Timing Belt & Balance Shaft Belt: Installation

1. Retract rod into auto tensioner housing by placing auto tensioner assembly in a soft-jawed vise. Close vise SLOWLY to push rod back into auto tensioner housing. When pin hole in cylinder aligns with pin hole in rod, insert set pin. Replace tensioner assembly if rod can be retracted easily into housing. Install auto tensioner on engine with set pin in place.
2. Align balance shaft and crankshaft timing marks with rear cover. See Fig 1 or Fig 2 . Install timing belt "B" on sprockets. If using old belt, install belt in original direction of rotation. Ensure there is no slack in tension side of belt.
3. Install timing belt "B" tensioner so center of tensioner pulley is to the left and above of retaining bolt center. See Fig 3. Rotate tensioner inward toward timing belt until belt is tight. Tighten tensioner retaining bolt without letting tensioner pulley rotate out of position. Check belt deflection at designated area. Belt deflection should be .20-.28" (5.0-7.0 mm). Readjust timing belt if belt deflection is not within specification.
   CAUTION: Ensure tensioner pulley shaft does not rotate when bolt is tightened, or excessive pressure will be applied to timing belt.
4. Install crankshaft sensing blade (if equipped) in front of crankshaft sprocket "B", with offset in proper direction. See Fig 4. Install crankshaft sprocket "A". Apply light coat of engine oil to crankshaft sprocket bolt threads, and tighten bolt to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install idler pulley (if removed).
   CAUTION: Install crankshaft sensing blade and crankshaft sprockets in correct positions, or timing belt may be damaged.
5. Ensure camshaft, crankshaft and oil pump timing marks are still aligned. See Figure or Figure . DO NOT remove screwdriver from side of engine block until timing belt is installed.
NOTE: Intake and exhaust camshafts use same camshaft sprocket. Camshaft sprockets are provided with 2 timing marks. For exhaust camshaft sprocket, use timing mark on right with dowel pin facing up. On intake camshaft sprocket, use timing mark on the left with dowel pin hole on top.
6. Rotate camshaft sprocket so dowel pins are upward and away from cylinder head and timing marks are aligned with cylinder head surface. Timing marks should face each other. See Figure or Figure .
7. Install timing belt on intake camshaft sprocket. Install spring clip to retain timing belt on sprocket. Place a wrench on each camshaft sprocket retaining bolt. Rotate camshafts so timing marks align with each other.
8. Install timing belt over exhaust camshaft. Install spring clip to retain timing belt. Install timing belt over idler pulley, oil pump sprocket, crankshaft sprocket and tensioner pulley. Remove spring clips from camshaft sprockets.

Fig 1: Aligning Timing Belt "B" (1990-92)

Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.

Fig 2: Aligning Timing Belt "B" (1993-98)

Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 3: Installing Timing Belt "B" Tensioner

Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 4: Installing Crankshaft Sprocket & Crankshaft Sensing Blade

Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.