpentine Belt Routing Diagram (CRV 2005)
- Crankshaft Pulley (Bottom, Center) - Starting point.
- Idler Pulley (Above Crankshaft, Left) - Belts wraps clockwise around the outer edge.
- A/C Compressor Pulley (Top Left) - Belts wraps clockwise around the outer edge.
- Power Steering Pump Pulley (Top Center) - Belt wraps counter-clockwise around the inner groove.
- Water Pump / Alternator Pulley (Top Right) - Belt wraps clockwise around the outer edge (Note: Shared pulley).
- Tensioner Pulley (Right Side, Spring-Loaded) - Belt wraps clockwise around the outer edge. Route this LAST.
Installation Steps
1. Locate Tensioner: Identify the automatic belt tensioner pulley on the right side of the engine. The bolt center is the pivot point.
2. Release Tension: Insert the belt tool/ratchet into the tensioner's 14mm square drive hole. Push firmly clockwise (towards the front of the car) to move the pulley away from the belt. This compresses the spring.
3. Remove Old Belt: With tension fully released, slip the old belt off the tensioner pulley first, then route it off the remaining pulleys. Note its path.
4. Route New Belt: Place the new belt onto ALL pulleys EXCEPT the tensioner pulley, following the diagram precisely above. Ensure it's fully seated in all grooves.
5. Apply Final Tension: Push the tensioner clockwise again to its full travel. Slip the new belt onto the tensioner pulley. Slowly and carefully release the tensioner, allowing the spring to push the pulley against the belt.
6. Verify Routing: Double-check the belt is correctly seated on EVERY pulley. Cross-reference with the diagram above.
Critical Checks
Before Starting Engine:
- Visually confirm the belt sits perfectly within all pulley grooves. No ribs off the edge.
- Manually rotate the crankshaft pulley (clockwise) 2 full revolutions using a large socket/breaker bar to ensure smooth operation and no binding/slipping.
- Start the engine and observe belt operation for about 30 seconds. Listen for chirps (overtensioned) or flapping (undertensioned/misrouted). Shut off immediately if abnormal.