Removal

NOTE:
- Turn the crankshaft pulley so the No. 1 piston is at top dead center (TDC) before removing the belt.
- Inspect the water pump after removing the timing belt.
- Replace the timing belt and timing balancer belt at 105,000 miles (168,000 km) according to the maintenance schedule (normal conditions/severe conditions). If the vehicle is regularly driven in one or more of the following conditions, replace the timing belt and timing balancer belt at 60,000 miles (100,000 km).
- In very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C).
- In very low temperatures (under -20°F, -29°C).

1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio, then write down the frequencies for the radio's preset buttons.
2. Disconnect the battery negative terminal first, then the positive terminal.
3. Remove the wheelwell splash shield.





4. Loosen the adjusting bolt, locknut and mounting bolt, then remove the power steering (P/S) pump belt.
5. Remove the alternator terminal and connector.





6. Loosen the adjusting bolt, mounting bolt and locknut, then remove the alternator belt.
7. Remove the side engine mount.





8. Remove the dipstick and the tube.

NOTE:
- Support the engine with a jack before removing the side engine mount and upper bracket assembly is removed.
- Make sure to place a cushion between the oil pan and the jack.

9. Remove the cylinder head cover.

NOTE: The procedures in steps 10 and 11 are for reusing the timing belt. For replacing the timing belt, skip these procedures and go to step 12.

10. Use an open-end wrench to loosen the maintenance bolt. If it cannot be loosened with an open-end wrench, a box wrench can be used after removing the lock pin.

NOTE: Use of a tool should be limited to initial loosening only.








11. Unscrew the maintenance bolt by hand until it stops. The auto-tensioner bracket is now fixed.

NOTE:
- Never use a tool to unscrew the maintenance bolt after initial loosening it.
- If the auto-tensioner has been extended and the timing belt cannot be installed, remove the auto-tensioner, compress it and reinstall it.

12. Remove the middle cover.

NOTE: Do not use the middle cover to store removed items.

13. Remove the pulley bolt and crankshaft pulley.





14. Remove the lock pin and rubber seals, then remove the lower cover.

NOTE: Do not use the lower cover to store removed items.





15. Loosen the adjusting nut 2/3 to 1 turn. Push the tensioner to remove tension from the timing balancer belt, then retighten the adjusting nut.

16. Remove the timing balancer belt and timing belt.