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Timing Belt

Removal & Installation

2.4L Engine
Valve Timing Belt

To Remove:

NOTE: Mark the rotating direction of the timing belt if reusing the belt. Always install the belt in the original direction.

Valve timing belt removal/installation (2.4L)

  1. Remove the control wiring harness connection.
  2. Remove the connector bracket and harness bracket.
  3. Remove the upper cover.
  4. Remove the front engine mount bracket.
  5. Remove the water pump pulley and idler pulley.
  6. Remove the belt tensioner.
  7. Remove the lower cover.
  8. Turn the crankshaft to align the timing marks.

    Valve timing belt timing marks (2.4L)

  9. Turn the crankshaft to align the timing marks.
  10. Remove the timing belt under cover rubber plug and slowly install special tool MD998738 or equivalent to release the tension from the belt.

    Install special tool MD998738 through the timing belt under cover (2.4L)

    Use special tool MD998738 to relieve the tension on the belt (2.4L)

  11. Insert a pin through the holes in the tensioner and remove the special tool.
  12. Loosen the tensioner pulley center bolt and remove the valve timing belt.

Insert a pin through the tensioner (2.4L)

To Install:

  1. Align the timing marks on the camshaft, crankshaft and engine oil pump sprocket.
  2. Remove the cylinder block plug. Insert a bolt (M6, section width 10 mm, nominal length 45 mm) in the plug hole. If the bolt contacts the balancer shaft, turn the oil pump sprocket 360° and install the bolt. Do not remove the bolt until the valve timing belt is installed.

    Balance shaft inspection hole (2.4L)

  3. Install the belt on the pulleys beginning with the tensioner and moving to the crank, oil pump, idler and camshaft sprockets.
  4. Rotate the tensioner pulley counterclockwise and temporarily tighten the center bolt.
  5. Verify the timing marks are aligned.
  6. Remove the bolt from the balance shaft inspection hole and install the plug.
  7. Slowly install special tool MD998738 until the pin inserted in the timing belt tensioner moves slightly.
  8. Turn the crankshaft 90° counterclockwise.
  9. Turn the crankshaft clockwise to align all the timing marks.
  10. Loosen the tensioner pulley center bolt and apply a force of 31 in-lbs (3.5 Nm) to the tension pulley as shown.

    Apply a force of 31 in-lbs (3.5 Nm) to the tension pulley (2.4L)

  11. Tighten the center bolt to 36 ft-lbs (48 Nm).
  12. Remove the pin from the tensioner. Remove the special tool and install the rubber plug.
  13. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise two complete turns and let it rest for 15 minutes.
  14. Verify that the tension pin can be easily installed and removed from the tensioner. This indicates the belt is tensioned correctly. Repeat steps 7-11 if the pin can not be installed and removed easily.
  15. Install the lower cover.
  16. Install the belt tensioner.
  17. Install the water pump pulley and idler pulley.
  18. Install the front engine mount bracket.
  19. Install the upper cover.
  20. Install the connector bracket and harness bracket.
  21. Install the control wiring harness connection.
Balancer Timing Belt

To Remove:

NOTE: Mark the rotating direction of the timing belt if reusing the belt. Always install the belt in the original direction.

  1. Remove the timing belt idler pulley.
  2. Remove the timing belt lower cover bracket and crankshaft position sensor.
  3. Remove the crankshaft sprocket.
  4. Remove the crankshaft angle sensing blade.
  5. Loosen the tensioner pulley bolt and remove the belt.

Balance timing belt removal/installation (2.4L)

Balance timing belt timing marks (2.4L)

To Install:

  1. Align the timing marks and install the belt on the sprockets.
  2. Rotate the tensioner pulley by hand to remove all looseness from the belt and tighten the bolt to 14 ft-lbs (19 Nm).
  3. Turn the crankshaft clockwise two complete turns and verify the timing marks align.
  4. Apply a force of 13 lbs (59 N) at the center of the belt tension side. Verify belt deflection is 0.43 inch (11 mm).
  5. Install the crankshaft angle sensing blade.
  6. Install the crankshaft sprocket.
  7. Install the timing belt lower cover bracket and crankshaft position sensor.
  8. Install the timing belt idler pulley.
3.8L Engine

To Remove:

Timing belt removal/installation (3.8L)

  1. Remove the engine cover.
  2. Remove the under cover and side covers.
  3. Remove the drive belts.
  4. Remove the crankshaft pulley.
  5. Disconnect the control wiring harness connector.
  6. Disconnect the knock sensor, crankshaft position sensor, oil pressure switch and oil control valve connectors. Move the wiring out of the way.
  7. Remove the engine mounting stay.
  8. Remove the connector bracket.
  9. Remove the right and left upper timing belt covers.
  10. Remove the tensioner pulley and bracket.
  11. Remove the crankshaft position sensor harness clamp.
  12. Remove the lower timing belt cover.
  13. Remove the front engine mounting bracket.
  14. Remove the engine support bracket.

    WARNING
    Never turn the crankshaft counterclockwise unless directed.

    Timing marks (3.8L)

    NOTE: Mark the direction of the timing belt if you are going to reuse it. It must be installed in the same direction.

  15. Turn the crankshaft clockwise and align the timing marks.
  16. Loosen the tensioner pulley center bolt and remove the timing belt.
  17. Remove the auto tensioner and carefully (slowly) compress it in a vice until a pin can be inserted through the holes to retain the plunger.

To Install:

  1. Install the tensioner if removed, do not remove the pin.
  2. Make sure the camshaft timing marks are aligned.
  3. Install the timing belt in the following sequence;
  4. Turn the right camshaft sprocket counterclockwise to take up slack in the belt.
  5. Turn the tensioner pulley counterclockwise into the belt and temporarily tighten the center bolt.
  6. Turn the crankshaft 90° counterclockwise.
  7. Turn the crankshaft clockwise to align all the timing marks.
  8. Loosen the tensioner pulley center bolt and apply a force of 39 in-lbs (4.4 Nm) to the tension pulley as shown.

    Tensioner pulley tightening (3.8L)

  9. Tighten the center bolt to 36 ft-lbs (48 Nm).
  10. Remove the pin from the auto tensioner.
  11. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise two complete turns, align the timing marks and let it rest for 5 minutes.
  12. Make sure the auto tensioner pushrod extends 0.19 - 0.24 inch (4.8 - 6.0 mm) as shown. If not, repeat the tensioning procedure.

    Auto tensioner pushrod length (3.8L)

  13. Install the front engine mounting bracket.
  14. Install the lower timing belt cover.
  15. Install the crankshaft position sensor harness clamp.
  16. Install the tensioner pulley and bracket.
  17. Install the right and left upper timing belt covers.
  18. Install the connector bracket.
  19. Install the engine mounting stay.
  20. Connect the knock sensor, crankshaft position sensor, oil pressure switch and oil control valve connectors.
  21. Connect the control wiring harness connector.
  22. Install the crankshaft pulley.
  23. Install the drive belts.
  24. Install the under cover and side covers.
  25. Install the engine cover.

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