Doing the timing belt on a 2008 Honda Odyssey J35.

What goes with the timing belt on the J35:

• Water pump – Replace it. It's driven by the timing belt and failure means another teardown.
• Timing belt tensioner and idler pulleys – Replace both idlers and the hydraulic tensioner.
• Camshaft and crankshaft oil seals – Inspect and replace if leaking.
• VTEC oil pressure switch (if equipped) – Check for leaks.

Verifying timing before reassembly:

1. Crankshaft pulley – Align the T mark on the pulley with the 0° pointer on the timing cover. Use a flashlight to confirm the mark on the inner ring aligns.

1. Camshaft sprockets – Remove the cylinder head covers (4 bolts each). The front cam sprocket (intake side) has a T mark that must align with the dot on the back of the sprocket pointing straight up. The rear cam sprocket (exhaust side) should have its keyway at the 12 o'clock position.

1. VTEC gears – Ensure the VTEC actuator on the intake cam is properly engaged (splined correctly).

1. Double-check – Rotate the engine by hand (using a socket on the crank pulley bolt) two full turns and re-check all marks. If they don’t re-align, the timing is off.

Torque specs:

• Crankshaft pulley bolt: 180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
• Camshaft sprocket bolts: 25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
• Tensioner bolts: 25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

If you're not confident in the alignment, don't start the engine. Recheck everything. Incorrect timing on the J35 can bend valves.

Replace with the belt:

• Water pump (driven by timing belt; OEM Aisin or Honda only)
• Timing belt tensioner assembly (hydraulic)
• Idler pulley(s)
• Camshaft seals (2), crankshaft seal
• Valve cover gasket set (spark plug tube seals included)
• Drive belts (alternator, PS, AC) — inspect/replace

Coolant: Drain/refill with Honda Type 2 (blue) premix. Burp per service manual (bleed bolt on thermostat housing).

Verify timing before reassembly:

1. Crank at TDC #1 compression: White mark on crank pulley aligned to block pointer. Both cam pulleys: “UP” marks at 12 o’clock, single punch marks aligned with cylinder head surface.
2. Install belt counterclockwise from crank → rear cam → front cam → water pump → tensioner. Keep tension side tight.
3. Set tensioner: Compress hydraulic rod slowly in vise, insert pin, mount. Release pin after belt is on.
4. Rotate crank 2 full turns clockwise to TDC again. Re-verify all three marks.
5. Check valve clearance (cold): Intake 0.18–0.22 mm, Exhaust 0.23–0.27 mm. Confirms cam-to-crank phasing.
6. No binding when turning by hand (19 mm crank bolt). If resistance → stop, re-check.

Torque specs (critical):

• Crank pulley bolt: 181 N·m (133 ft-lb) — use breaker bar + flywheel holder
• Cam bolts: 58 N·m (43 ft-lb)
• Tensioner bolts: 22 N·m (16 ft-lb)

If marks don’t line up after 2 turns: Do not start. Re-time. Bent valves likely if forced.

Ref: Honda S/M 08-09 Odyssey, Section 6 (Timing Belt), 11 (Valve Clearance).