Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
MDX, 3.2CL & 3.2TL
2004 Acura 3.5RLSECTION MDX, 3.2CL & 3.2TL
- Ensure cylinder head temperature is less than 100°F (38°C). On 3.2CL and 3.2TL, remove strut brace. On all models, remove ignition coil cover and intake manifold cover. On 3.2CL and 3.2TL Type S models, remove water bypass hoses. Disconnect Traction Control System (TCS) control valve actuator and TCS control valve angle sensor connector from TCS control valve assembly. Remove bolt securing TCS control valve bracket. On all models, remove Evaporative Emission (EVAP) control canister hose, breather tube, vacuum hose and intake air duct. Loosen lock nuts and remove throttle and cruise control cables.
- Remove brake booster vacuum hose, vacuum hoses, and PCV hose. Remove breather pipe and water bypass hose. Remove power steering hose clamp. Disconnect intake manifold runner control (IMRC) actuator connector. Remove IMRC actuator. Remove 2 bolts from wire harness holder. Remove Intake Air Temperature (IAT), Idle Air Control (IAC), Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) and Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor connectors. On MDX, also disconnect EVAP canister purge valve connector. On all models, remove wire harness clamps and holders. Move wire harness out of way. Remove ignition coils if necessary. Remove upper intake cover and intake manifold. Remove cylinder head covers.
- Rotate crankshaft clockwise until cylinder No. 1 is at TDC. Cylinder No. 1 TDC mark on camshaft sprocket should be aligned with pointer on timing belt cover. Loosen valve adjusting screw lock nuts and adjust valve clearances on cylinder No. 1. See VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT table. Tighten valve adjusting screw lock nut to 14 ft. lbs. (20 N.m) and recheck valve clearance. Repeat adjustment if necessary.
- Rotate crankshaft clockwise until cylinder No. 4 is at TDC. Cylinder No. 4 TDC mark on camshaft sprocket should be aligned with pointer on timing belt cover. Loosen valve adjusting screw lock nuts and adjust valve clearances on cylinder No. 4. Tighten valve adjusting screw lock nut to 14 ft. lbs. (20 N.m) and recheck valve clearance. Repeat adjustment if necessary.
- Rotate crankshaft clockwise until cylinder No. 2 is at TDC. Cylinder No. 2 TDC mark on camshaft sprocket should be aligned with pointer on timing belt cover. Loosen valve adjusting screw lock nuts and adjust valve clearances on cylinder No. 2. Tighten valve adjusting screw lock nut to 14 ft. lbs. (20 N.m) and recheck valve clearance. Repeat adjustment if necessary.
- Rotate crankshaft clockwise until cylinder No. 5 is at TDC. Cylinder No. 5 TDC mark on camshaft sprocket should be aligned with pointer on timing belt cover. Loosen valve adjusting screw lock nuts and adjust valve clearances on cylinder No. 5. Tighten valve adjusting screw lock nut to 14 ft. lbs. (20 N.m) and recheck valve clearance. Repeat adjustment if necessary.
- Rotate crankshaft clockwise until cylinder No. 3 is at TDC. Cylinder No. 3 TDC mark on camshaft sprocket should be aligned with pointer on timing belt cover. Loosen valve adjusting screw lock nuts and adjust valve clearances on cylinder No. 3. Tighten valve adjusting screw lock nut to 14 ft. lbs. (20 N.m) and recheck valve clearance. Repeat adjustment if necessary.
- Rotate crankshaft clockwise until cylinder No. 6 is at TDC. Cylinder No. 6 TDC mark on camshaft sprocket should be aligned with TDC pointer on timing belt cover. Loosen valve adjusting screw lock nuts and adjust valve clearances on cylinder No. 6. Tighten valve adjusting screw lock nut to 14 ft. lbs. (20 N.m) and recheck valve clearance. Repeat adjustment if necessary. After adjusting valves, reinstall removed components and ensure crankshaft pulley bolt is tightened to 181 ft. lbs. (245 N.m).
VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT
| Application (1) | In. (mm) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDX, 3.2CL & 3.2TL | ||||||
| Intake | 0.008-0.009 (0.20-0.24) | |||||
| Exhaust | 0.011-0.013 (0.28-0.32) | |||||
| RSX (K20A2) | ||||||
| Intake | 0.008-0.010 (0.21-0.25) | |||||
| Exhaust | 0.010-0.011 (0.25-0.28) | |||||
| RSX (K20A3) | ||||||
| Intake | 0.008-0.010 (0.21-0.25) | |||||
| Exhaust | 0.011-0.013 (0.28-0.32) | |||||
| 3.5RL | (2) | |||||
|
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RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.