Camshaft Component Removal Note

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Mazda 6. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION:

Do not rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise. The timing chains may bind, causing engine damage.

Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise until the keyway is in the 9 o'clock position.

Fig 1: Identifying Keyway 9 O'Clock Position

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Slowly compress the camshaft timing chain tensioner (LH) piston by hand.
Insert an approx. 1.0 mm {0.039 in} thin wire or paper clip into the camshaft timing chain tensioner (LH) shown in the figure to hold the tensioner piston.

Fig 2: Holding Tensioner Piston
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
NOTE:
- When the timing chain removed, valve spring pressure will rotate the camshaft (LH) approx. 3° to a neutral position.
Verify that the camshafts (LH) are in the neutral position.
NOTE:
- The cylinder head and the camshaft bearing caps are numbered to make sure they are reassembled in their original position. When removed, keep the bearing caps with the cylinder head they were removed from. Do not mix the caps.
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Timing Marks
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Loosen the LH bank camshaft cap bolts in several passes in the order shown in the figure and remove the camshaft cap.

Fig 4: Identifying LH Bank Camshaft Cap Bolt Loosening Sequence

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Remove the camshaft, camshaft sprocket, camshaft timing chain, and camshaft timing chain tensioner of the LH bank as a single unit.
Slowly compress the camshaft timing chain tensioner (RH) piston by hand.
Insert an approx. 1.0 mm {0.039 in} thin wire or paper clip into the camshaft timing chain tensioner (RH) shown in the figure to hold the tensioner piston.

Fig 5: Holding Tensioner Pin (RH)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Put a wrench to the position shown in the figure on the RH bank camshaft, rotate the RH bank camshaft counterclockwise, and set the camshaft to the neutral position

Fig 6: Rotating RH Bank Camshaft
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
NOTE:
- The cylinder head and the camshaft bearing caps are numbered to make sure they are reassembled in their original position. When removed, keep the bearing caps with the cylinder head they were removed from. Do not mix the caps.
  
  Fig 7: Identifying Timing Marks
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Loosen the RH bank camshaft cap bolts in several passes in the order shown in the figure and remove the camshaft cap.

Fig 8: Identifying RH Bank Camshaft Cap Bolt Loosening Sequence

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Remove the camshaft, camshaft sprocket, camshaft timing chain, and camshaft timing chain tensioner of the RH bank as a single unit.