Removal

CAUTION: With timing belt removed, avoid turning camshaft or crankshaft. If movement is required, exercise extreme caution to avoid valve damage caused by piston contact.

Fig. 7 Timing Belt Removal:

Fig. 8 Camshaft & Crankshaft Sprocket Timing Marks:

TIMING BELT REMOVAL
1. Remove battery ground cable.
2. Disconnect breather and secondary air hoses, then remove air cleaner assembly, air intake duct and heated air duct as needed.
3. Disconnect accelerator cable and oxygen sensor lead, and remove spark plug wires as needed.
4. Remove accessory drive belts.
5. Support engine as needed, then remove left engine mount bracket.
6. Remove power steering pump, if equipped and water pump pulleys.
7. Remove rocker arm cover, gasket and packing, and upper timing belt cover.
8. Using crankshaft pulley holder tool No. MD998747, or equivalent, and a discarded drive belt, stop rotation of crankshaft pulley, remove A/C and crankshaft pulley, Fig. 7.
9. Rotate crankshaft in normal direction of rotation (clockwise) until timing marks are aligned, Fig. 8, loosen belt tensioner bolts and move timing belt tensioner fully toward water pump, then tighten bolts to hold tensioner.
10. Remove timing belt. If timing belt is to be reused, place an arrow mark indicating direction of normal engine rotation for belt installation reference.
11. Remove camshaft sprocket, crankshaft sprocket and flange, and timing belt tensioner as needed.
12. Inspect belt and replace if any of following conditions are noted:

a. Hardened back surface rubber, characterized by glossy back surface and non-elasticity.
b. Cracked back surface rubber.
c. Cracked or separated canvas.
d. Cracks at tooth bottom or side of belt.