Timing Belt: Service and Repair

***UPDATED BY TSB EM88010, APRIL 1988****

Timing Belt Components, Exploded View:

EXPLODED VIEW OF TIMING BELT COMPONENTS
Refer to the above illustration for removal and installation details, if necessary.

PREPARATION

- Remove right front wheel.
- Remove lower engine and right fender shrouds
- Drain coolant from radiator.






REMOVE ACCESSORIES AND TIMING BELT COVERS
- Cruise control actuator, if necessary.
- Harness and connectors as necessary.
- All exterior drive belts.
- Compressor drive belt idler bracket.
- Water pump pulley.
- Upper radiator hose
- Crank pulley.
- Upper and lower outer timing belt covers.

REMOVE TIMING BELT

Timing Belt Alignment Marks:

- Temporarily install crank pulley bolt into crankshaft. Rotate crankshaft to #1 TDC. Refer to alignment marks.

Loosening Tensioner Pulley:

Retracting Spring Tensioner:

- Loosen tensioner idler pulley nut and retract pulley using hexagon wrench. Tighten pulley nut then remove timing belt.

CHECK

- Condition of timing belt idler pulley. If there is any roughness to bearing or pulley surface, replace it.
- Water pump for leakage or bearing problems. If any problems are found, replace the pump.

Timing Marks Without Belt Installed:

INSTALLING TIMING BELT
- Verify that engine is still at #1 TDC.

Tensioner Spring Installation:

- If the timing belt idler was removed, replace it noting the position of the wrap-up spring. If the spring stud has to be replaced, be sure to apply locking thread sealant to the threads.
- Retract idler pulley and temporarily tighten lock nut.

Timing Marks Viewed With Belt Installed:

CAUTION: The timing belt is directional. Be sure to install the belt with the "arrow" facing the front of the engine.

- Position the new timing belt by aligning the white marks of the belt with the punchmarks on the sprockets.






SETTING TIMING BELT TENSION
- Loosen the tensioner lock nut and rotate tensioner 70-80 degrees clockwise. Temporarily tighten lock nut.
- Turn the crankshaft clockwise at least two full times and position on #1 TDC again.

Setting Timing Belt Tension:

- Push on the timing belt, mid-way between right cam sprocket and the tensioner, with a force of 22 lbs. (10 Kg).
- While pushing, loosen the tensioner lock nut. This will allow the tensioner to have the proper initial pre-load on the belt.

NOTE: The next step requires the use of a 0.0138 in. (0.35 mm) feeler gauge that is no more than 0.5 in wide.

Setting Timing Belt Tension:

- Set the feeler gauge between the belt and the bottom of the tensioner. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise about 2.5 teeth. This will bring the feeler gauge directly between the belt and the pulley.
- Tighten the tensioner lock nut.
- Turn the crankshaft slightly to release the feeler gauge.
- Turn the crankshaft clockwise at least two times to set the belt.

Final Timing Belt Tension Check:

- Verify the belt has 22 lbs. (10 Kg.) of tension. If not, retrace your steps.

Timing Belt Cover Bolt Locations And ID:

INSTALLATION OF BELT COVERS AND ACCESSORIES
- Installation is the reverse of removal. Note the following:
- Be sure to get timing cover bolts correctly placed. Refer to the image.
- Torque crank pulley bolt to 90-98 lbs/ft (123-132 Nm).