Timing Belt: Service and Repair
Removal1. Release fuel system pressure as outlined under Maintenance Procedures/Fuel System Pressure Release.
2. Remove engine undercover.
Fig. 32 Timing belt. 1.8L/4-111.9 engine:
3. Remove timing belt and covers in numbered sequence shown in Fig. 32, noting the following:
a. With tool MB990767 or equivalent in place to keep the crankshaft from turning, remove the crankshaft bolt.
Fig. 18 Aligning timing marks. 1.8L/4-111.9 engine:
b. Turn the crankshaft clockwise to align each timing mark and to set the No. 1 cylinder at compression TDC, Fig. 18.
c. Loosen the timing belt tensioner bolt.
Fig. 33 Loosening timing belt tension. 1.8L/4-111.9 engine:
d. Set a screwdriver to the timing belt tensioner and press it fully back in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 33.
e. Temporarily tighten the timing belt tensioner bolt in the slackened position.
f. Remove the timing belt. If the timing belt is to be reinstalled, use chalk to mark the flat side of the belt with an arrow indicating the direction of rotation (right turn).
Installation
Reverse the removal procedure to install and noting the following:
1. With the timing belt tensioner bolt loosened, use a screwdriver to fully turn the timing belt tensioner as close to the engine mount as possible, and then, for the time being, tighten the tensioner bolt.
Fig. 18 Aligning timing marks. 1.8L/4-111.9 engine:
2. Align each of the camshaft sprocket and the crankshaft timing marks, Fig. 18.
3. Without slackening its tension side, install the timing belt at first the crankshaft sprocket, then the water pump sprocket, then the camshaft sprocket, and lastly the tensioner pulley.
4. After installing the timing belt, apply force to turn the camshaft sprocket in the reverse direction, then recheck to be sure that the belt is fully tensioner and that each timing mark is in the proper position.
5. Set timing belt tension as follows:
a. Loosen the fixing bolt of the tensioner pulley fixed to the engine mount side by 1/4-1/2 turn and use the force of the tensioner spring to apply tension to the belt.
b. Turn the crankshaft in the proper rotation direction (right turn) for two rotations and recheck to be sure that the timing marks on each sprocket are aligned.
Fig. 34 Timing belt cover bolt installation. 1.8L/4-111.9 engine:
6. Install timing belt cover bolts in correct location as shown in Fig. 34. Bolts marked A are .72 inch long and bolts marked B are 1.18 inches long.