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.

Set camshafts timing marks so that the exhaust camshaft sprocket is a 1/2 notch below the intake camshaft sprocket. See Fig 1.

CAUTION: Ensure that the arrows on both camshaft sprockets are facing up.

Fig 1: Camshaft Sprocket Alignment For Timing Belt Installation

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - CAMSHAFT SPROCKET-EXHAUST

2 - CAMSHAFT SPROCKET-INTAKE

3 - 1/2 NOTCH LOCATION

Install timing belt. Starting at the crankshaft, go around the water pump sprocket, idler pulley, camshaft sprockets and then around the tensioner. See Fig 2.

Move the exhaust camshaft sprocket counterclockwise to align marks and take up belt slack. See Fig 2.

Fig 2: Timing Belt Installation

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - CAMSHAFT TIMING MARKS 1/2 NOTCH LOCATION

2 - CRANKSHAFT AT TDC

3 - INSTALL BELT IN THIS DIRECTION

4 - ROTATE CAMSHAFT SPROCKET 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 3. Using the Allen wrench to prevent the top plate from moving, torque the tensioner lock bolt to 25 N.m (220 in. lbs.). Setting notch and spring tang should remain aligned after lock nut is torqued.

Remove Allen wrench and torque wrench.

Fig 3: Timing Belt Tension Adjustment

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - ALIGN SETTING NOTCH WITH SPRING TANG

2 - TOP PLATE

3 - 6mm ALLEN WRENCH

4 - LOCK BOLT

5 - SETTING NOTCH

6 - SPRING TANG

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. See Fig 4.

Fig 4: Crankshaft and Camshaft Timing

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - CAMSHAFT TIMING MARKS

2 - CRANKSHAFT TDC MARKS

3 - TRAILING EDGE OF SPROCKET TOOTH

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 5 through 7.

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

1 - SPRING TANG

2 - TOLERANCE WINDOW
Install engine mount support bracket. See Figure.
Install upper timing belt cover. Torque fasteners to 6 N.m (50 in. lbs.). See Figure.
Install the lower timing belt cover. Torque fasteners to 6 N.m (50 in. lbs.). See Figure.
Install generator and bracket. Connect generator connections.
Install AC/Generator belt tensioner.
Install crankshaft damper (Refer to ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER - INSTALLATION) .
Install right engine mount (Refer to ENGINE/ENGINE MOUNTING/RIGHT MOUNT - INSTALLATION) .
Install coolant recovery container (Refer to COOLING/ENGINE/COOLANT RECOVERY CONTAINER - INSTALLATION) .
Install accessory drive belts (Refer to COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS - INSTALLATION) .
Install belt splash shield.
Install right front wheel.
Connect negative battery cable.