Timing Belt: Adjustments

The timing belt has an automatic tension adjusting mechanism. Adjustment can be made by the following procedure:

1. Turn the steering wheel fully counterclockwise.





2. Apply a wood block under the engine oil pan and carefully raise the engine.

CAUTION:
- Jack up only slightly to prevent undue stress on parts.





3. Remove the engine left mount bracket.





4. Remove the engine coolant pump pulley.





5. Remove the timing belt upper cover.

6. Check the belt for cracking, peeling or other damage. Be sure to carefully check the entire length of the belt.





7. Rotate the crankshaft so hat the No.1 piston is at top dead center of the compression stroke. In other words, align the timing mark on the camshaft sprocket with that on the cylinder head. Note that the crankshaft should be turned clockwise, not counterclockwise. Turning the crankshaft counterclockwise will cause the tension to become improperly adjusted.

8. Remove the timing belt lower cover.





9. Loosen the tensioner connecting bolts 1 and 2 in that order as shown to give the timing belt spring tension.





10. Check the belt to ensure that it is not out of position.





11. Tighten the tensioner attaching bolts 2 and 1 in that order as shown. If the bolt 1 is tightened first, the tensioner will move with the bolt and cause the belt to become overtightened.

12. Give the crankshaft one turn in operating direction (clockwise) and realign crankshaft sprocket timing mark with the top dead center position.

CAUTION:
- Do not turn the crankshaft in a counterclockwise direction.

13. Loosen the tensioner attaching bolts 1 and 2 in that order as shown.

14. Retighten the tensioner attaching bolts 2 and 1 in that order as shown to the specified torque.

Tightening torque 20-27 Nm (200-270 kg.cm, 14-20 lb-f)





15. Recheck the belt tension. where the tensioner and the tension side of the timing belt are pushed in horizontally with a moderate force [approx. 49 N (11 lb)], the timing belt cog end is approx. 1/2 of the tensioner mounting bolt head radius (across flats) away from the bolt head center.

TENSION MEASURING PROCEDURE
(When using a tension gauge)





1. Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise to position 90 degrees before top dead center as shown in the illustration.

2. Measure the belt tension in the middle of the tension side span using the tension gauge. (BORROUGHS BT-33-73F TYPE)

Timing belt tension (In cool condition) 14.5-21.5kg (32-47 lb)





CAUTION:
- Place the arms on the bottom of the belt teeth. Place the spindle against the middle of the back surface of the belt.