Serpentine Belt

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the serpentine belt on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic with the 1.5L turbocharged engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Serpentine belt × 1 — Use OEM specification - Honda 56992-RDJ-A01 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated
3. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes
4. Raise front of vehicle and secure with jack stands if additional clearance is needed for access
5. Remove engine splash shield if equipped (4-6 clips and bolts)
6. Photograph or sketch belt routing diagram for reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the serpentine belt
   From above the engine bay, locate the serpentine belt on the right side of the engine. The belt drives the alternator, A/C compressor, and water pump. Remove any upper engine covers if present by unclipping or removing cover bolts.
2. 2

   Inspect belt routing
   Verify your photo or diagram shows the complete belt path around all pulleys: crankshaft pulley (bottom), water pump pulley, A/C compressor pulley, and alternator pulley. Note the position of the automatic tensioner pulley. The belt routing may vary slightly between model years.
3. 3

   Relieve belt tension
   Using a 14mm socket and breaker bar, insert the tool into the tensioner bolt (center of the spring-loaded tensioner pulley). Rotate the tensioner clockwise to release tension on the belt. The tensioner will move approximately 15-20 degrees. Maintain pressure while removing the belt.
4. 4

   Remove serpentine belt
   While holding tension on the tensioner, slip the belt off the alternator pulley first, then carefully release the tensioner. Remove the belt from the remaining pulleys by working from top to bottom. Thread the belt out through the bottom of the engine compartment.
5. 5

   Inspect pulleys and tensioner
   With the belt removed, manually spin each pulley to check for roughness, noise, or resistance. Inspect the tensioner for proper spring tension and smooth movement. Check all pulleys for wear, scoring, or damage. If the tensioner moves freely without resistance or shows excessive play, it should be replaced.
   Torque spec

   Belt Tensioner Bolt55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

   Idler Pulley Bolt45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Inspect new belt
   Compare the new belt to the old belt for correct length and number of ribs (should be 6 ribs). Inspect the new belt for any damage from storage or shipping. The belt should be approximately 1450-1470mm in length depending on model year and equipment.
7. 7

   Install new serpentine belt
   Following your routing diagram, thread the new belt through from below. Install the belt on all pulleys EXCEPT the alternator pulley, starting with the crankshaft pulley at the bottom. Ensure the ribbed side of the belt contacts all grooved pulleys properly. The belt should sit centered in each pulley groove.
8. 8

   Engage belt on final pulley
   Using the 14mm socket and breaker bar, rotate the tensioner clockwise again to create slack. Route the belt over the alternator pulley while maintaining tension on the tensioner. Once the belt is fully seated on the alternator pulley, slowly release the tensioner to allow it to apply proper tension to the belt.
9. 9

   Verify belt installation
   Inspect the belt on all pulleys to confirm it is properly seated in the center of each groove with no misalignment. The belt should not be twisted anywhere in the routing. Manually rotate the crankshaft pulley clockwise two complete revolutions using a 19mm socket to ensure smooth operation and proper tracking. Watch for any signs of the belt jumping or misaligning on any pulley.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall upper engine covers if removed, torque cover bolts to specification
2. Reinstall engine splash shield if removed
3. Lower vehicle from jack stands if raised
4. Reconnect negative battery terminal

Verification

• Start the engine and listen for any squealing, chirping, or unusual noises from the belt area
• With engine running, verify smooth belt operation with no visible flutter or misalignment on any pulley
• Observe the belt for 30-60 seconds at idle to ensure proper tracking and tensioner function
• Turn on air conditioning and verify belt continues to run smoothly under additional load
• Recheck belt alignment after 50-100 miles of driving and verify no unusual wear patterns have developed

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