Variable Valve Timing Actuator: Service and Repair

VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ACTUATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [MZI-3.7]

Warning
^ Fuel vapor is hazardous. It can very easily ignite, causing serious injury and damage. Always keep sparks and flames away from fuel.
^ Fuel line spills and leakage are dangerous. Fuel can ignite and cause serious injures or death and damage. Fuel can also irritate skin and eyes. To prevent this, always complete the "Fuel Line Safety Procedure". (See BEFORE SERVICE PRECAUTION [MZI-3.7].) Before Service Precaution
^ Continuous exposure to USED engine oil has caused skin cancer in laboratory mice. Protect your skin by washing with soap and water immediately after working with engine oil.

Caution
^ The variable valve timing actuator cannot be disassembled because it is a precision unit.

Note
^ The following procedure "VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ACTUATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION" is performed after the engine and transaxle component is removed from the vehicle.

1. Drain the engine oil.
2. Remove the engine and transaxle component.

3. Secure the engine and transaxle component using a hoist and the SST.
4. Remove the dynamic chamber and throttle body as a single unit.
5. Remove the ignition coils.
6. Remove the dipstick.
7. Remove the power steering oil pump drive belt.
8. Remove the power steering oil pump.

Caution
^ When removing the timing chain and marking the timing marks on the chain, mark the camshaft timing chain as well.

9. Follow the "TIMING CHAIN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION" procedure and removal the timing chain.
10. Remove in the order indicated in the table.
11. Install in the reverse order of removal.
12. Start the engine and:
1) Inspect the runout and contact on the pulley and belt.
2) Inspect for engine oil, engine coolant, ATF, power steering fluid and fuel leakage.
3) Verify the ignition timing, idle speed and idle mixture. (See ENGINE TUNE-UP [MZI-3.7].) Testing and Inspection
4) Engine accessories operation.
13. Perform a road test.

Variable Valve Timing Actuator Component Removal Note

Caution
^ Do not rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise. The timing chains may bind, causing engine damage.

1. Turn the crankshaft clockwise so that the crankshaft keyway is in the 11 o'clock position. (This will position the No.1 cylinder at TDC.)

Note
^ Verify that there are timing marks in three locations (Yellow 1, Black 2) on the timing chain. If any timing marks are missing, mark the timing chain.
^ When marking the crankshaft sprocket side timing chain, change the mark color.
^ If replacing with a new timing chain, place alignment marks in the same positions as those prior to the replacement.

2. Mark the timing chain at the position of each timing sprocket timing mark.

Caution
^ Verify that there are timing marks in two locations on the camshaft timing chain. If any timing marks are missing, mark the camshaft timing chain.
^ If replacing with a new variable valve timing actuator, place alignment marks in the same positions as those prior to the replacement.

3. Mark the camshaft timing chain at the positions where it is aligned with each of the camshaft sprocket on both banks.

LH

4. Remove the timing chain in the following order.
1) Chain tensioner
2) Timing chain
3) Tensioner arm
4) Chain guide

5) Crankshaft sprocket

5. Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise until the keyway is in the 9 o'clock position.
6. Slowly compress the camshaft timing chain tensioner (LH) piston by hand.

7. Insert an approx. 1.0 mm (0.039 in) thin wire or paper clip into the camshaft timing chain tensioner (LH) shown in the figure to hold the tensioner piston.

8. Install the SST onto the camshafts (LH).

Note
^ The camshaft sprocket is integrated with the variable valve timing actuator and cannot be disassembled.

9. Remove the variable valve timing actuator, camshaft timing chain and the exhaust camshaft sprocket of the LH bank as a single unit.
10. Slowly compress the camshaft timing chain tensioner (RH) piston by hand.

11. Insert an approx. 1.0 mm (0.039 in) thin wire or paper clip into the camshaft timing chain tensioner (RH) shown in the figure to hold the tensioner piston.

12. Install the SST onto the camshafts (RH).

Note
^ The camshaft sprocket is integrated with the variable valve timing actuator and cannot be disassembled.

13. Remove the variable valve timing actuator, camshaft timing chain and the exhaust camshaft sprocket of the RH bank as a single unit.

Variable Valve Timing Actuator Component Installation Note
1. Align the alignment marks on the camshaft timing chain and both intake and exhaust side camshaft sprockets of both banks.

RH

2. Install the variable valve timing actuator, camshaft timing chain and the exhaust camshaft sprocket of the RH bank as a single unit.

3. Remove the retaining wire inserted into the camshaft timing chain tensioner (RH).
4. Tighten the new camshaft sprocket (RH) installation bolts using the following 4 steps.
1) Tighten to 40 N-m (4.1 kgf-m, 30 ft-lbf).
2) Loosen 360° (one full turn) in reverse order.
3) Tighten to 10 N-m (102 kgf-cm, 89 in-lbf).
4) Tighten to 90°
5. Install the variable valve timing actuator, camshaft timing chain and the exhaust camshaft sprocket of the LH bank as a single unit.

6. Remove the retaining wire inserted into the camshaft timing chain tensioner (LH).
7. Tighten the new camshaft sprocket (LH) installation bolts using the following 4 steps.
1) Tighten to 40 N-m (4.1 kgf-m, 30 ft-lbf).
2) Loosen 360° (one full turn) in reverse order.
3) Tighten to 10 N-m (102 kgf-cm, 89 in-lbf).
4) Tighten to 90°

8. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise until the keyway is in the 11 o'clock position. (This will position the No.1 cylinder at TDC.)
9. Follow the "TIMING CHAIN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION" procedure and install the timing chain.
10. Remove the SSTs installed to the camshaft components on both banks.