Timing Cover: Service and Repair
Engine Front CoverSpecial 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: The crankshaft, the crankshaft sprocket and the pulley are fitted together by friction, using diamond washers between the flange faces on each part. For that reason, the crankshaft sprocket is also unfastened if you loosen the pulley. Therefore, the engine must be retimed each time the pulley is removed. Otherwise severe engine damage can occur.
All vehicles
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Maintenance/Service and Repair.
2. If equipped, remove the 7 screws and the underbody cover.
3. Remove the 4 screws and position the RH fender splash shield aside.
4. Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) and the RH splash shield.
5. Remove the valve cover.
6. Loosen the 3 coolant pump pulley bolts.
7. Remove the accessory drive belt and idler pulley. For additional information, refer to Drive Belts, Mounts, Brackets and Accessories.
8. Remove the engine mount.
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 crankshaft pulley removal and installation.
Install the special tool.
14. Install the special tools.
15. CAUTION: Failure to hold the crankshaft pulley in place while loosening the bolt can result in damage to the engine.
CAUTION: If the crankshaft sprocket diamond washer comes off with the crankshaft pulley, it must be installed back onto the crankshaft.
Remove the crankshaft pulley.
^ Using the special tools to hold the crankshaft pulley in place, remove the crankshaft pulley bolt and washer.
^ Remove the crankshaft pulley.
16. CAUTION: Use care not to damage the engine front cover or the crankshaft when removing the seal.
Using the special tool, remove and discard the crankshaft front oil seal.
17. Remove the 3 bolts and the coolant pump pulley.
18. Disconnect the power steering pressure (PSP) switch electrical connector.
19. NOTE: The bolt that is positioned under the power steering pressure tube fitting will remain with the pump.
Remove the 3 power steering pump bolts and position the power steering pump aside.
20. Disconnect the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor electrical connector.
21. NOTE: Whenever the CKP sensor is removed, a new one must be installed, using the alignment jig supplied with the new part.
Remove the 2 bolts and the CKP sensor.
^ Discard the CKP sensor.
22. Remove the 22 bolts and the engine front cover.
Installation
All vehicles
1. CAUTION: Do not use metal scrapers, wire brushes, power abrasive discs or other abrasive means to clean sealing surfaces. These tools cause scratches and gouges which make leak paths.
Clean and inspect the mounting surfaces of the engine and the front cover.
2. NOTE: The engine front cover must be installed and the bolts tightened within 4 minutes of applying the silicone gasket and sealant.
Apply a 2.5 mm (0.09 inch) bead of silicone gasket and sealant to the cylinder head and oil pan joint areas. Apply a 2.5 mm (0.09 inch) bead of silicone gasket and sealant to the front cover.
3. Install the engine front cover. Tighten the bolts in the sequence shown, to these specifications:
^ Tighten the 8-mm bolts to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).
^ Tighten the 13-mm bolts to 48 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
4. Position the power steering pump and install the 3 bolts.
5. NOTE: The coolant pump pulley bolts should be tightened after the accessory drive belt is installed.
Install the coolant pump pulley and bolts.
^ Tighten to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
6. NOTE: Remove the through-bolt from the special tool.
NOTE: Lubricate the oil seal with clean engine oil.
Using the special tool, install the crankshaft front oil seal.
7. NOTE: Do not reuse the crankshaft pulley bolt.
NOTE: Apply clean engine oil on the seal area before installing.
Install the crankshaft pulley and hand-tighten the new bolt.
8. CAUTION: Only hand-tighten the bolt or damage to the front cover can occur.
NOTE: This step will correctly align the crankshaft pulley to the crankshaft.
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.
^ Rotate the pulley as necessary to align the bolt holes.
9. CAUTION: Failure to hold the crankshaft pulley in place while tightening the bolt can cause damage to the engine front cover.
Using the special tools to hold the crankshaft pulley in place, tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt in 2 stages:
^ Stage 1: Tighten to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).
^ Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees (1/4 turn).
10. Remove the 6 mm (0.23 inch) x 18 mm (0.7 inch) bolt.
11. Remove the special tool.
12. Remove the special tool.
13. NOTE: Only turn the engine in the normal direction of rotation.
Turn the engine 2 complete revolutions.
14. NOTE: Only turn the engine in the normal direction of rotation.
Turn the crankshaft until the No. 1 piston is at TDC.
15. Install the special tool.
16. CAUTION: Only hand-tighten the bolt or damage to the front cover can occur.
Using the 6 mm (0.23 inch) x 18 mm (0.7 inch) bolt, check the position of the crankshaft pulley.
^ If it is not possible to install the bolt, correct the engine timing.
17. Using the special tool, check the position of the camshafts.
^ If it is not possible to install the special tool, correct the engine timing.
18. Install the CKP sensor.
^ Do not tighten the bolts at this time.
19. Adjust the new CKP sensor with the alignment jig.
^ Tighten the bolts to 7 Nm (62 inch lbs.).
20. Connect the CKP sensor electrical connector.
21. Remove the 6 mm (0.23 inch) x 18 mm (0.7 inch) bolt.
22. Install the engine plug bolt.
^ Tighten to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
Automatic transaxle vehicles
23. Install the RH halfshaft and the 2 halfshaft carrier bearing bracket bolts.
^ Tighten to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).
All vehicles
24. Install the accessory drive belt and idler pulley. For additional information, refer to Drive Belts, Mounts, Brackets and Accessories.
25. Tighten the 3 coolant pump pulley bolts to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
26. Install the engine mount.
27. Install the RH splash shield and the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown).
28. Position the RH fender splash shield and install the 4 screws.
29. If equipped, install the underbody cover and the 7 screws.
30. Install the valve cover.