Installation - Timing Belt

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Stratus and 2005 Chrysler Sebring. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Set crankshaft sprocket to TDC by aligning the sprocket with the arrow on the oil pump housing, then back off to 3 notches before TDC. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Crankshaft Sprocket Position
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - TDC MARK
Set camshafts timing marks together by aligning notches on sprockets. See Fig 2.

Fig 2: Camshaft Timing Marks
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - ALIGN CAMSHAFT SPROCKET TIMING MARKS TOGETHER

2 - CENTERLINE

Rotate crankshaft 1/2 tooth counterclockwise from TDC. See Fig 3.

Fig 3: Adjusting Crankshaft Sprocket for Timing Belt

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - TDC REFERENCE MARK

2 - 1/2 NOTCH LOCATION

3 - TDC MARK

Install the timing belt. Starting at the crankshaft, go around the water pump sprocket, idler pulley, camshaft sprockets, and finally route the back side of the timing belt around the timing belt tensioner pulley.
Move crankshaft sprocket to TDC to take up belt slack.

Insert a 6 mm Allen wrench into the hexagon opening located on the top plate of the belt tensioner pulley. Rotate the top plate COUNTERCLOCKWISE . The tensioner pulley will move against the belt and the tensioner setting notch will eventually start to move clockwise. Watching the movement of the setting notch, continue rotating the top plate counterclockwise until the setting notch is aligned with the spring tang. See Fig 4. Using the Allen wrench to prevent the top plate from moving, torque the tensioner lock nut to 30 N.m (22 ft. lbs.). Setting notch and spring tang should remain aligned after lock nut is torqued.

Fig 4: Timing Belt Tension Adjustment

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - ALIGN SETTING NOTCH WITH SPRING TANG

2 - TOP PLATE

3 - 6mm ALLEN WRENCH

4 - LOCK NUT

5 - SETTING NOTCH

6 - SPRING TANG

Remove Allen wrench and torque wrench.
NOTE: Repositioning the crankshaft to the TDC position must be done only during the CLOCKWISE rotation movement. If TDC is missed, rotate a further two revolutions until TDC is achieved. DO NOT rotate crankshaft counterclockwise as this will make verification of proper tensioner setting impossible.
Rotate the crankshaft CLOCKWISE two complete revolutions manually for seating of the belt, until the crankshaft is repositioned at the TDC position. Verify that the camshaft and crankshaft timing marks are in proper position.
Check if the spring tang is within the tolerance window. See Fig 5. If the spring tang is within the tolerance window, the installation process is complete and nothing further is required. If the spring tang is not within the tolerance window, repeat Steps 6 through 8.

Fig 5: Timing Belt Tension Verification
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - SPRING TANG

2 - TOLERANCE WINDOW
Install the front timing belt cover. See Figure (Refer to ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT COVER(S) - INSTALLATION).
Connect negative battery cable.