Removal

Camshafts

Special 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 do so 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.
2. Remove the accessory drive belt.
3. If equipped, remove the 7 screws and the underbody cover.





4. Remove the variable camshaft timing (VCT) solenoid.
5. Check the valve clearance.

6. 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 top dead center (TDC).
^ The hole in the crankshaft pulley should be in the 6 o'clock position.





7. 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
8. Remove the 2 halfshaft carrier bracket bolts and slide the RH halfshaft 12 mm (0.47 inch) out of the transaxle.





All vehicles
9. Remove the engine plug bolt.





10. 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.





11. 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.





12. Remove the lower timing hole plug from the engine front cover.





13. Remove the upper timing hole plug from the engine front cover.





14. Reposition the special tool to the slot on the rear of the intake camshaft only.





15. NOTE: Releasing the ratcheting mechanism in the timing chain tensioner allows the plunger to collapse and create slack in the timing chain. Installing the 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 the M6 x 30 mm (1.18 inch) bolt into the upper front cover timing hole to hold the tensioner arm in the retracted position.





16. Using the flats on the camshaft to prevent camshaft rotation, remove the bolt and the exhaust camshaft drive gear.





17. Remove the special tool.





18. Remove the timing chain from the intake camshaft drive gear.





19. Mark the position of the camshaft lobes on the No. 1 cylinder for installation reference.





20. CAUTION: Failure to follow the camshaft loosening procedure can result in damage to the camshafts.

NOTE: Mark the location and orientation of each camshaft bearing cap.

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.





21. If removal of the camshaft phaser and sprocket is necessary, mark the sprocket and camshaft for reference during installation.
^ If necessary, place the camshaft in a soft-jawed vise. Remove the bolt and the camshaft phaser and sprocket.