Timing Belt: Service and Repair
This engine is fitted with two timing belts, the camshaft timing belt and the silent shaft ``B'' belt.
CAMSHAFT TIMING BELT
Removal
1. Release fuel system pressure as outlined under ``Fuel System Pressure Release.''
2. Remove engine undercover.
Fig. 35 Camshaft timing belt. 1992 2.4L/4-143.5 engine:
3. Remove camshaft timing belt in numbered sequence shown in Fig. 35, noting the following:
a. Jack up the engine at the oil pan, then remove the engine mount bracket. When lifting the engine, use a piece of wood to help distribute the load.
Fig. 27 Aligning timing marks. 1992 2.4L/4-143.5 engine:
b. Turn the crankshaft clockwise and align the timing marks, Fig. 27.
Fig. 36 Loosening camshaft timing belt tensioner bolts. 1992 2.4L/4-143.5 engine:
c. Loosen the timing belt tensioner bolts as shown in Fig. 36.
d. Move the timing belt tensioner to the water pump side and temporarily tighten the bolt so that the tensioner doesn't return.
e. Remove the timing belt. If the timing belt is to be reused, use chalk to mark its flat side with an arrow indicating the clockwise direction.
Installation
Reverse the removal procedure to install, noting the following:
1. Install the timing belt tensioner, tensioner spring and tensioner spacer as follows:
a. With the tensioner spring free and the tensioner placed most closely to the water pump side, temporarily tighten the tensioner mounting bolts.
b. With pliers, set the tensioner spring into position.
2. Make sure that the timing marks of the of the camshaft sprocket, crankshaft sprocket and oil pump sprocket are all aligned.
3. After aligning the timing mark on the oil pump sprocket, remove the cylinder block plug and insert a Phillips screwdriver with a diameter of 8 mm and check that the screwdriver goes in 2.36 inches or more.
4. If the screwdriver will only go .79-.98 inch before it strikes against the counterbalance shaft, turn the sprocket once, realign the timing mark and check that the screwdriver goes in 2.36 inches or more. The screwdriver should not be taken out until the timing belt is installed.
5. Install the timing belt onto the crankshaft sprocket, the oil pump sprocket and the camshaft sprocket in that order, while making sure that the tension side of the belt is not slackened. If the timing belt is reused, install so that the arrow marked on it during removal points in the clockwise direction.
6. Adjust timing belt tension as follows:
a. Initially loosen the fixing bolt of the tensioner fixed to the water pump side, use the force of the tensioner spring to apply tension to the belt.
b. Recheck to be sure that the timing marks on each sprocket are aligned.
c. Turn the crankshaft clockwise by two teeth (15°) of the camshaft sprocket.
Fig. 37 Adjusting camshaft timing belt tension. 1992 2.4L/4-143.5 engine:
d. Apply force on the timing belt tensioner toward the direction of the arrow so that no portion of the belt raises out in portion A, Fig. 37, then place the belt on the camshaft sprocket such that the belt sprocket teeth are fully engaged.
e. Tighten bolts A and B, Fig. 37, in that order and fix the timing belt tensioner. If bolt B is tightened first, the timing belt tensioner will rotate with it and belt tension will be thrown out of adjustment. Always tighten the A bolt first.
f. Check to see that clearance between the outside of the belt and the cover is within the standard value of approximately .55 inches by grasping the belt at the midpoint of its tension length.
7. Install the timing belt upper and lower covers.
SILENT SHAFT ``B'' BELT
Removal
1. Remove camshaft timing belt as outlined under ``Camshaft Timing Belt, Replace.''
Fig. 38 Silent shaft timing belt. 1992 2.4L/4-143.5 engine:
2. Remove silent shaft B belt in numbered sequence shown in Fig. 38, noting the following:
Fig. 39 Crankshaft pulley holder.:
a. Hold the crankshaft pulley by using the ribbed B belt and tool MD998747 as shown in Fig. 39. The B belt may be damaged when used to move the pulley. Do not reuse a damaged belt, install a new service replacement.
b. Remove the crankshaft sprocket bolt.
c. Remove the crankshaft pulley and then the crankshaft sprocket.
d. Remove the B belt. If the belt is to be used again, use chalk to mark its flat side with an arrow to indicate clockwise travel.
Installation
Reverse the removal procedure to install, noting the following:
1. Ensure that crankshaft sprocket B and counterbalance shaft sprocket timing marks are aligned.
2. Fit timing belt B over crankshaft sprocket B and the counterbalance shaft sprocket. Ensure that there is no slack in the belt.
3. Adjust belt tension as follows:
a. Temporarily fix the B belt tensioner so that the center of the tensioner pulley is to the left and above the center of the installation bolt and that the flange is toward the front of the engine.
b. Position the tensioner so that the belt's tension side becomes taut, then tighten the bolt to fix the tensioner. When tightening the bolt, ensure that the tensioner pulley shaft does not rotate with the bolt, allowing the shaft to do so can result in an excessively taut belt. The specified tension value at the belt's tension side is .20-.28 inch.
4. Install the flange.
5. Install the crankshaft sprocket as follows:
a. Install the sprocket, then the crankshaft pulley.
b. Again using tool MD998747, hold the pulley.
c. Tighten the crankshaft sprocket bolt to specification, then remove the crankshaft pulley.