Timing Belt: Service and Repair

Components

CAUTION:
^ Do not bend or twist timing belt.
^ After removing timing belt, do not turn crankshaft and camshaft separately because valves will strike piston heads.
^ Make sure that timing belt, camshaft sprocket, crankshaft sprocket and belt tensioner are clean and free from oil and water.
^ Installation should be carried out when engine is cold.

Removal
1. Remove the engine under cover.
2. Drain the engine coolant from the radiator.

CAUTION: Do not spill coolant on the engine drive belts.

3. Remove the radiator.
4. Remove the engine cooling fan and water pump pulley.
5. Remove the following drive belts:
^ Power steering pump drive belt
^ Compressor drive belt
^ Alternator drive belt
^ Supercharger drive belt (if equipped)

6. Remove all of the spark plugs.
7. Remove the distributor protector.
8. Remove the compressor drive belt idler bracket.
9. Disconnect the fresh-air intake tube from the rocker cover.
10. Disconnect the water hose from the thermostat housing.

Timing Marks:

11. Set the No. 1 piston at TDC on the compression stroke by rotating the crankshaft.
12. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt.
13. Remove the crankshaft pulley using a suitable puller.





14. Remove the front upper and lower timing belt covers.





15. Align the timing belt sprockets to the timing marks on the engine.
^ Align the punchmark on the LH camshaft sprocket with the punchmark on the timing belt rear cover.
^ Align the punchmark on the crankshaft sprocket with the alignment mark on the oil pump housing.
^ Temporarily install the crankshaft pulley bolt on the crankshaft, to rotate the crankshaft.





16. Loosen the timing belt tensioner nut, rotate the tensioner, then remove the timing belt.

Inspection








Visually check the condition of the timing belt. Replace the timing belt as necessary.

BELT TENSIONER AND TENSIONER SPRING





1. Check the belt tensioner for smooth turning.
2. Check the condition of the tensioner spring.
3. Replace the tensioner as necessary.

Installation





1. Confirm that the No. 1 piston is set at TDC on the compression stroke.





2. Install the tensioner and tensioner spring.
^ Once the stud is removed, apply a locking sealant to the threads of the stud on the cylinder block side before installing.





3. Turn the tensioner fully outward with a hexagon wrench, and temporarily tighten the lock nut.





4. Set the timing belt when the engine is cold.
1. Point the arrow on timing belt toward the front of the belt cover.
2. Align the white lines on the timing belt with the punchmarks on the camshaft sprockets and crankshaft sprocket.

Number of timing belt teeth for installation (reference):





5. Install the remaining parts in the reverse order of removal.