Timing Belt: Service and Repair

Components

CAUTION:
^ Do not bend or twist the timing belt.
^ After removing the timing belt, do not turn the crankshaft and camshaft separately because the valves will strike the piston heads.
^ Make sure that the timing belt, camshaft sprocket, crankshaft sprocket, and belt tensioner are clean and free of oil and water.
^ Installation should be carried out when the 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 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 A/C compressor drive belt idler bracket.
9. Remove the fresh-air intake tube from the rocker cover.
10. Remove 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 LH camshaft sprocket with the punchmark on the timing belt rear cover.
^ Align the punchmark on crankshaft sprocket with the alignment mark on the oil pump housing.
^ Temporarily install the crankshaft pulley bolt on the crankshaft so the crankshaft can be rotated.





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

Inspection








Visually check the condition of timing belt. Replace if any abnormality is found.

BELT TENSIONER AND TENSIONER SPRING





1. Check the belt tensioner for smooth turning.
2. Check the condition of the tensioner spring.
3. Replace the belt 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 locking sealant to the threads of the stud on the cylinder block side before installation.





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





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





Number of timing belt teeth for installation (reference):

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