turbocajun

Well yesterday I received a quote of $1,100 to replace my timing belt/water pump from the dealer on my 2003 Pilot. As I have completed this job several times on 4 cylinder Honda cars I have decided to do it myself. I have a 2003 Pilot factory service manual and everything looks fairly straight forward until I get to the auto-tensioner.

From the photos it looks like the auto-tensioner pushes directly against the outside of the adjusting pulley with a metal to metal contact with no type of roller or anything on the auto-tensioner. The timing belt runs on the opposite side of the adjusting pulley. I don't understand how there can be a metal to metal contact and the pulley still turn freely? The tensioner is spring loaded to push against the adjusting pulley. Something just does not seem right. Can someone explain the dynamics involved here? Thanks for any and all help.