2012AcuraCPB

hi all,
I'm new to the site and currently working on replacing the timing belt on my 2012 TL SH-awd.
After dealing with the crank bolt from hell and successfully remove it, the timing belt is giving me a hard time.
I started the belt from the crank shaft as Honda Guide, route the belt to the front cam shaft and align it with the mark from the old timing belt. It matches perfectly...






i also put a zip tie to hold it in place..then i route the belt under the water pump to the rear cam shaft..
This is where the timing belt acts up, it will not go on the rear camshaft tight.. there is always a little slack between the water pump and the rear cam shaft..



If i try to tight it up, the belt won't go on....Besides, i also notice the belt tensioner pulley already hits the hydraulic tensioner..there is almost no slack in that area..
I check everything: idle pulley, cam shafts, belt tensioner, tensioner pulley a few times but nothing is out of ordinary..
No jumping tooth or skipping on TDC locations.. The belt just won't go on..
I did try to put the old timing belt back on to see where the problem was.. it's the same scenario, it won't go on the 2nd cam..
I'm so frustrated.. any help is appreciated..
Thanks..

2012AcuraCPB

I got it..
The trick is using tie wrap on the 1st cam (close to the radiator) to hold the timing belt.
Using 17mm wrench to move the 2nd cam (close to the firewall) one tooth clockwise (forward). NOTE: THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, THE CAM CAN ADVANCE FORWARD TO CRUSH YOUR HAND SO BE CAREFUL.
then place the timing belt on the cam and move it back (Counterclockwise). This will remove the slack between the water pump pulley and 2nd cam.

After that just run the timing belt down to the pulley tensioner. This time, i have a lot more slack and easily wrap the timing belt around the tensioner.
Otherwise, there is no way to install the timing belt on TDC.
Pull the grenade pin to release the tensioner and turn the crank shaft 2 times to verify all the marks are line up.
Start the car up and it sounds perfect..I'm so happy..
Hope this helps someone else when they are doing their timing belt replacement..