Camshafts
CamshaftsSpecial Tool(s):
Material:
Removal
CAUTION: During engine repair procedures, cleanliness is extremely important. Any foreign material, including any material created while cleaning gasket surfaces, that enters the oil passages, coolant passages or the oil pan can cause engine failure.
CAUTION: Do not rotate the camshafts or crankshaft unless instructed to in this procedure. Rotating the camshafts or crankshaft with timing components loosened or removed can cause serious damage to the valves or pistons.
All vehicles
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Maintenance/Service and Repair.
2. Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to Battery.
3. Remove the variable camshaft timing (VCT) solenoid. For additional information, refer to Computers and Control Systems.
4. Check the valve clearance.
5. If equipped, remove the 7 screws and the underbody cover.
6. Remove the 4 screws and position the RH fender splash shield aside.
7. NOTE: Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) and the RH splash shield.
8. Remove the accessory drive belt. For additional information, refer to Drive Belts, Mounts, Brackets and Accessories.
9. CAUTION: Failure to position the No. 1 piston at top dead center (TDC) can result in damage to the engine. Turn the engine in the normal direction of rotation only.
Using the crankshaft pulley bolt, turn the crankshaft clockwise to position the No. 1 piston at TDC.
^ The hole in the crankshaft pulley should be in the 6 o'clock position.
10. CAUTION: The special tool 303-465 is for camshaft alignment only. Using this tool to prevent engine rotation can result in engine damage.
NOTE: The camshaft timing slots are offset. If the special tool cannot be installed, rotate the crankshaft one complete revolution clockwise to correctly position the camshafts.
Install the special tool in the slots on the rear of both camshafts.
Automatic transaxle vehicles
11. Remove the 2 halfshaft carrier bracket bolts and slide the RH halfshaft 12 mm (0.47 inch) out of the transaxle.
All vehicles
12. Remove the engine plug bolt.
13. NOTE: The special tool will contact the crankshaft and prevent it from turning past TDC. However, the crankshaft can still be rotated in the counterclockwise direction. The crankshaft must remain at the TDC position during the camshaft removal and installation.
Install the special tool.
14. CAUTION: Only hand-tighten the bolt or damage to the front cover can occur.
Install a standard 6 mm (0.23 inch) x 18 mm (0.7 inch) bolt through the crankshaft pulley and thread it into the front cover.
15. Remove the lower timing hole plug from the engine front cover.
16. Remove the upper timing hole plug from the engine front cover.
17. Reposition the special tool to the slot on the rear of the intake camshaft only.
18. NOTE: By releasing the ratcheting mechanism in the timing chain tensioner it allows the plunger to collapse and create slack in the timing chain. Installing an M6 x 30 mm (1.18 inch) bolt into the upper front cover timing hole will lock the tensioner arm in a retracted position and allow enough slack in the timing chain for removal of the exhaust camshaft gear.
Using a small pick tool, release the timing chain tensioner ratchet through the lower front cover timing hole.
^ Have an assistant rotate (using the flats of the camshaft) the exhaust camshaft clockwise to collapse the timing chain tensioner plunger.
^ Insert an M6 x 30 mm (1.18 inch) bolt into the upper front cover timing hole to hold the tensioner arm in the retracted position.
19. Using the flats on the camshaft to prevent camshaft rotation, remove the bolt and the exhaust camshaft drive gear.
20. Remove the special tool.
21. Remove the timing chain from the intake camshaft drive gear.
22. Mark the position of the camshaft lobes on the No. 1 cylinder for installation reference.
23. CAUTION: Failure to follow the camshaft loosening procedure can result in damage to the camshafts.
Remove the camshafts from the engine.
^ Loosen the camshaft bearing cap bolts, in the sequence shown, one turn at a time until all tension is released from the camshaft bearing caps.
^ Remove the bolts and the camshaft bearing caps.
^ Remove the camshafts.
24. If removal of the VCT actuator is necessary, mark the actuator and camshaft for reference during installation.
^ If necessary, place the camshaft in a soft-jawed vise and remove the bolt and the VCT actuator.
Installation
All vehicles
1. NOTE: If new parts are installed, transfer the reference marks made during disassembly to the new parts.
If necessary, position the camshaft in a soft-jawed vise and install the VCT actuator and bolt.
^ Align the reference marks on the VCT actuator and the camshaft and tighten the bolt to 72 Nm (53 ft. lbs.).
2. CAUTION: Install the camshafts with the alignment slots in the camshafts lined up so the Camshaft Alignment Plate can be installed without rotating the camshafts. Make sure the lobes on the No. 1 cylinder are in the same position as noted in the removal procedure. Rotating the camshafts when the timing chain is removed, or installing the camshafts 180 degrees out of position can cause severe damage to the valves and pistons.
NOTE: Lubricate the camshaft journals and bearing caps with clean engine oil.
Install the camshafts and bearing caps. Tighten the camshaft bearing caps in the sequence shown in 3 stages:
^ Stage 1: Tighten the camshaft bearing cap bolts until finger tight.
^ Stage 2: Tighten to 7 Nm (62 inch lbs.).
^ Stage 3: Tighten to 16 Nm (12 ft. lbs.).
3. Install the special tool.
4. Install the timing chain on the intake camshaft drive gear.
5. NOTE: The timing chain must be correctly engaged on the teeth of the crankshaft timing sprocket and the intake camshaft drive gear in order to install the exhaust camshaft drive gear onto the exhaust camshaft.
Position the exhaust camshaft drive gear in the timing chain and install the gear and bolt on the exhaust camshaft.
^ Hand-tighten the bolt.
6. NOTE: Releasing the tensioner arm will remove the slack from the timing chain.
Remove the M6 x 30 mm (1.18 inch) bolt from the upper front cover timing hole to release the tensioner arm.
7. CAUTION: The special tool 303-465 is for camshaft alignment only. Using this tool to prevent engine rotation can result in engine damage.
Using the flats on the camshaft to prevent camshaft rotation, tighten the exhaust camshaft drive gear bolt to 72 Nm (53 ft. lbs.).
8. Remove the special tool.
9. Remove the 6 mm (0.23 inch) x 18 mm (0.7 inch) bolt.
10. Remove the special tool.
11. Install the upper timing hole plug in the engine front cover.
^ Tighten to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).
12. Apply silicone gasket and sealant to the threads of the lower timing hole plug.
^ Install the lower timing hole plug in the engine front cover.
- Tighten to 12 Nm (9 ft. lbs.).
13. Install the engine plug bolt.
^ Tighten to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
Automatic transaxle vehicles
14. Install the RH halfshaft and the 2 halfshaft carrier bearing bracket bolts.
^ Tighten to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).
All vehicles
15. Install the accessory drive belt. For additional information, refer to Drive Belts, Mounts, Brackets and Accessories.
16. Install the RH splash shield and the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown).
17. Position the RH fender splash shield and install the 4 screws.
18. If equipped, install the underbody cover and the 7 screws.
19. Install the variable camshaft timing (VCT) solenoid. For additional information, refer to Computers and Control Systems.
20. Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to Battery.