Timing Belt: Service and Repair

Fig. 18 Timing Belt & Camshaft Sprocket:

Fig. 19 Timing Belt & Camshaft Sprocket:

CAUTIONS: 1993 and 1994-96 timing belts are non-interchangeable. 1993 belt design was changed from a square or trapezoid type to a half circle or round type for 1994-96, This design extends service life of timing belt from 60,000 miles to 105,000 miles. Failure to install correct timing belt may result in a "whining" noise from engine compartment after replacement.
Do not interchange individual components (timing belts, sprockets or tensioner spring assembles) between 1993 and 1994-96 model vehicles. These parts are interchangeable as a set only.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect battery ground cable, then drain coolant.
2. Remove accessory drive belts.
3. Remove A/C compressor drive belt tensioner attaching bolts, then remove tensioner.
4. Remove upper radiator hose bracket attaching bolt.
5. Loosen two upper radiator hose clamps, then remove upper hose and bracket.
6. Remove coolant bypass hose between thermostat housing and intake manifold coolant outlet.
7. Disconnect main wiring harness from upper timing belt cover, remove seven upper timing belt cover attaching bolts, then remove upper timing belt cover.
8. Raise and support vehicle.
9. Remove righthand front wheel assembly and splash shield.
10. Loosen alternator adjusting bolt, then remove alternator belt.
11. Loosen water pump and power steering pump adjusting bolt, then remove drive belt.
12. Remove water pump and crankshaft pulley.
13. Remove five lower timing belt cover attaching bolts, then remove lower cover.

Aligning Timing Marks:

14. Align timing marks between camshaft sprockets and rear timing belt cover, ensure timing marks between crankshaft timing belt sprocket and oil pump housing align, Fig. 11.
15. If timing belt is to be reused, mark direction of rotation.
16. Loosen timing belt tensioner nut, then remove timing belt.

INSTALLATION

1. Using suitable Allen wrench, turn timing belt tensioner clockwise until timing belt tensioner spring is fully extended, then temporarily torque timing belt tensioner nut to 32---43 ft. lbs.
2. Install timing belt. If installing new timing belt, ensure timing belt white lines align with rear timing belt cover timing marks and timing belt arrow is pointing away from engine block. If reusing timing belt, ensure removal directional arrow is pointing in correct direction.
3. There should be 40 timing belt teeth between left and righthand camshaft sprockets and 43 teeth between lefthand camshaft sprocket and crankshaft timing belt sprocket.
4. Using suitable Allen wrench, hold timing belt tensioner, then loosen tensioner nut.
5. Allow timing belt tensioner to tension belt.
6. Using suitable Allen wrench, turn timing belt tensioner 70---80° clockwise, then torque timing belt tensioner nut to 32---43 ft. lbs.
7. Rotate crankshaft clockwise twice and align No. 1 piston to compression stroke TDC.
8. Apply 22 lbs. of force on timing belt between righthand camshaft sprocket and timing belt tensioner.

Installing Feeler Gauge Between Timing Belt & Tensioner:

9. Using suitable Allen wrench, hold timing belt tensioner, then loosen tensioner nut and adjust timing belt as follows:
a. Install suitable .0138 inch and .500 inch wide feeler gauge between timing belt tensioner, Fig. 12.
b. Turn crankshaft clockwise to position feeler gauge between timing belt tensioner and timing belt.
c. Torque timing belt tensioner nut to 32---48 ft. lbs.
d. Turn crankshaft clockwise to remove feeler gauge.
10. Rotate crankshaft sprocket clockwise twice and align No. 1 piston to TDC compression stroke.
11. Apply 22 lbs. of force on timing belt between right and lefthand crankshaft sprockets.
12. Using suitable tool, measure timing belt deflection, .51---.59 inch should be indicated, if not as indicated, repeat step 9, if deflection is still not as indicated, belt may be stretched and have to be replaced.
13. Install lower timing belt cover.
14. Install crankshaft and water pump pulley.
15. Install righthand splash shield and wheel assembly.
16. Lower vehicle.
17. Install upper timing cover.
18. Install main wiring harness to upper timing belt cover.
19. Install coolant bypass hose between thermostat housing and intake manifold coolant outlet.
20. Install upper radiator hose, then upper radiator hose bracket.
21. Install A/C compressor drive belt tensioner, then install and adjust accessory drive belts.
22. Connect battery ground cable and fill cooling system.
23. Check and adjust ignition timing as required.