Ok...
Thanks man, that makes me feel more confident about ordering it. I'll just order the whole piece that way that knocks out BOTH pulleys and the tension not being correct, right?!!?

 

I would first verify spec. Check with the engine off, belt loaded. Then turn the engine on and check it again. If the alignment moved noticeably from the two marks then definitely replace the auto tensioner. If it didn't, it might be worth it to replace just the pulleys.

 

I sure will...thanks Majofo...very much, trust me, it is appreciated.
If that is the case it would just be #3 and #5 in the image above?

 

Ok, just went back out with a flashlight and I can't see where the spots line up. I think I'm going to be prudent here and go ahead and order the whole assembly. If I order the pulleys alone and no tensioner...and then I need the tensioner I'll feel pretty stupid. I'd rather fix it all in one shot knowing this is a thing that other members have had to fix too.

Was thinking to replace the belt too but mine is in good condition, no cracks or anything. What I DID do, like a moron, was yesterday while troubleshooting I forgot to put PS reservoir back on it's mount so I carved a nice chunk out of the side of it with the pulley while driving today. Luckily, it didn't go thru and is not leaking.

J.

 

many regulars here have done that as well..

 

You don't say...

 

Okay, better late than never but here's the deal:

First, the horrible noise only ocurred twice, when my wife was driving, when the engine was cold (first run of the day).

So I replaced said o-ring (see my earlier post for part number).

It was easy. As many have already said, be careful not to spill ps fluid on the drive belts. I removed about 6 oz. of the nasty brown ps fluid from the reservoir first, then used a 10mm box end wrench to get to the o-ring. This one is BLACK on the RDX. But the setup is just like the TL.

The old o-ring looked pretty good, perhaps a small amount of distortion. With the new o-ring in place, I gently tightened the 10mm bolt to 8 ft. lbs. Then I topped off the reservior with new Honda fluid. I elected not to flush the system only because of time constraints.

The o-ring cost .63 and 3 bottles of ps fluid from the Honda dealer brought the total to around $13.

Thanks all for some very helpful info.

Cheers,
John

 

By the way, my RDX is a 2007 w/ 53k on the odometer.

 

So it worked?!

Glad this helped out other communities.. If you took pics you should post up on the RDX side.

 

and it's members like you that make this site what it is...
awesome.
Thanks for sharing man...
I have my fingers crossed on the tensioner thing. I went back and forth on ordering just pulleys...but I knew being a cheapskate now would probably lead to more work later. Opted for a new belt and entire tensioner assembly. I'll be so relieved when my engine is quiet again!

 

Just part of what makes this site great.. Keep us updated.

 

Such great info thanks!

 

Thanks So much for making this thread cheap fix...worked out great ...The old o-ring was black so i hope it was the right one i took out ?

 

It likely is, the other one is not as easy to get to

 

Thanks bro, saved me $300. LOL

 

You're the best.:gheyhug:

Seriously though, after checking the inlet hoses and clamps I would've already bought a new powersteering pump by now. So thanks. I owe you $300 in beer next time you're out this way (or in Vegas...).

 

This is awesome! I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

 

I had this problem for a while and I thought replacing the PSP, my friend sended me a link of this thread I looked at it yesterday couldn't believe that this can work, so I went to the dealership I made it within the % minutes before their closing time, I bought 2 o-rings just in case 97 Cents a peice LOL, went to my mechanics home he did everything in exactly 10 minutes I went home, woke up in the morning and I live in NY Brooklyn it's cold out here, I started the car... BOOM! no more sound I couldn't believe it :-) Thank You Majofo!

 

Glad it worked out for you guys!



Let's hit up Vegas where the drinks are free.. We'll let our savings ride on the roulette table.

 

omfg. thank you sooooOoOOOOoo fucking much. was worried I had to spend hundreds of dolllars! D:

 

I just did this and it was exactly as you described. Very Easy....10 minutes or less
THANK YOU Majofo!!!!!!

 

i just started hearing the whine a few days ago when it started to get below 40°, since this thread was here it was no issue to figure out the problem. I went online and looked for the price (it was 63 cents) and i also called the local acura dealership to see if they had the part in stock, and ask them the price (it was in stock and they said 63 cents). I went yesterday afternoon to go get the part and the parts guy was rude as hell. He said "how can i help you", i then said "i need a part". The next logical question from him should have been what part do you need, but i did not get that, he then asked me "how can i help you, and i repeated the same thing as i said the first time. finally he askes what part, so i tell him P.S. pump inlet o-ring, and he wants to look up the part, i tell him that i alredy have the part number. He goes and gets it, and rings it up and he rung it up as 98 cents. I was like "no, i have called and went online and the part is 63 cents, then i guess his boss told him to look at it again, and it comes back as 63 cents. I know its only 35 cents but its the point of the matter, dont try and get over on someone no matter what, that makes me want to never use that stealership again. BTW, its pauly acura in highland park, il on 41. The moral of this, always do a price check on things before you go and get them. I say that because i see how many different prices people have paid for this part and that is not right. i dont car if its 1 cent or 100 dollars, its about the stealerships being honest about costs.

Also before i forget, i replaced the o-ring and the whine is gone, YAY!!!!

 

The parts guys work on commission...watch the code they type in after they find your part.the standard is a pretty good markup...they can drop it to 20% above invoice...the cheapest they go for friends is 10% above

 

Very true. My local dealer will now match or beat anything on acuraoemparts.com. They seem like they're hurting for business. I'm going to pick up my $250 timing belt set today.

 

Just replaced the O ring, easy to do. I hope tomorrow morning the whine is gone

 

+1 on this. Super easy to do and 100% fixed my problem.

Make sure you cover the drive belt from getting power steering fluid on it!

 

Replace the O-ring and it didn't help. Damn .66 cents down the drain

 

Read this entire thread...you probably have one more o-ring to replace and you should be good.

 

I live in the Los Angeles area and for the past 2 weeks it's been pretty chilly in the mornings and that's around the same time I started noticing the whining noise and then it went away as the day progressed. I will try the DIY fix and post my results. I have a 2005 TL with approx. 76K miles.

 

Fellas,
IF it AIN'T the o ring to the power steering pump...listen closely to where the whine is coming from. If it is not the pump...and not the alternator...
Change the entire tensioner assemblly and do a new belt. Took me about 30 minutes and HOLY MOTHER OF EUREKA...
Sound is gone...I love this place...I really do.
Thanks again to everyone for guidance, especially Majofo.

 

FYI: this fixed it for my '06 TL 6-speed with 58.6K on the clock. Purchased the part from the Honda dealer for $1.52, the procedure took 5 minutes.

 

Sweet!

 

Can you post up a little video clip?

It very well could be another air leak other than the inlet or belt related. If it is indeed the PS pump making the noise and resealing it doesn't work, you're more than likely going to need to buy a new pump down the line.

 

For starters, pull the belt off and start it up (for no more than half a minute). If the sound is still there, it's nothing that the belt spins.

 

Hi guys, I'm actually in the process of replacing he 0-ring at this very moment. I just had a quick question regarding the PS reservoir cap; when I first removed the plastic cover that goes over the PS reservoir, I noticed the cap was still on but there was PS fluid that had spilled out and onto the connection hoses. Fortunately nothing on the belts. I'm wondering if this problem is normal, or should I just continue with replacing the O-ring and refill the reservoir to normal levels and see if it was a one time thing (spill.) Any ideas or suggestions?

 

The cap is not a tight enough seal to keep fluid from coming out...it just sits on there because under normal circumstances the fluid would never get to it. Just clean it up and you're alright.

 

It worked! Thank you so much!! 94 cents later my baby is sounding normal again

 

As Rockstar said, the cap won't seal fluid in. If you overfilled it or if the fluid was severely aerated due to the bad o-ring the level could have risen to the cap and caused the mess.

 

thanks for step by step!

 

Thanks Majofo hope to fix this problem tomorrow been having this problem for a while!