Performance Water Pump & Timing Belt Kit for Acura RL (2005-2012) 3.5L 3.7L

Complete Timing Belt & Water Pump Service Kit for 2005-2012 Acura RL (KB1/KB2)

What it Does: The Performance Water Pump & Timing Belt Kit replaces critical wear items across the valvetrain and cooling systems on the 2005-2012 Acura RL to maintain precise engine timing and prevent catastrophic interference valve damage.

The Stock Acura RL Valvetrain & Cooling Vulnerabilities

The factory J35A8 and J37A2 engines found in the KB1 and KB2 chassis are interference configurations where timing failure directly results in valve-to-piston contact. Factory timing belts suffer from structural fatigue, tooth shearing, and elastomer breakdown caused by severe underhood heat cycles. Concurrently, factory hydraulic tensioners gradually weep silicone damping fluid, allowing harmonic belt slap and skipped timing under sudden engine deceleration. Stock water pump mechanical face seals dry out and weep coolant from the bearing cavity, compromising shaft stability and causing premature bearing seizure that can shred the drive belt.

The Engineering Solution

This service kit upgrades the critical driveline interface with a high-tensile HNBR elastomer timing belt reinforced with synthetic tensile cords to resist stretch, tooth shear, and high-temperature thermal degradation. The die-cast aluminum water pump incorporates a unitized mechanical shaft seal and balanced impeller to eliminate high-RPM coolant cavitation and weeping. Included matched idler and tensioner pulleys feature precision-ground races packed with synthetic high-temperature bearing grease, while the OE-spec hydraulic tensioner maintains exact dynamic pressure on the belt guide. Premium fluoroelastomer camshaft and crankshaft seals complete the kit to isolate the belt chamber from engine oil saturation.

What's Included

• 1x Timing Belt (OEM 14400-RCA-A01)
• 1x Idler Pulley Roller (OEM 14550-RCA-A01)
• 1x Timing Belt Tensioner Pulley (OEM 14510-RCA-A01)
• 1x Water Pump and Pre-Formed Gasket (OEM 19200-RDV-J01)
• 1x Hydraulic Timing Belt Tensioner (OEM 14520-RCA-A01)
• 2x Front Camshaft Oil Seals (OEM 91213-R70-A02 / 91213-RKG-003)
• 1x Front Crankshaft Oil Seal (OEM 91212-R70-A02 / 91212-5MR-A01)
• 1x Serpentine Accessory Drive Belt (OEM 38920-RCA-A03 / 56992-R70-A01 / 56992-RV0-A05)

Technical Specifications

Compatibility

• 2005-2008 Acura RL 3.5L V6 (J35A8 / KB1)
• 2009-2012 Acura RL 3.7L V6 (J37A2 / KB2)

Frequently Asked Questions & Fitment Warnings

Does this fit the KB1/KB2 RL?

Yes, this is a direct fit for the 2005-2012 Acura RL equipped with the J35A8 3.5L or J37A2 3.7L J-series V6 engine.

Is a specialized crankshaft holder tool required for this installation?

Yes, removing the high-torque factory harmonic balancer bolt on J-series engines requires a dedicated 50mm hex crank pulley holding tool and heavy-duty impact socket.

The Acura Caliber

Built for the flagship luxury platform, this timing and cooling assembly restores factory VTEC synchronization, broad dynamic torque delivery, and high-RPM stability across the entire rev band.