Removal and Installation

REMOVAL

NOTE:
- Before removing the belt, turn the crankshaft pulley so the No. 1 piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC).
- Inspect the water pump after removing the timing belt.
- If it is to be reused, mark the direction of rotation on the belt.
- Replace the timing belt at 105,000 miles (168,000 km) according to the maintenance schedule (normal conditions/severe conditions). If the vehicle is regularly driven in one or more of the following conditions, replace the timing belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.A.) 100,000 km (Canada).
- In very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C).
- In very low temperatures (under -20°F, -29°C).

1. Disconnect the battery negative terminal first, then the positive terminal.
2. Remove the right rear wheel/tire.





3. Remove the engine oil cooler base assembly.

NOTE: Do not disconnect the hoses.

4. Remove the strut brace.
5. Remove the intake manifold plate and top cover.
6. Remove the ignition coil covers, the injector cover and the wire harness covers.





7. Remove the ignition coils and the connectors.

NOTE:
- There are front and rear ignition coils and covers. They can be identified by the mark FF (front) or RR (rear) printed on them.
- When installing front and rear ignition coil covers, attach a rubber seal to the intake side.





8. Remove the expansion tank.

NOTE: Do not disconnect water hoses.

9. Remove the breather hose and the air cleaner housing.
10. Disconnect the alternator connector and the terminal.





11. Remove the cover, adjusting bolt, the mounting bolt and mounting nut, then remove the alternator belt and the alternator.
12. Remove the cylinder head covers.





13. Remove the two bolts from the side engine mount near the alternator bracket. Pivot the mounting bracket into the housing of the body.
14. Remove the transmission mount.





15. Install a brace under the engine, then tilt the engine approximately 5° using a jack.

NOTE: Make sure to place a cushion between the oil pan and the jack.





16. Remove the alternator bracket stiffener and dipstick/pipe.





17. Loosen the idler pulley center nut and adjusting nut, then remove the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor belt.
18. Remove the crankshaft pulley.





19. Remove the rubber seal from the adjusting bolt, then remove the middle covers and lower cover.





20. Loosen the adjusting bolt 180° turn. Push the tensioner to remove tension from the timing belt, then retighten the adjusting bolt.
21. Remove the timing belt from the pulleys.

INSTALLATION
Install the timing belt in the reverse order of removal; Only key points are described here.

NOTE: Clean the middle and lower covers before installation.





1. Set the timing belt drive pulley so that the No. 1 piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC). Align the Triangle mark on the teeth side of the timing belt drive pulley to the Downward pointer on the oil pump.





2. Set the front camshaft pulleys so that the No. 1 piston is at TDC. Align the TDC marks on the front exhaust camshaft pulley and front intake camshaft pulley to the pointer on the back cover.





3. Set the rear camshaft pulleys so that the No. 1 piston is at TDC. Align the TDC mark on the rear intake camshaft pulley to the pointer on the back cover. Align the rear exhaust camshaft pulley one half tooth clockwise past TDC.
4. Install the timing belt tightly in the sequence shown.
(1) Timing belt drive pulley (crankshaft) -> (2) Adjusting pulley -> (3) Front exhaust camshaft pulley -> (4) Front intake camshaft pulley -> (5) Water pump pulley -> (6) Rear intake camshaft pulley -> (7) Rear exhaust camshaft pulley.

NOTE: Make sure the timing belt drive pulley and camshaft pulleys are at TDC.





5. Tension the timing belt between the pulleys in the sequence A to E as shown below.
6. Adjust the timing belt.
7. Install the lower cover and middle covers.
8. Install the crankshaft pulley, then tighten the pulley bolt.





9. Check the crankshaft pulley and the camshaft pulleys at TDC.

NOTE: To check the camshaft, try to insert 5.0 mm pin punches as shown when the camshaft is at TDC.

10. If a camshaft is not positioned at TDC, remove the timing belt and adjust the positioning following the procedure, then reinstall the timing belt.
11. After installation, adjust the tension of each belt.
- See alternator belt tension adjustment.
- See A/C compressor belt tension adjustment.