DIY: Timing Belt Replacement

What is a Timing Belt?

Timing belts let the vehicle's engine work. They play an important part in managing the pistons and valves in the vehicle and connect the engine's camshaft to the crankshaft. In simple terms, the timing belt is a strengthened rubber band with teeth on its inner side that perfectly harmonises the closing and opening of the engine's valves.

Tools Needed to Replace Your Timing Belt:

A new timing belt
Jack and Jack stand
Socket set
Torque wrench
Combination wrenches
Screwdrivers

Once you have gathered all the tools, you can easily replace the timing belt. Steps to replace your timing belt

Step 1: Obtain the new belt and prepare your workspace so that you can work undisturbed.

Remove the negative battery cable in step 2.You also might need to separate the alternator belt if it is creating problems while working on the timing belt.

Step 3: Detach the required accessories like the alternator, the power steering pump, and the air conditioning compressor so the timing belt cover can be easily accessible. Also, remove the valve cover assembly as it is required to access the timing belt.

Step4: With the use of a wrench on the crankshaft bolt, revolve the engine and set the timing mark on the timing scale by lining up the crankshaft pulley to the zero mark. Check that the distributor rotor is set at the index mark.

Step5: verify whether the harmonic balancer pulley needs to be removed to remove the timing belt cover. Detach the bolts attached to the timing belt cover.

Step 6: Examine the camshaft and crankshaft seals to see if there is any oil leakage. Also, check around the valve cover and oil pan. Also, look for coolant leakage from the water pump and water pump by-pass hose. All the leakage must be repaired before the installation of the new belt.

Step 7: Remove the mounting bolt that holds the old timing belt tensioner in place. Also, determine whether the tensioner pulley has any cracks or dents and needs replacement.

Step 8: Remove the old timing belt from the sprockets and replace it over the pulleys. Timing belts used for a long time might stick to the pulley grooves and might require a gentle pry with a screwdriver. Therefore, do not force the new timing belt. 

Step 9: Once the belt has been slid, rotate the crankshaft back to the normal rotation to get rid of any looseness in the belt and set the teeth back in the proper pulley grooves. As per the manufacturer's recommended torque setting, verify the tension with a tension tester, twist the tensioner and axle the bolts.

Step: 10 Reassemble all the parts that you have detached and reconnect the battery earth cable. Check the ignition timing and start the engine to make all the last adjustments. 

Timing belts are inexpensive, but they might cause huge damage to the engine. Thus, checking your vehicle regularly and repairing it from time to time is essential.