2.3 & 2.5 Timing belt removal & installation
1. Rotate the engine so that No. 1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke. Check that the timing marks are aligned on the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys. An access plug is provided in the cam belt cover so that the camshaft timing can be checked without removal of the cover or any other parts. Set the crankshaft to TDC by aligning the timing mark on the crank pulley with the TDC mark on the belt cover. Look through the access hole in the belt cover to make sure that the timing mark on the cam drive sprocket is lined up with the pointer on the inner belt cover.
2. If the belt is still on the engine and you wan't to check the timing turn the engine in the normal direction of rotation. Backward rotation may cause the timing belt to jump time, due to the arrangement of the belt tensioner, if the belt has stripped teeth, or is broken this doesn't matter.
3. Cooling system, you do not have to completely drain it, just drain it enough so the upper radiator hose can be removed from the thermostat housing and the radiator, it's easier to access the front of the engine if you remove the fan shroud. Remove the fan blade and water pump pulley bolts.
4. Loosen the alternator retaining bolts and remove the drive belt from the pulleys, remove the water pump pulley, if you have power steering rather than removing the whole power steering pump bracket just remove the one idler pulley that partially covers the timing belt cover from the bracket.
5. Remove the four timing belt outer cover retaining bolts and remove the cover. Remove the crankshaft pulley and belt guide.
6. Loosen the belt tensioner pulley assembly, then position a camshaft belt adjuster tool T74P–6254–A or equivalent, (I use a small pry bar) on the tension spring rollpin and retract the belt tensioner away from the timing belt. Tighten the adjustment bolt to lock the tensioner in the retracted position.
7. Remove the timing belt.
8. Install the new belt over the crankshaft sprocket and then counterclockwise over the auxiliary and camshaft sprockets, making sure the lugs on the belt properly engage the sprocket teeth on the pulleys. Be careful not to rotate the pulleys when installing the belt.
9. Release the timing belt tensioner pulley, allowing the tensioner to take up the belt slack. If the spring does not have enough tension to move the roller against the belt (belt hangs loose), it might be necessary to manually push the roller against the belt and tighten the bolt. (They say the spring cannot be used to set belt tension, and a belt tensioner tool must be used on the tensioner assembly, I use the spring tensioner to set the tension on the belt, and have had no problems doing it this way for allmost 25 years).
10. Rotate the crankshaft two complete turns by hand (in the normal direction of rotation) to remove the slack from the belt, then tighten the tensioner adjustment and pivot bolts to specifications. Make sure the belt is seated properly on the pulleys and that the timing marks are still in alignment when No. 1 cylinder is again at TDC/compression.
11. Install the belt guide, crankshaft pulley, timing belt cover, timing belt cover, (idler pulley if you have power steering), water pump pulley, and fan
12. Install upper radiator hose if necessary. Refill the cooling system.
13. Position the alternator and drive belts, then adjust and tighten it to specifications.
14. Start the engine and check the ignition timing. Adjust the timing, if necessary.