2G Timing Belt VFAQ

TECHNICAL
		SUBJECT:
SERVICE		Camshaft Timing/Balance Belt
		Replacement/Adjustment
BULLETIN		Service Procedure

MODELS:

1995 - 1996 Eclipse/Talon

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this bulletin is to emphasize the importance of performing the timing belt replacement and camshaft timing in the proper sequence to assure complete and satisfactory service.

REPAIR PROCEDURE:

Camshaft Timing Belt Removal:

It may be convenient to raise the vehicle to a level where work can be performed through the wheel well and over the top of the fender.

1. Remove lower left engine compartment splash shield.
   
   
2. Support engine with engine support fixture, tool #C-4852 or #7137, and remove the left engine mount and bracket (Figure 1). (The engine may be supported with a jack on the oil pan, but make SURE to place it so that the force is distributed as widely as possible, and PAD the jack with several layers of cardboard or heavy cloth to avoid bending the oil pan.)
   
   

   Figure 1

3. Loosen the water pump pulley bolts. Remove the alternator/water pump drive belts, and the power steering drive belt.
   
   Important: Loosen water pump pulley bolts before removing belt.
   
   
4. Remove water pump pulley.
   
   
5. Remove the AC tensioner pulley bracket and the A/C belt.
   
   
6. Remove crankshaft pulley.
   
   
7. Remove the upper and 2 lower timing belt covers (Figure 2).
   
   


Figure 2

8. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and align the timing marks so as to bring the No. 1 piston to the Top-Dead-Center (TDC) position of the compression stroke.
   
   Caution: Rotate the crankshaft in a clockwise direction.
   
   The camshaft sprocket timing marks must be aligned together (left sprocket at the 3 o'clock and right sprocket at the 9 o'clock positions) (Figure 3).
   
   

   Figure 3

Both camshaft sprocket timing marks must be in line with the top surface of the cylinder head (Figure 4). [A straight edge (ruler) laid across the center of the cam shaft attaching bolts will help you to better see and align the timing marks.] The crankshaft and oil pump sprockets must also be aligned with their respective timing marks (Figure 4).

NOTE: Crankshaft may need to be rotated up to six turns before all sprockets are properly aligned and the rear balance shaft is in phase, due to the oil pump-to-balance shaft gear ratio.



Figure 4

9. Remove rubber plug from inner timing belt cover and screw special tool no. MD-998738 (contact Miller Tool for this tool - 800-801-5420, http://www.spxmiller.com/) into the engine left support bracket until it makes contact with the tensioner arm (Figures 5 & 6). (Fig 6 is less accurate, it is a 1G diagram. Fig 7 is a more accurate representation of the tensioner pulley.)
   
   

   Figure 5

   

   Figure 6

10. Loosen the tensioner pulley center bolt (Figure 7).
    
    

    Figure 7

11. Compress the Auto Tensioner push rod by SLOWLY rotating special tool no. MD998738 until hole in Auto Tensioner push rod aligns with the hole in the Auto Tensioner body (Figure 6).
    
    NOTE: PUSH ROD MAY NEED TO BE ROTATED IF HOLE IN ROD IS NOT VERTICALLY IN LINE WITH HOLE IN HOUSING.
    
    
12. Insert a 1/16 inch allen wrench or similar pin {1.4 mm (.055 in.) in diameter} into the aligned holes to hold the push rod in the reset (pinned) position. Back off special tool MD998738 once auto tensioner is in the reset position (Figure 8).
    
    

    Figure 8

    
    
13. INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF IT SHOWS SIGNS OF OIL LEAKAGE.
    
    Remove the tensioner from the engine. Apply 98-196N (22-44lbs) force to the auto tensioner by pressing it against a solid surface (cylinder block, etc), and measure the movement of the push rod
    
    

    Standard Value: Within 1mm (.04in)
    A: Length when it is not depressed	12mm (.47in)
    B: Length when it is depressed	11mm (.43in)
    A-B: Movement	1mm (.04in)

    
    
    If it is out of the standard value, replace the auto tensioner



14. Remove and discard the camshaft timing belt.
    
    

Removal of Balancer Belt (Timing Belt "B")

1. Loosen balancer belt tensioner pulley center bolt (Figure 9) and thread the belt off of the crankshaft balance belt sprocket. You should be able to get it off from around the backing plate between the crank and balance belt sprockets without removing the crank sprocket and backing plate.
   
   

   Figure 9




2. Remove and discard balancer belt
   
   

Balancer belt (Timing Belt "B"):

18. Ensure that the crankshaft sprocket and the silent shaft sprocket timing marks are aligned. Install new balancer belt (buy FACTORY belts, not aftermarket) over crankshaft sprocket "B", around the tensioner pulley, and over the counterbalance shaft sprocket. Do not leave any slack on the tension side of the belt (Figure 10).
    NOTE that if you are replacing the balance belt tensioner pulley, there is a lip on this pulley - on 95s, the lip goes on the inside, towards the block. 97-up, possibly 96-up, have a different pulley with a smaller lip, their pulley installs with the lip on the outside. Click on the pics at the top of the VFAQ to see a closeup of a 95 engine - notice the larger lip than what you will have with a 97-up (possibly 96-up).
    
    Figure 10, 1996 Models
    
    
19. Push the balancer belt tensioner up to place pressure on the balancer belt so that the tension side is taut. Belt tension should be 5-7 mm (.20-.28 in.) using the belt deflection method. Tighten the tensioner center bolt and torque to 15-22 Nm (11-16 ft. lbs.) (Figure 11).
    
    CAUTION: When tightening the bolt, ensure that that tensioner pulley shaft does not rotate with the bolt. Allowing it to rotate with the bolt can cause excessive tension on the belt.
    
    

    Figure 11




20. Install crankshaft sprocket and torque to 117 ± 9 Nm (87 ± 7 ft. lbs.).
    
    

21. If your engine has high mileage, it is a GOOD idea to replace the waterpump, timing belt tensioner, tensioner pulley, idler pulley (27 ft-lb), and balancer belt tensioner pulley while doing the belts. This is the time to do it - remove the tensioner, and you can swap in the new water pump. It is suggested you silicone the gasket to the pump the day before with a very light coating of silicone, just enough to hold the gasket on (so thin you can easily see through it).
    
    
22. If you replaced the waterpump, NOW is the time to put the radiator back in (if you removed it) and refill it to verify you have no leaks. Fill it with water only, so you can drain it and remove the radiator again (allows better access to the PS pump and alternator). Make sure to reinstall the tensioner arm bolt and washer (16 ft-lb). (Figure 11b)




Figure 11b




23. Align the timing marks on the camshaft sprockets, crankshaft sprocket, and oil pump sprocket. (Figure 12).
    
    

    Figure 12




24. Remove the balance shaft plug on the rear side of the cylinder block and insert a Phillips screwdriver {shank diameter 8 mm (.32 in.)} through the hole. The balance shaft is in the correct position if the screwdriver can be inserted at least 60 mm (2.4 in.). If the inserted depth is less than this only 20-25 mm (.8-1.0 in.), the oil pump sprocket must be rotated one full turn and timing marks realigned. Recheck the balance shaft position using the screwdriver to ensure that it can be inserted 60 mm (2.4 in.) or more. Keep the screwdriver inserted until timing belt installation is complete (Figure 13).
    

    ---

    NOTE that there is an easier way to do this. Simply rotate the mark on the oil pump sprocket until it is pointing straight up, and let it go. If the sprocket rotates towards (counterclockwise) the timing mark on the engine, the oil pump sprocket is aligned correctly. If it rotates away (clockwise) from the mark, spin the sprocket a full turn and test again, and it should properly rotate towards the mark now. Now line the mark on the sprocket back up with the mark on the engine. This avoids having to remove the rear access bolt entirely.

    ---

    
    
    

    Caution:

    MAKE SURE THE BALANCE SHAFT IS PROPERLY POSITIONED. It is possible for the oil pump sprocket timing marks to be properly aligned, and have the balance shaft out of phase. This could result in a SEVERE engine vibration.

    
    

    Figure 13




25. Install the new timing belt over the intake side camshaft sprocket and clamp it in position with a clip (Figure 14).
    
    


Figure 14

26. Use a wrench to maintain alignment of the two camshafts and install the timing belt over the exhaust side sprocket, aligning the timing marks as shown in Figure 4 and clamp the belt in position with a clip (Figures 15 & 16).
    
    

    Figure 15

    

    Figure 16

27. Position the timing belt (buy FACTORY belts, not aftermarket) around the idler pulley, oil pump sprocket, crankshaft sprocket and tensioner pulley (in that order) as shown in Figure 17.
    
    

    Figure 17




28. Rotate the tensioner pulley in a counterclockwise direction until the belt is taut and tighten the center bolt finger tight (Figure 18).

    Figure 18

    
    
    NOTE: MAKE SURE ALL TIMING BELT TEETH ARE ENGAGED WITH THE TEETH ON THE CAMSHAFTS, OIL PUMP, AND CRANKSHAFT SPROCKETS AND THAT ALL TIMING MARKS ARE STILL PROPERLY ALIGNED.
    
    
29. Screw the tool in until its end makes contact with the tensioner arm. Screw the tool in a little more, and remove the set wire/pin from the auto tensioner.
30. Remove the tensioner tool.
31. Remove the two clips holding the belt to the camshaft sprockets.
32. Rotate the camshaft timing belt tensioner pulley so that the pinholes are under the center bolt. Tighten the center bolt to spec (48 Nm (35 ft-lbs)) (Figure 19).
    
    

    Figure 19

33. After turning the crankshaft 1/4 counterclockwise, turn it clockwise until the timing marks are aligned.
    
    NOTE: THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT SPROCKET MAY ROTATE IN THE COUNTERCLOCKWISE DIRECTION AS THE BELT IS TENSIONED. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN INSTALLING THE TIMING BELT. If the camshaft sprocket timing marks don't line up after tensioning the belt with all the other timing marks lined up, loosen the belt and retension it, but try rotating the exhaust sprocket slightly clockwise (1 tooth off) first.
    
    
34. Loosen the tensioner pulley bolt, then use the special tensioner tool and a torque wrench to apply 3.5 Nm (2.6 ft-lbs) of torque to the pulley (this puts a light tension on the timing belt). Tighten the tensioner pulley bolt to spec (48 Nm (35 ft-lbs)) (Figure 20).



35. IF THE VEHICLE BODY INTERFERES WITH THE SPECIAL TOOL AND THE TORQUE WRENCH, RAISE THE ENGINE UP SLIGHTLY UNTIL THERE IS ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.
    
    CAUTION: When tightening the tensioner pulley bolt, do not let the tensioner pulley rotate with the bolt.
    
    

    Figure 20




36. Turn the crankshaft 2 revolutions clockwise so that the timing marks are aligned. After leaving it for 15 minutes, measure the auto tensioner push rod gap with a drill bit (distance between the tensioner arm and auto tensioner body) to ensure that it falls within the specification of 3.8-4.5mm (.150-.177in) as shown in Figure 21.
    
    

    Figure 21

37. If the gap is outside spec, repeat Steps 34-36.
38. Check again to see that all timing marks are aligned.
39. Remove the screwdriver from the balance shaft hole and install the plug.
    
    
40. Reinstall the tensioner tool rubber plug.
41. Install the upper and lower timing belt covers as shown in Figure 22.

    95-96 DSMs	Bolt sizes
    	Thread diameter × thread length mm (in.) Bolt Classification Torque Nm (ft-lbs) A: 6 x 16 (.24 x .63) Flange bolt 10-12 (7.2-8.7) B: 6 x 18 (.24 x .70) Flange bolt 10-12 (7.2-8.7) C: 6 x 25 (.24 x .98) Washer bolt 8.8 (6.5) D: 6 x 25 (.24 x .98) Flange bolt 10-12 (7.2-8.7) E: 6 x 45 (.24 x 1.77) Flange bolt 10-12 (7.2-8.7)
    Figure 22

    
    
    Note that timing cover bolts vary in length. Make sure that the proper size bolts are installed in the correct hole locations. (Figure 22)
    
    
42. Install crankshaft pulley and torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs.).
    
    
43. Install A/C tensioner bracket with A/C belt and torque to 25 ± 1 Nm (18 ± 2 ft. lbs.). Adjust belt tension to 6.5-7.5 mm (.26-.30 in.) belt deflection.
    
    
44. Install water pump pulley.
    
    
45. Install alternator/water pump and power steering drive belts and adjust belt tension as follows:
    

    		Belt Deflection
    Alternator/Water Pump Belt		7.5-9.0 mm (.30-.35 in.)
    Power Steering Belt		5.5-8.0 mm (.22-.32 in.)

    
    
46. Lower the engine and install left front engine mount and bracket and torque to the specifications shown in Figure 23.
    
    

    Figure 23

47. Install lower engine compartment splash shield.
    
    
    
    

Timing Belt Layout

Timing Belt Layout

POLICY: Information Only.

Helpful video for Timing Belt changes available at: http://www.trix.com/cgray/tbelt/tbelt.html

Credits

• Engine pics by:
  • Robert Yu
  • Tom Stangl
• Text by:
  • Tom Stangl
  • Todd Day
  • DSM

Questions, suggestions, comments, constructive criticism and/or corrections? Fill out this form.

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