Timing Belt Change for a 1st Gen Neon by spudsterier
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Timing Belt Change for a 1st Gen Neon by spudsterier
This is a how to for doing your timing.....
This is assuming that the belt is ready to be installed...
1. Compress the tensioner pin using a large vise. When compressed, stick a 5/64 allen wrench through the holes in the body and through the center pin to keep it compressed. (Make sure to stick the allen wrench through the retaining holes with the tensioners bolt holes facing the right). Remove the pin from the vise and save for later use
2. Make sure the cam gears are aligned:
DOHC - align the cam gear timing marks together (little notches on the outside edge of the cam gears). Use a large straight edge to determine that the cam marks are on a center line, find the center line by holding the straight edge across the center cam bolts. Then just make sure the cam notches are on that line. The cams are aligned.
SOHC - align the cam gear timing mark(the little notch on the outside edge of the cam gear) with the notch on the back of the timing cover.(located between 11 and 12 o’clock) cam is aligned
3. Make sure the crank is at top dead center (TDC). To do this, remove the number one spark plug, using a small wooden dowl rod, place it in the spark plug hole until it hits the piston. Rotate the crank clockwise until the dowl rod moves outward to its highest point. Then you have found TDC. After you find TDC, back the crank sprocket 3 notches counter clockwise. Then rotate the crank clockwise until it is ½ notch before the TDC mark. The crank is aligned.
4. Now you are ready to install the timing belt.
First place the belt around the crank sprocket. Next keeping tension on the belt, route it around the water pump gear.
Then on a DOHC route it around the idler pulley. (If a SOHC then discard this step). Then around the cam gear(s) and finally slip it around the tensioner pulley(it’s the one that swivels). Now the belt is routed.
5. Mount the tensioner pin. Do not tighten the bolts yet. Leave enough play so that the pin can slid up and down if needed. And do not remove the allen wrench.
6. Next step is to make sure the timing marks are all aligned when there is tension on the belt. So, use a flat screwdriver or pry bar and place it between the bottom of the tensioner pin and the lip on the oil pump (when you see it, you will know what im talkin about). Now pry down so that the tensioner pin is pushing up. There should now be tension on the belt. While using one hand to hold tension on the pin. Use the other to rotate the crank clockwise 1 revolution. (Do this by replacing the crank bolt and using a breaker bar to turn it over)
7. If the timing marks are still aligned correctly, tighten down the tensioner pin bolts. (While keeping tension on the pin with the pry bar). Then remove the allen wrench.
8. If the marks are not aligned, then remove the timing belt and repeat steps 3-7.
9. Then remove the crank bolt, and install the timing cover. Then reinstall the crank pulley
tips: before replacing the timing cover, make sure the car starts first. If it starts hard, requires the gas pedel to be held down to start, and doesnt start, then the timing is off just a tad. So, redo it.
When compressing the tensioner pin, occasionally spray it with lubricant, it will make this allot easier.
Neon1stGen
This is assuming that the belt is ready to be installed...
1. Compress the tensioner pin using a large vise. When compressed, stick a 5/64 allen wrench through the holes in the body and through the center pin to keep it compressed. (Make sure to stick the allen wrench through the retaining holes with the tensioners bolt holes facing the right). Remove the pin from the vise and save for later use
2. Make sure the cam gears are aligned:
DOHC - align the cam gear timing marks together (little notches on the outside edge of the cam gears). Use a large straight edge to determine that the cam marks are on a center line, find the center line by holding the straight edge across the center cam bolts. Then just make sure the cam notches are on that line. The cams are aligned.
SOHC - align the cam gear timing mark(the little notch on the outside edge of the cam gear) with the notch on the back of the timing cover.(located between 11 and 12 o’clock) cam is aligned
3. Make sure the crank is at top dead center (TDC). To do this, remove the number one spark plug, using a small wooden dowl rod, place it in the spark plug hole until it hits the piston. Rotate the crank clockwise until the dowl rod moves outward to its highest point. Then you have found TDC. After you find TDC, back the crank sprocket 3 notches counter clockwise. Then rotate the crank clockwise until it is ½ notch before the TDC mark. The crank is aligned.
4. Now you are ready to install the timing belt.
First place the belt around the crank sprocket. Next keeping tension on the belt, route it around the water pump gear.
Then on a DOHC route it around the idler pulley. (If a SOHC then discard this step). Then around the cam gear(s) and finally slip it around the tensioner pulley(it’s the one that swivels). Now the belt is routed.
5. Mount the tensioner pin. Do not tighten the bolts yet. Leave enough play so that the pin can slid up and down if needed. And do not remove the allen wrench.
6. Next step is to make sure the timing marks are all aligned when there is tension on the belt. So, use a flat screwdriver or pry bar and place it between the bottom of the tensioner pin and the lip on the oil pump (when you see it, you will know what im talkin about). Now pry down so that the tensioner pin is pushing up. There should now be tension on the belt. While using one hand to hold tension on the pin. Use the other to rotate the crank clockwise 1 revolution. (Do this by replacing the crank bolt and using a breaker bar to turn it over)
7. If the timing marks are still aligned correctly, tighten down the tensioner pin bolts. (While keeping tension on the pin with the pry bar). Then remove the allen wrench.
8. If the marks are not aligned, then remove the timing belt and repeat steps 3-7.
9. Then remove the crank bolt, and install the timing cover. Then reinstall the crank pulley
tips: before replacing the timing cover, make sure the car starts first. If it starts hard, requires the gas pedel to be held down to start, and doesnt start, then the timing is off just a tad. So, redo it.
When compressing the tensioner pin, occasionally spray it with lubricant, it will make this allot easier.
Neon1stGen
